Hobart’s E-bike Library has been swamped on its opening day, with the first year booked out for most of the six bikes on offer.
The overwhelming demand has prompted the City of Hobart to look for funding to add more e-bikes to the stable, including from businesses wanting to sponsor e-bikes.
A dedicated website www.hobartebikelibrary.com.au is the place to go to book an e-bike for up to two weeks.
Loaners must be Tasmanian residents, over the age of 18, have a secure place to keep the bike and pay a $500 refundable deposit.
The bikes on offer give a taste of what it’s like to ride a step-through, top-bar or e-cargo bike.
Roll Cycles, Giant Hobart and Teros have all contributed bikes at discounted prices so the City of Hobart can make its close to $20,000 climate change grant from the state government stretch as far as possible.
Child seats will be available for all the bikes and one e-cargo bike will be set up for younger children and the other for older children.
Waterproof panniers and locks will come with the bikes and loaners need to have somewhere secure they can keep the bike overnight (i.e. not on the street).
Bicycle Network is offering three-month memberships to people who loan an e-bike to cover them for the loan period and their first weeks of riding if they go on to buy an e-bike.
We are also promoting Back on your Bike sessions to new e-bike riders and our social rides program which has e-bike specific rides that focus on getting safely around Hobart.
Just head to the website and book in your two-week block for your preferred bike type and size. Bikes are picked up from Hobart Bike Hire at 1B Brooke Street, Hobart during business hours, Tuesday–Thursday and it takes about 30 minutes to do the paperwork and be fitted to your bike.
When picking up your bike remember to bring your helmet if riding it, and only transport it with an e-bike approved bike carrier.
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