Electric Cycle scheme receives award for excellence

City of York’s E-Cycle Switch scheme has won the national Modeshift award for excellence in active travel, recognising its effective promotion and encouragement of active travel in the city.

Modeshift is a not-for-profit organisation that delivers travel planning and support to professionals/organisations aiming to promote and grow levels of active and sustainable travel for businesses and communities.

The award recognises the effectiveness of E-Cycle Switch in making cycling accessible to everyone living, studying or working in York, as part of the annual Modeshift National Sustainable Travel Awards. 

Planned and delivered by the council’s iTravel team, E-Cycle Switch offers residents the opportunity to borrow an e-cycle from a participating local bike shop for a 7-day trial.

Bike shops involved in the scheme are:

• The Electric Transport Shop
• Giant Store York
• Liv York
• Cycle Heaven
• Halfords
• Get Cycling CiC

Applicants are then eligible for a discount on the e-cycle and child carrying equipment from the participating bike stores, supported by the DfT’s E-Cycle Extension fund.

Applicants with disabilities or mobility issues also have the chance to trial an inclusive e-cycle suited to their mobility and accessibility requirements.

Cllr Andy D’Agorne, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Transport said: 

We are thrilled to win this award and well done to everyone who was shortlisted. That there was such a wide breadth of incredible projects highlights what a special city York is.

“We know that York residents want to make sustainable lifestyle choices and help to reduce congestion and pollution. We wanted to offer them more opportunities to consider low-carbon options for getting around the city. E-cycles present a great option for those not yet confident to cycle regularly and those considering cycling for those longer commutes and journeys.”

When asked about the benefits of the scheme, a participating resident replied that:

“We’d been thinking about getting an electric bicycle for a while, and the E-Cycle Switch scheme was a helpful and supportive way to do so. After the trial was finished, we purchased an e-cycle and it’s a huge hit with the whole family.

“Having an e-bike is like having a car, we can cover long distances with little effort – the extra power definitely made cycling with a child much easier!”