The idea
This project seeks to develop greener travel options. Post Covid, we have renewed appreciation for clean air and our wonderful city. Finding places to park bikes securely at home is challenge enough, but most of us need a boost to get up Mount Pleasant's steep hills.
This project seeks to set up a lockable bike shelter on an underused car park in Montpelier Tce with an ebike charger, 1 e-bike and a mountain e-trike. The project will be run by and for our local community.
Low income? No problem. You can some swap time helping to maintain the bikes and assisting with admin.
Own a bike but have nowhere to keep it safely? This bike shelter is for you too!
Haven't ridden before or recently? Rest assured. Training will be provided by Bikeability to ensure that you keep safe.
And the circular economy encourages us to share resources and buy bikes that are made to last and easy to repair.
So what are you waiting for? Sunset ice cream at the Mumbles here we come!
What we'll deliver
- a lockable bike shelter
- an installed electric charger
- 1-2 ebikes and 1-2 etrikes (if we get overfunded 2 of each)
- insurance, training and admin
- mental health, increased confidence, mobility, easier access to city centre, less traffic etc
Why it's a great idea
This project will make cycling much more accessible to the residents of Mount Pleasant.
e-biking has significant health and wellbeing benefits. (see "any other details" for a link to research findings)
Bikeability accredited training will be available to all participants.
It will be much easier to access the city centre (less parking woes) as well as other popular cultural venues and natural places in and around Swansea.
There will be easier access to the City plusTawe and Coastal cycle paths.
Cleaner air and less traffic congestion.
Having easy and affordable access to ebikes will allow people to "try before they buy" (*see "any other details" for research findings)
Access to ebikes and etrikes can help people to keep active, mobile and socially connected.
Inevitably, a community led project builds social cohesion and a sense of accomplishment, as we work together for a shared purpose.
And of course, success inspires other community ebike schemes and greening initiatives.
Steps to get it done
- Procure and instal the off-road bike hangar
- Procure and instal an electric charger
- Buy one e-bike and one e-trike (two of each as a stretch target)
- Organise insurance, maintenance and co-ordination admin
- Project launch
The first focus is on the installation of the bike shelter and echarger as this will give us a solid foundation. Next we'll buy a comfortable and easy to use ebike and an etrike with a differential axle. Any overfunding will buy another ebike and then an etrike.
So please share this far and wide - help us really get off to a flying start!
*** Research findings: Ebikes and eTrikes can open up and/or sustain a world of participation as evidenced in the The Shared Electric Bike Programme Final Report 2016. Findings include 1. Shared e-bikes can attract new riders to begin to cycling 2.E-bikes can provide health and wellbeing benefits 3. E-bikes can enable new types of trips to be made as cycling trips 4.E-bikes can enable people to reduce their car use 5. Shared e-bikes can offer affordable and convenient access to new opportunities 6. E-bikes hire supports a “try before you buy” model.https://como.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Shared-Electric-Bike-Programme-Final-Report.pdf
