E-bikes to be trialled on the streets of Peterborough

European e-bike and e-scooter operator Voi has been appointed to carry out the trial to gauge the demand for and the usability of the eco-friendly transport.

The trial is expected to begin in October with a small number of the dockless e-bikes that can travel between five and 10 miles.

Richard Corbett, UK general manager of Voi Technology, said the move would mean the creation of about 50 jobs and the use of a warehouse at Oundle as a maintenance and distribution hub.

The battery powered bikes would be hired through an app with their location and approved parking controlled through GPS.

Mr Corbett said a rider training school would be set up to educate people about the correct way to use and park the e-bikes in a bid to avoid problems of the bikes being dumped experienced in some European cities.

Details of the company’s plans for Peterborough came after Voi was appointed by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority on a 12-month trial basis to provide e-bikes across the region and test out e-scooters in the centre of Cambridge.

It is understood Peterborough Council will observe the e-scooter trial before a decision is made about its suitability for the city.

The Sweden based company is the fastest-growing pan-European micro mobility startup providing e-scooters and e-bikes to five million registered users. So far, Voi has achieved 20 million rides.

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Mr Corbett said: “As normal life resumes across the UK and people return to workplaces and shops, the need for quick, convenient and covid-safe transport is increasing.

“Cars no longer suit the way we live now. Sixty per cent of car journeys in the UK are between one to three miles, significantly adding to congestion.

“We estimate that one in five of these journeys across the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough region could be replaced by low-carbon e-scooters with a minimum 24 month lifespan. E-bikes and e-scooters provide a compelling alternative that will outrun the car.”

The county will be the first region in the country to roll out e-bikes and e-scooters to the public, offering the potential for fast, clean and inexpensive travel to help to ease congestion on the roads and transport networks, reduce pollution and allow for social distancing.

The announcement comes hot on the heels of the Combined Authority’s decision to spend £2.9 million to improve cycle and pedestrian facilities across the region to get more people walking and cycling.

Mayor James Palmer said: “Electric bikes and scooters have the potential to revolutionise travel and I am delighted that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will be the first region in the country to make both available to the public so they can enjoy quicker, healthier journeys.

“This year has seen a 27 per cent drop in carbon emissions and a 200 per cent increase in cycling, with people enjoying soaring air quality and fitter lifestyles, the benefits to moving away from cars and buses are clear and our investment shows we are committed rolling out a fully integrated active travel network for our region.”