The future is green - New electric bikes hit Sutton’s streets!

The fifty new electric bikes will help Sutton become a zero-carbon emissions borough in line with plans agreed by councillors this week. They will also help the Council improve local air quality by encouraging more people to use a bike and make cycling easier locally.

 

The bikes will be operated by LimeE and are an eye-catching green colour so that they are easily recognisable in the street. Electric bikes are a good option in Sutton because the borough’s hills can make cycling more difficult. If the trial is successful the number of bikes could increase. 

 

Each bike is fitted with a bell, front and rear lights and reflectors. Users can unlock and lock the bikes using a dedicated mobile phone app and the bikes will be located at ten key sites around the borough to encourage sustainable travel around Sutton.

 

Bikes are also fitted with a gyroscope and GPS tracker so that LimeE are able to identify bikes which are not upright or have been parked in areas they should not be. The locations to pick up and return the bikes have been chosen so as not to inconvenience pedestrians and residents - they do not use fixed docking stations.

 

Residents can find out more about the app here.

 

Sutton Council’s Chair of the Environment & Neighbourhood Committee, Councillor Manuel Abellan, said:

 

“These new electric bikes are just the latest part of Sutton’s ambitious plans to become one of London’s greenest boroughs.

 

“Improving local sustainable transport options and air quality will be key. In just the last few months, Sutton has seen the launch of the first-ever app-based London bus service, Brompton bikes for hire at Sutton station and we have plans for new electric vehicle charging points.  

 

“Sutton’s Cycling Strategy aims to make cycling a natural choice for people of all ages and backgrounds for more of their trips in the borough. These new electric bikes will help encourage a shift locally from cars to bikes for shorter journeys and promote cycling to a wider range of people.”