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‘We need to encourage the culture more’: E-bike rental stations coming to P.E.I. public hotspots

A brand new public electrical bike rental program is at present within the works for Charlottetown, however extra work is required if the province plans to satisfy the aim of net-zero emissions. 

This system is a part of town’s technique to remain according to the provincial aim of net-zero greenhouse gasoline emissions by 2030, Scott Adams, supervisor of public works for town of Charlottetown, advised SaltWire Community throughout an interview on Sept. 6.

“It’s simply one other method to encourage extra sustainable alternate modes of journey apart from a typical gas-powered automobile.” 

The system will work by having a number of station racks round city, the place customers can lease a motorbike utilizing an app for as much as a number of hours, after which they’ll return the bike at any public station. 

Stratford can be integrating this system, which is able to see bike stations put in in public areas, akin to grocery shops and enterprise fronts.

About 60 per cent of all carbon emissions within the province comes from transportation. The town hopes this program will assist in decreasing the carbon footprint in city areas. 

A number of main Canadian cities, akin to Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, have began providing comparable applications – which have develop into in style – over the previous few years. 
In P.E.I., further infrastructure, akin to extra and longer bike lanes, was wanted earlier than the undertaking may very well be mentioned.

One of the very few public bike racks in Charlottetown. Some residents feel there is not enough infrastructure for cyclists in Charlottetown. - Rafe Wright
One of many only a few public bike racks in Charlottetown. Some residents really feel there may be not sufficient infrastructure for cyclists in Charlottetown. – Rafe Wright

However with parking and lack of area within the downtown space changing into an rising situation in recent times, the place to place the stations continues to be the query. 

“Each province has its challenges, however there’s a workable answer,” stated Adams. 

Each Stratford and Charlottetown have spent the final a number of years working to make their streets extra accessible to cyclists, akin to fortifying the bike lane on the Hillsborough Bridge and including extra public locking racks and lanes.

“We’re beginning to get to the purpose that we’ve some nice infrastructure on the market. Now we’re on the level the place we’ve to encourage folks to make use of it,” Adams stated. 

Frank MacEachern, proprietor of Rising Tides Electrical Bicycle store on Queen Avenue, advised SaltWire Community on Sept. 6 that extra infrastructure is required if town needs folks to put money into e-bikes. 

“The very first thing that involves thoughts is that is extraordinarily untimely,” stated MacEachern.

The issue is a number of bike lanes in Charlottetown finish with out warning as soon as they attain the freeway. This leaves many individuals afraid to be on a bicycle in Charlottetown as a result of the proximity to quick site visitors is simply too intimidating. 

A public bike rack that was removed on Queen Street near the Charlottetown waterfront. - Rafe Wright
A public bike rack that was eliminated on Queen Avenue close to the Charlottetown waterfront. – Rafe Wright

In North America, most cities have been constructed with vehicles in thoughts. If the federal government expects to get to net-zero, more cash is required, in addition to a shift within the public mindset, stated MacEachern. 

 “We’ve torn down massive components of outdated cities that have been designed for folks and constructed expressways to accommodate site visitors. What that does is encourage extra site visitors,” he stated. 

Many of the bike racks in town are falling apart or blocked, as seen here near Founders Food Hall and Market in Charlottetown on Sept. 6. - Rafe Wright
Lots of the bike racks on the town are falling aside or blocked, as seen right here close to Founders Meals Corridor and Market in Charlottetown on Sept. 6. – Rafe Wright

Avid bicycle owner Mitch Underhay, who bikes within the Charlottetown and Cornwall space ceaselessly, agrees that if town needs folks to maneuver in direction of the inexperienced know-how, extra infrastructure is required first. 

For an e-bike program to achieve success, there must be a spot for folks to trip safely, and in Charlottetown, there are merely not sufficient lanes, he advised SaltWire Community on Sept. 6.


“I feel it’s the future, and it’s what’s finest for the atmosphere, however I additionally assume we have to guarantee that we’ve the infrastructure in place and that we’re sustaining it adequately earlier than we launch a fleet of e-bikes in Charlottetown.” 

– Mitch Underhay


Mitch Underhay, an avid cyclist from P.E.I., said he thinks more infrastructure, such as new roads and improved bike lanes are necessary if the program is to be successful. - Contributed
Mitch Underhay, an avid bicycle owner from P.E.I., stated he thinks extra infrastructure, akin to new roads and improved bike lanes are mandatory if this system is to achieve success. – Contributed

The answer is to have enjoyable with it, he added. 

“As a result of individuals are used to utilizing vehicles, they’re extra hesitant as a result of they see it as folks telling them, change their habits,” he stated. 

“It’s good for you, it’s good for the atmosphere, It’s good for every little thing. I feel we have to encourage that tradition extra.” 

This system continues to be within the preliminary part. The general public works committee has already accredited the undertaking, and Stratford and Charlottetown are actually looking for help from the atmosphere and sustainability committee of P.E.I. to maneuver ahead. 

The hope is to get requests for proposals inside the subsequent month or two, because the plan is to implement this system beginning subsequent summer time.  

Rafe Wright is a Native Journalism Initiative reporter, a place coated by the federal authorities. He writes about local weather change points for the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island and will be reached by electronic mail at [email protected] and adopted on Twitter @wright542.



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