E-Bike Share Feasibility Study

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Consultation has concluded

Project Update – January 23, 2024: The E-Bike Share Feasibility Study has been completed, and the City is now working on an implementation plan to bring a city-wide e-bike share program to New West. City Council approved the implementation plan at its January 22 meeting. Click here to review the reports and meeting recording.

The feasibility study recommended the City hire a private company to install and operate the e-bike share system. Next steps include a procurement process to select a recommended operator and Council’s review of the selected operator. City staff are currently estimating that an e-bike share program could launch in summer 2024.


Project Update - August 24, 2023: The What We Heard Engagement Summary report is now available! Click here to read about the engagement process, a summary of the survey results, and other input received through engagement with key groups. Some of the survey results are also included below.

An implementation plan for an e-bike sharing service in New Westminster is now under development and is expected to come to Council in fall 2023 for consideration of endorsement. Following Council’s endorsement, staff would commence work to procure an e-bike sharing system.

Check back on this page for updates!



Emerging from the priority actions of the eMobility Strategy, Master Transportation Plan, and Active Transportation Network, the City of New Westminster is currently considering the potential for a city-wide electric bike share program. 

As part of the City’s work to determine if such a program would be possible in New West, we are now checking in with the community on a couple of questions intended to help inform the business model and financial assessment, as well as the implementation plan for a New West-based e-bike share program. 

We anticipate finalizing the implementation plan this fall and bringing it to City Council for their endorsement.

E-bike share programs provide a network of electric bicycles available to rent and ride. Users unlock the bicycles, typically via a smartphone app, ride them, and then lock them in designated areas at the end of their trip. Riders are typically charged per ride and per-minute fees to use this service.

A feasibility study is underway, which has so far included a technical feasibility assessment, a plan and policy review, best practice and peer city review, and baseline conditions assessment. 

The key findings of the technical feasibility assessment are:

  • E-bike share is a City priority
  • Local and Provincial policies support shared micro-mobility
  • There are potential partners in the region
  • A shared micro-mobility program should provide equitable access
  • E-scooters may be a future shared micro-mobility option

Click here for more details about these key findings.

The Initial Program Recommendations of the technical feasibility assessment are:

Category
Recommendation
System Type

Dockless, with designated parking areas: A dockless bike share system does not require bikes to be parked at a docking station at the end of a trip. Designated parking areas ensure parked bicycles do not block sidewalks, trails, or roads for other users. A dockless system has low start-up costs, limiting upfront infrastructure costs to the City in preparation for an operator to launch an e-bike share system.
Fleet Type

E-bikes: Due to the city’s steep topography, e-bikes are recommended over pedal bikes. Multiple private operators already offer shared e-bikes in Lower Mainland communities. E-scooters are not currently permitted in New Westminster as per the Motor Vehicle Act and therefore are not recommended at this time.

Ownership Model

Muncipally-permitted, privately owned and operated: In this ownership model the City will develop rules and regulations for e-bike share and oversee the program, while the bikes and applications will be owned and operated by a third party. The majority of shared micro-mobility programs in BC utilize this model, which helps to minimize the City’s capital investments and the staff time needed to oversee a program. New Westminster can look to the District of North Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver, the District of West Vancouver, the City of Richmond, and the City of Vernon for documents and policy examples of this model. A permit program with a privately owned and operated fleet of e-bikes could also easily expand to a regional program with neighboring municipalities, as additional jurisdictions would not need to purchase equipment and can adopt similar or identical permit regulations as New Westminster.


How can I engage?

We are keen to hear from residents of New Westminster on their experiences with bike sharing in other cities, how they might use a bike-sharing system in New Westminster, and their thoughts on the initial program recommendations.

Click here to take our short survey and share your experiences and thoughts. The survey is open until July 10, 2023.

The results from this initial engagement will help inform the business model, financial assessment, and implementation plan. At the conclusion of the feasibility study, staff expect to bring the implementation plan to Council for their endorsement.

Project Update – January 23, 2024: The E-Bike Share Feasibility Study has been completed, and the City is now working on an implementation plan to bring a city-wide e-bike share program to New West. City Council approved the implementation plan at its January 22 meeting. Click here to review the reports and meeting recording.

The feasibility study recommended the City hire a private company to install and operate the e-bike share system. Next steps include a procurement process to select a recommended operator and Council’s review of the selected operator. City staff are currently estimating that an e-bike share program could launch in summer 2024.


Project Update - August 24, 2023: The What We Heard Engagement Summary report is now available! Click here to read about the engagement process, a summary of the survey results, and other input received through engagement with key groups. Some of the survey results are also included below.

