A fleet of e-bikes and e-cargo bikes made their debut in Aberystwyth this autumn.

This September the E-move pilot project, which will run until 2023, was launched in Aberystwyth by Sustrans, a charity hoping to make it easier for people to cycling and walk.

While the initial Aberystwyth scheme was just e-cargo bikes, two e-bikes and one e-Brompton bike arrived alongside the originally planned four e-cargo bikes. On Monday, one more e-bike joined the fleet.

The E-cargo bikes are built to carry larger, heavier loads, on two wheels, offering the potential to reduce van traffic. One of the e-cargo bikes is currently housed at the Ceredigion County Council offices and another at Aber Food Surplus, after both organisations signed up to the scheme.

The other e-cargo bikes were delivered about two weeks ago and are still waiting to be placed. Two more e-cargo bikes are due to join the fleet in the future.

Earlier this month, Aberystwyth University also signed up to the scheme and is hoping to have a bike on site.

The bikes are leased to businesses or organisations for up to three months, but can still be used by individuals while housed at these sites.

One individual used an e-cargo bike to transport his Christmas tree over the weekend.

The three e-bikes and one e-Brompton bikes are currently leased out to individuals and can be rented for up to a month.

Sustrans Liveable Cities and Towns Officer Sioned Lewis said: “It’s all about eligibility, we’re trying to target lower income demographics for health and wellbeing, perhaps someone who is rehabilitating after an injury. They can also be used to tackle isolation and a lack of transportation.”

Sioned brought the third e-bike to Aberystwyth on Monday: “I went to Newtown on Monday to get an e-bike back. We’re hoping that will be going up to the Penparcau Hub.

“I’ve had initial conversations with them about having a pool bike for the residents of Penparcau – a specific bike to hopefully connect the residents of Penparcau to the town, particularly for food shopping.

“The e-Brompton bike that is already here is more for anyone who’s got to do a multimodal journey, say if you’re going on the train to Bow Street and then to IBERS. So you can fold it up and put it on the bus or train. Living in rural Wales, you can easily be a mile from your nearest bus stop.”

Sioned says the scheme has been well received: “There’s definitely been a good demand in this area. Everyone is really enthusiastic.

“When I’m out cycling them – because I have to cycle them around to places – people are really interested in them. You don’t tend to see them around.”

Sioned is hoping to hold give-it-a-go sessions on Aberystwyth Prom in the spring.

Currently the scheme has set up stations in up Aberystwyth, Newtown, Swansea, Rhyl, and Barry.

For more information or to loan a bike, please contact Sioned on [email protected].