Stoke-on-Trent City Council has approved plans for a new e-bike hire scheme that could see up to 1,000 e-bikes installed across the six towns. The cabinet decision was made on Tuesday 11 August.

The scheme would offer residents a convenient and affordable alternative to the car for short trips around the city. The council will operate it through a concession model, with an external operator responsible for providing, maintaining and managing the bikes at no cost to the council.

Why e-bikes for Stoke-on-Trent?

Around 70 per cent of car journeys are under five miles, with 25 per cent covering less than one mile. E-bikes could provide an alternative for some of these trips, potentially reducing congestion and improving air quality.

The bikes would make cycling more accessible to people travelling longer distances or tackling hilly routes. They could help residents travel to town centres, workplaces, education settings and public transport hubs.

Part of wider transport investment

The e-bike scheme is part of a wider transport programme. Stoke-on-Trent City Council has secured more than £105 million in government funding for transport between 2026-30, including investment in buses, roads and better cycling and walking routes.

Learning from other cities

Similar hire schemes are already operating across the UK. Glasgow's e-bike scheme, which launched in November, recorded 170,000 journeys during its first five months.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure, planning and regeneration, said: "We want to give residents more convenient and affordable choices for travelling around the city. Many everyday car journeys are relatively short. E-bikes could offer a practical alternative for some of those trips, helping people travel to work, education, town centres and public transport connections. The scheme would be provided and maintained by an experienced operator at no cost to the council, with clear arrangements in place to ensure it is safe, well managed and works for our communities."

What happens next

The council will now start a competitive procurement process to appoint an operator to set up and run the scheme. The scheme will be monitored by the city council to ensure it is safe and effective.