Reaction to Spalding and Pinchbeck 'city style' e-bike idea

Campaigners have welcomed a proposed e-bike trial - but believe a change in mentality will be needed to make the scheme work.

This paper recently reported on the plan, one of the ideas mentioned in a scrutiny report.

It was hoped these e-bikes - which can be seen in many cities, where they can be used by the public when needed - could be a way of getting workers to industrial sites in Spalding which are not on public transport routes, as well as for general use to cut down on traffic.

David Jones of cycling campaign group Pedals believes education would be key to getting the public to warm to the scheme.

“The main thing is to get people feeling safe on two wheels,” he said.

“They did this in the Netherlands in the 1960s, they realised cars were swamping the place and they managed to make a huge difference.

“We need to persuade people that, when they turn 17 it’s not a case of ‘I’ll never use my bicycle again’.”

However, Mr Jones does have some reservations, recalling problems suffered by e-bikes in other areas of the country.

“The unfortunate thing is, in this wonderful country of ours, you seem to end up with bikes in rivers,” he added.

“They’re left there without the offender being traceable.”

George Scott of the Spalding and Peterborough Transport Forum would also like to see a reduction on car use, but believes others will need to be convinced.

“I go round Spalding daily and see loads of cars parked on roads which have nothing to do with the buildings they’re in,” he said. “Bikes would be great, but it’s persuading people to use the bikes, and almost how much they’d cost to use daily. I don’t think they’re going to be free.

“It’s got to be looked into, but you’ve got to look into how they’ll be secured when they’re not used, or when they have been used that they’re not just going to be left outside shops, or whatever.”

Mr Scott agrees that education will be important in getting people to take any proposed plan on board.

“The biggest thing is that you’ve got to persuade people that it’s a good idea,” he continued.

“We need to be informed who they’re aiming them at. Parents won’t hire a bike to take kids to school, but parking in Spalding’s getting ridiculous and with all the new houses going up we’ll have twice as many cars.

“They may think ‘I might as well just buy my own bicycle’.”

*What do you think? Post your comments below or email andrew.brookes@iliffepublishing.co.uk