Micro-mobility operator Bolt will launch two new shared electric bike schemes in Wexford Town and Bray in Spring 2023.
There are 200 electric bikes earmarked for the year-long pilots with up to 100 in each town. Bray will form the first Irish location where the Bolt app provides both taxis and eBikes.
Bolt has previously previously earmarked up to €5m in its bid to roll out electric bike operations across Irish cities and towns with up to 2000 bikes available to deploy immediately as required.
It said since launching shared mobility schemes in the summer of 2022 in Sligo and Kilkenny, over 105,000 km have been travelled on Bolt's eBikes.
The Government recently committed to promoting e-mobility solutions in cities and towns and will be relying on such schemes to provide essential alternatives for commuters as Demand Management solutions are considered in the coming year.
Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District, Cllr Erika Doyle, said, "With a number of cycle schemes planned for the area, such as linking the stunning seafront and harbour area with neighbouring Dun Laoghaire Rathdown and a cycle link planned with Greystones, Bray is the perfect location for a shared electric bike scheme. Aside from being a sustainable alternative to car trips, electric bikes can offer a more accessible option for many. They can also assist when tackling some of Bray's hilly stretches. The simpler and more convenient we can make accessing electric bikes, the more likely people are to use them."
Bolt Operations Manager for Rentals in Ireland, John Buckley, said, they are excited to take Bolt to the East Coast, and are working closely with Wicklow and Wexford County Councils to roll out the service as soon as possible.
