Bradford Council has ambitious plans to launch an E-Bike hire scheme that will be operational in Spring 2025 to coincide with the UK City of Culture.
A report on the proposed E-Bike scheme, will go to the Council’s Executive to be approved on Tuesday 3 September 2024, sets out the plans to reinvest Clean Air Zone revenue to promote cycling, encourage modal shift, reduce short distance travel by private car and improve air quality and health.
Revenue from the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) can only be invested in line with the terms of the Charging Schemes Order (CSO) which forms the legal basis for the CAZ and includes provision for the use of net proceeds to support sustainable transport schemes and the Council has allocated funding already to promote an increase in cycling in a range of schools through the CAZ funded Clean Air School Programme (CASP). The order allows the council to use net proceeds from the CAZ and is therefore at no additional cost to the council or council taxpayer.
There is a strong evidence base collected from CoMoUK, a national organisation for shared transport Annual Bike Share Report user surveys to demonstrate that bike share schemes encourage people to take up or return to cycling, facilitate modal shift from car, improve air quality and reduce CO2e emissions, complement public transport services and promote improved health and wellbeing of the users.
“The future for Bradford district is exciting as the sustainable transport systems are improving across the district with cycling playing a significant role in achieving our net zero aims,” said Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places. “Several cycle network schemes will be coming to fruition to coincide with the launch of the E-Bike Hire Scheme providing cycle infrastructure for residents, workers and visitors to the district. We are therefore pleased to bring forward these plans to use CAZ funds to offer an E-Bike hire scheme. We want everyone to be able to utilise the opportunities to enjoy active travel. To have the scheme up and running for the UK City of Culture year is really exciting.”
Bradford Council will be following CoMoUK guidance for local authorities to increase the sustainability of bike hire schemes. This includes an integrated approach from Highways Authorities as part of net zero infrastructure roll-out, potential inter-operability with adjacent schemes such as Leeds, support from scheme partners and integrated event opportunities such as UK City of Culture.
The Clean Air Schools Programme was the first scheme launched with CAZ funding and has seen schools in the district reducing their exposure to air pollution and encouraging children and parents to utilise active travel options. Projects include cycle storage, safe bike paths, bike servicing, learn to ride schemes for parents and children, creating active travel maps and understanding safe routes to cycle to school.
