Bolt has announced the launch of two shared electric bike schemes in Wexford town and Bray this spring, bringing its Irish fleet to 400 e-bikes across four schemes.
Each of the new schemes will include 100 e-bikes, and their launch follows the commencement of similar schemes by the mobility company in Kilkenny and Sligo last year.
Bolt users have travelled over 105,000km on the firm's e-bikes since the launch of the two schemes, and the company estimates that 14,800km in car trips and 1,545kg of CO2 have been saved as a result.
The Estonian-founded company previously earmarked up to €5m in its bid to roll out electric bike operations across Irish cities and towns, with up to 2,000 bikes available to deploy immediately as required.
“We’re very excited to take Bolt to the East Coast, and we’re working closely with Wicklow and Wexford County Councils to roll out the service as soon as possible," said John Buckley, operations manager for rentals in Ireland at Bolt.
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"Bolt’s shared electric bike offerings in both Sligo and Kilkenny are proving extremely popular and our user surveys show our eBikes are reducing the reliance on private cars and supporting the national Climate Action Plan.
"One user has clocked up over 400 rides alone and we expect to see similar levels of utilisation on the East Coast."
The government recently committed to promoting 'e-mobility' solutions such as e-bikes and e-scooters in towns and cities, with such schemes providing an alternative for commuters.
Bolt said it is in talks with "several other councils" about e-bike schemes, and the company is keen to add e-scooters to its operations when long-touted legislation is passed.
"With a number of cycle schemes planned for the area, such as linking the stunning seafront and harbour area with neighbouring Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and a cycle link planned with Greystones, Bray is the perfect location for a shared electric bike scheme," said Cllr Erika Doyle, Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District.
"Aside from being a sustainable alternative to car trips, electric bikes can offer a more accessible option for many. They can also assist when tackling some of Bray’s hilly stretches.
"The simpler and more convenient we can make accessing electric bikes, the more likely people are to use them. I’m delighted that both local residents and visitors to the town will soon have the option to avail of Bolt’s eBikes."
Claire Goodwin, cycling & walking officer of Wexford County Council, said: “Wexford County Council is delighted to provide local residents and visitors with a sustainable mode of transport.
"We are seeing a real enthusiasm for making the change from private car use if there is a convenient and affordable alternative. With the introduction of Bolt's Bikes on a trial basis for Wexford town, we hope people will try them out and perhaps change how they travel, where possible”
Bolt services are used by over 100m people in 50 countries in Europe and Africa. The company also offers a ride-hailing service in Dublin and Cork.
(Pic: Bolt)
