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You are here: Home / Electric Bike Advocacy / The First Electric Bike Sharing Program in the US

The First Electric Bike Sharing Program in the US

April 7, 2011 by Pete 7 Comments

Would you like to "borrow" an electric bike?

Imagine this: Instead of owning an electric bike you are able to “borrow” one for a while to run errands or just cruz around town.  After you are done using the bike you return it to an electric bike sharing station and you go on your way.

This idea is very similar to the Zip Car concept.  In fact there are a number of traditional bike sharing programs around the world, but now there is an electric bike sharing program being tested in the US at the University of Tennessee.

I am excited about this because it is being tested at a university campus (a great place for e-bikes) to determine the pros and cons of running an electric bike sharing program.  The use of electric bikes adds some complexity (battery charging) as well as some conveniences (e-bikes allow more people to ride bikes).

The combination of mass transit (bus, train, subway, etc.) with electric bike sharing stations at convenient locations could provide a nice alternative to driving a car.  This type of program could work well if you are visiting a city and need a way to get around quickly.

I am also excited to see something like this going on because it will give people a chance to experience how useful electric bikes can be in a real life situation instead of just a test ride around the block.

Bike sharing programs have had their challenges in the past with vandalism and theft but it looks like the University of Tennessee is aware of that and will work on solutions to these problems.

The electric bikes they are using are Izip’s from Currie Technologies and they will also be testing some traditional bicycles from Marin Bikes.

Check out the project’s website for more information on this exciting new program!

What do you think?  Do you think an electric bike sharing program could work in your city or town?  Would you like to have easy access to borrowing an electric bike for a while?

Please leave your comments or questions below.

Thanks!

-Pete

P.S. Don’t forget to join the Electric Bike Report community for updates from the electric bike world, plus ebike riding and maintenance tips!

Related

Filed Under: Electric Bike Advocacy Tagged With: currie technologies, electric bike sharing, izip, marin

Comments

  1. Trek Navigator says

    April 7, 2011 at 8:46 pm

    Absolutely a Great idea to give the e bike exposure as a alternative to the metal box with 4 rubber wheels

    Reply
    • Pete at Electric Bike Report says

      April 13, 2011 at 8:01 pm

      I totally agree!

      Reply
  2. ThierryF says

    November 8, 2012 at 11:33 pm

    Hi Pete,
    Thank you for the news …
    Hope it will follow the usual bike sharing system succes who is installed in many big ciies in the world.
    There is few EBike sharing system like this one in Europe too.
    Regards
    Thierry

    Reply
  3. Tardivat Franck says

    December 5, 2012 at 8:56 am

    Hi Pete,
    Check our website, we are a small Swiss Co specialized in E.Bike sharing. We have E-Bike sharing stations in Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Spain and Italy.

    It works and hence is a global innner city fast reliable and eco-friendly means of transportation.

    Do not hesitate to contact us, should you need any info.

    Franck

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Electric Bike Charging Station Guide | Electric Bike Report says:
    June 4, 2011 at 10:55 am

    […] University of Tennessee is working on an electric bike sharing program.   They have a design for a battery charging “vending machine” and they are using […]

    Reply
  2. Electric Bike Sharing in San Francisco! | Electric Bike Report | Electric Bike, Ebikes, Electric Bicycles, E Bike, Reviews says:
    February 7, 2012 at 10:50 am

    […] and e-bike sharing, the University of Tennessee is currently experimenting with their own electric bike sharing […]

    Reply
  3. VIDEO! Electric Bike Sharing Program with Solar Charging Station at University of Tennessee | Electric Bike Report | Electric Bike, Ebikes, Electric Bicycles, E Bike, Reviews says:
    June 20, 2012 at 5:25 pm

    […] Make sure you check out more information on the University of Tennessee electric bike sharing program here. […]

    Reply

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