Electric Bikes could soon be available in London

Exciting news that Electric Bikes could soon be available in London. According to the Evening Standard, Mobike, a Chinese bike-sharing company has developed electric bikes for hire usage and are hoping to roll this out into the London market.

They already operate a conventional pay as you ride service and are looking to promote their new bikes that use both hybrid and full electric power, that could help travellers arrive at work “sweat free”.

The Beijing-based company hired Dutch design firm Springtime to create these new orange and grey bikes, which are described as “lightweight and comfortable”. Features include a central mobile phone holder for navigation and a seat that is adjustable with one hand.

It has two modes: pedal assistance and full electric through a power button on the handlebars. Its range is 43 miles in hybrid mode and 18 miles on full electric before needing to be recharged. The e-bike has a 12mph top speed. The speed limit for e-bikes is 15.5mph. E-bikes would be “geofenced” with GPS, like the pedal-powered versions, so riders would be fined for leaving a designated geographical area.

Mobike launched its dockless bike-sharing scheme in London last year along with Obike, but was criticised after bikes were dumped. Michael Hurwitz, TfL’s director of transport innovation, said: “it is vital that dockless operators work closely with us and the boroughs to ensure their schemes are safely and responsibly managed, so we can avoid the disruptive and dangerous clutter of abandoned bikes that we have seen in some cities around the world.”

Mobike, which charges Londoners £1 per 20 minutes to use its existing bikes, gave no indication of future e-bike fees. Electric bike riders in the UK must be over 14 years old.

More news to come!