E-bikes supplied to Gov employees for "work-related" travel

Wednesday 10 May 2023

A new pilot scheme will encourage Government employees to use electric bikes for "work-related" travel.

The States of Jersey has launched a three-month scheme with EVie, which will see the electric transport provider supply a pool of electric 'BlueBikes', helmets, locks, and high-vis vests.

These will be available in a number of locations where Government employees are based including Broad Street, Howard Davis Farm, Highlands College, La Moye Prison, JCG, and D'Auvergne Primary School.

The scheme aims to provide a low-carbon alternative to pool or private car and forms part of the 'Decarbonising the Government' programme.

This programme, established in 2022 under the Carbon Neutral Roadmap, works to reduce the Government's carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 with both immediate and long-term solutions. Its four-year budget is £1.26 million, drawn from the Climate Emergency Fund.

It engages employees to make low-carbon choices in their day-to-day work, decision making, and commute.

Pictured: Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf takes an EVie e-bike for a ride.

The Government's workforce is one of the largest in the island, with a recent report revealing that the civil service had expanded its employee numbers to 7,904 over the past year – the highest number yet.

The Government has already transitioned 252 (37.8%) of its diesel vehicles to Second Generation Renewable Diesel (SGRD) and invested in 75 electric vehicles.
It is estimated that this will reduce carbon emissions by 500 tonnes CO2e in 2023.

The Government will also continue to grow the electric vehicle share of their fleet in the coming years, along with establishing a right-sized charging infrastructure.

Other initiatives include using low-carbon technologies in building improvements and increasing staff awareness of carbon-saving activities.

You can email decarb@gov.je to get in touch about the programme.