Leeds City Council’s executive board will discuss introducing a public e-bike hire scheme in the city, with a report to approve a minimum £2m funding bid set to be debated on 09 February.
Senior councillors will look to approve the application of the scheme, including the approach to the design, delivery, and operation.
The scheme aims to ensure a low carbon mobility choice is available throughout Leeds, with e-bikes serving routes and locations that would benefit most from the service.
If successful, a network of approximately 630 e-bikes located across 140 docking stations will be introduced. The proposed area for the early phases of the scheme will include the city centre and key corridors identified where demand is highest.
The council added initial delivery will be close to the existing network of segregated cycle routes in Leeds city centre and surrounding areas, with expansion expected during future roll out phases.
However, the procurement process will allow potential public bike operators to submit a bid that includes other areas.
Additionally, the council will propose a variety of ways to pay for hire of e-bikes, such as pay-as-you go, monthly and corporate memberships with the potential to integrate with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority MCard.
Councillor Helen Hayden, executive member for infrastructure and climate, said: “We want Leeds to be a city where you don’t need to own car and a key part of that is expanding and supporting our cycling network. Cycling is a great way to travel for short journeys, as well as long, and this proposal will make it easier for people to make that change.
“Introducing an e-bike scheme will send a strong message, to the public and businesses, that Leeds is a modern, forward-looking city and is serious about tackling the climate emergency.
“I appreciate however, e-bikes are more expensive to purchase than conventional bikes and therefore for the public to be able to access low-cost, easy access e-bikes through a docked, public electric bike hire scheme will give everyone the opportunity.”
It is expected the infrastructure will be publicly funded through the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) and operated by an external bike hire organisation.