- eBikes hit the ground in Bristol, the first city to launch the scheme
- The scheme is the first of its kind and will recruit and retrain unemployed and vulnerable people in local communities
- The scheme is in partnership with Norwegian micromobility company, ShareBike
Today (Tuesday, 1st February), The Big Issue Group, in partnership with ShareBike, has launched a national eBikes scheme, with Bristol being the first city to see bikes on the ground.
The eco-friendly eBikes will be launched in Bristol first, with a wider-UK rollout to follow, the scheme will boost green employment opportunities and transport options in smaller cities and towns across the UK.
The Big Issue eBikes scheme is the first of its kind and will recruit and retrain unemployed and vulnerable people in local communities and provide them with access to support and services to improve their lives. All employees will be paid a Living Wage.
The scheme is also designed to meet environmental needs and encourage healthy living in each location, by reducing congestion and encouraging people to cycle, rather than drive – as even the small changes people make towards living eco-friendly lives can make a difference.
Big Issue eBikes will also directly benefit Bristol’s Clean Air plan by providing a genuine alternative to car use. This is important, as currently over 80 per cent of Bristol’s pollution has been shown to be from local traffic sources. The estimated benefit for Bristol with a scheme of around 500 bikes is a direct reduction of 1,900 car trips a day.
The scheme will be launched with a £450,000 investment from City Funds, a Bristol-based impact investment fund run by Bristol & Bath Regional Capital (BBRC).