Bristol Big Issue e-bikes: Rental scheme stopped over ‘extensive and relentless levels of vandalism’

‘Extensive and relentless levels of vandalism’ have forced Big Issue to pause its rental e-bike service in Bristol, the group announced today (August 18).

Organisers say the current rate of damage caused to its 200 e-bikes on the city streets mean the entire fleet is vandalised every two weeks.

And they say more e-bikes are destroyed in Bristol in one week than at all its facilities combined across the world.

It has led Big Issue to pause its rental e-bike service in Bristol from this weekend.

The scheme was launched back in February as part of a bid to encourage active travel, reduce congestion and slash 1,900 car trips in Bristol alone, boosting the city’s Clean Air plan.

More than 7,000 people signed up to use the service.

But today, in a statement Big Issue said: “It is with sincere regret that we are announcing a pause to our current open, public-rental e-bike service in Bristol, from the coming weekend (20/ 21 August).

“Since we launched in the city six months ago, we have experienced extensive and relentless levels of vandalism to our e-bikes.

“We have taken many measures to try to overcome this issue, including making changes to the design of the e-bikes and trying to work with the local authorities, the police and our subscriber community.

“Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, the vandalism has not reduced. Having begun with a fleet of over 400, we currently have around 200 e-bikes on the street and approximately 10% of these are damaged every day. In practice, this means that our entire fleet is vandalised every two weeks.

“We have more e-bikes destroyed in Bristol in one week than in all our facilities combined anywhere else in the world.”

The Big Issue scheme offered bikes for hire through the Big Issue eBike App. A monthly subscription costs £19.95/month and gives unlimited rides up to 10 minutes per ride.

There is also a pay-as-you-go option which requires a £10 deposit and 50p to get started and then is charged at 20p per minute up to a maximum of £12 for the day.

As well as offering rides across the city, the scheme aimed to support unemployed or vulnerable people back into skilled work.

And it was launched with a £450,000 investment from City Funds, a Bristol-based impact investment fund run by Bristol & Bath Regional Capital.

The Big Issue statement continued: “It is disappointing that the actions of a minority of people means we are left with no choice but to pause the current scheme.

“This is not a decision we have made lightly. Big Issue eBikes was set up as a not-for-profit partnership between Norwegian micro mobility experts ShareBike and the Big Issue to deliver ‘biking for good’ in Bristol – providing sustainable and affordable electric cycling in the city whilst creating job opportunities and training for long-term unemployed people.

“Bristol was chosen as the first city in the UK to offer the service because of its green credentials and aspirations.”

The group now plans to offer an alternative service with businesses and individuals offered long-term rental of the electric bikes.

While bosses will also urge the city council and police to explore ways to bring back the rental service.

The statement warned: “It is clear to us that if this issue is not fixed with our e-bikes, Bristol will be a no-go zone for all providers looking to introduce e-bike options.”