EVie bikes go to Africa after Guernsey scheme scrapped

Tuesday 04 April 2023

The EVie electric bike rental scheme is being scrapped in Guernsey because the island's infrastructure isn't up to scratch, the company says - and the cycles are now heading to Africa.

The seasonal initiative - which runs using an app - has only been running on the island since April 2021.

Despite the popularity of the scheme, which resulted in more bikes being delivered from Jersey later in 2021, the firm said that it would not be viable to bring them back this summer.

"We have looked very hard at establishing a permanent base for a local dockless electric bike business but in order to cover the fixed costs, we would require a significant improvement in permanent public realm shared-mobility infrastructure," said Guernsey-based EVie Director Barrie Duerden.

Pictured: 25 bikes arrived in Guernsey over the Easter weekend in 2021.

"We continue to work with the States of Guernsey to assist them in creating the necessary environment for shared bike and car mobility to flourish, particularly as our experience in Jersey shows that it can be successful.”

The company will instead focus on growing its van hire arm of the business instead, which is a joint venture between EVie and Guernsey Post.

The old fleet of bikes - described as being "at the end of their life" by Mr Duerden - will now be donated to Guernsey-based development charity The Eleanour Foundation "to start a second life in Tanzania".