Hobart residents now have access to the city’s first public e-bike charging stations, which were recently unveiled at the Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre.
The two charging bays, which are situated near the Aquatic Centre entrance and came at a cost of $34,000, are free to use and can also be used to charge e-scooters and other personal mobility devices.
Council say the Aquatic Centre was chosen as the location for the charging bays to encourage a ‘diverse range of transport’ to the centre.
Bill Harvey, Chair of Hobart’s Sustainability in Infrastructure Portfolio, says the e-bike charging stations are another positive step in the Sustainable Hobart Plan and the Hobart Transport Strategy.
“Projects like this give another reason for residents to leave the car at home and make it easier to use alternative transport,” he said.
“This helps free up our arterial roads from traffic congestion and provides a viable, healthier alternative to driving.”
The chargers are connected to a network where data on usage will be recorded to assist in determining if further e-bike chargers will be installed in the future.
Bicycle Network Public Affairs Manager – Tasmania, Alison Hetherington, has welcomed the new infrastructure.
“Public e-bike charging facilities are a welcome step in encouraging more people to ride for transport,” she said.
“Most e-bike trips can be made without extra charging, but they will be useful for people who forget to charge their bike, commuters and tourists riding long distances and bikes with low battery capacity.
The availability of the e-bike chargers is expected to encourage more people to leave their cars at home and consider alternative modes of transport.