An implementation plan for an e-bike sharing service in New Westminster is now under development and is expected to come to Council in fall 2023 for consideration of endorsement. Following Council’s endorsement, staff would commence work to procure an e-bike sharing system.

Check back on this page for updates!



Emerging from the priority actions of the eMobility Strategy, Master Transportation Plan, and Active Transportation Network, the City of New Westminster is currently considering the potential for a city-wide electric bike share program. 

As part of the City’s work to determine if such a program would be possible in New West, we are now checking in with the community on a couple of questions intended to help inform the business model and financial assessment, as well as the implementation plan for a New West-based e-bike share program. 

We anticipate finalizing the implementation plan this fall and bringing it to City Council for their endorsement.

E-bike share programs provide a network of electric bicycles available to rent and ride. Users unlock the bicycles, typically via a smartphone app, ride them, and then lock them in designated areas at the end of their trip. Riders are typically charged per ride and per-minute fees to use this service.

A feasibility study is underway, which has so far included a technical feasibility assessment, a plan and policy review, best practice and peer city review, and baseline conditions assessment. 

The key findings of the technical feasibility assessment are:

  • E-bike share is a City priority
  • Local and Provincial policies support shared micro-mobility
  • There are potential partners in the region
  • A shared micro-mobility program should provide equitable access
  • E-scooters may be a future shared micro-mobility option

Click here for more details about these key findings.

The Initial Program Recommendations of the technical feasibility assessment are:

Category
Recommendation
System Type

Dockless, with designated parking areas: A dockless bike share system does not require bikes to be parked at a docking station at the end of a trip. Designated parking areas ensure parked bicycles do not block sidewalks, trails, or roads for other users. A dockless system has low start-up costs, limiting upfront infrastructure costs to the City in preparation for an operator to launch an e-bike share system.
Fleet Type

E-bikes: Due to the city’s steep topography, e-bikes are recommended over pedal bikes. Multiple private operators already offer shared e-bikes in Lower Mainland communities. E-scooters are not currently permitted in New Westminster as per the Motor Vehicle Act and therefore are not recommended at this time.

Ownership Model

Muncipally-permitted, privately owned and operated: In this ownership model the City will develop rules and regulations for e-bike share and oversee the program, while the bikes and applications will be owned and operated by a third party. The majority of shared micro-mobility programs in BC utilize this model, which helps to minimize the City’s capital investments and the staff time needed to oversee a program. New Westminster can look to the District of North Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver, the District of West Vancouver, the City of Richmond, and the City of Vernon for documents and policy examples of this model. A permit program with a privately owned and operated fleet of e-bikes could also easily expand to a regional program with neighboring municipalities, as additional jurisdictions would not need to purchase equipment and can adopt similar or identical permit regulations as New Westminster.


How can I engage?

We are keen to hear from residents of New Westminster on their experiences with bike sharing in other cities, how they might use a bike-sharing system in New Westminster, and their thoughts on the initial program recommendations.

Click here to take our short survey and share your experiences and thoughts. The survey is open until July 10, 2023.

The results from this initial engagement will help inform the business model, financial assessment, and implementation plan. At the conclusion of the feasibility study, staff expect to bring the implementation plan to Council for their endorsement.
Consultation has concluded

  • Technical Feasibility Findings

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    The key findings of the technical feasibility assessment are:

    • E-bike share is a City priority: The Master Transportation Plan and the Active Network Transportation Plan identify the need for an e-bike share feasibility study, as well as noting the ways that a bike share system can complement other cycling infrastructure investments to help New Westminster achieve its sustainable transportation goals.
    • Local and Provincial policies support shared micro-mobility: New Westminster has developed a policy environment that strongly supports active transportation, and other Metro Vancouver and Provincial policies are also supportive of including shared micro-mobility in initiatives and programs that encourage mode shift, increased mobility/access for underserved populations, and emissions reduction.
    • There are potential partners in the region: TransLink’s 2050 Regional Transportation Strategy identifies the potential for a region-wide shared micro-mobility program, including the need to develop standards for safety, data collection and management, space and curbside allocation, fleet and operational requirements, and supporting infrastructure. New Westminster should monitor the development of any potential region-wide shared micro-mobility system, as well as peer city programs, and identify opportunities for collaboration across Metro Vancouver.
    • A shared micro-mobility program should provide equitable access: Transportation equity is a key policy focus in local and provincial policies. An e-bike share program should serve all areas of the city and be inclusive to all residents, including people of all ages, abilities, identities, and backgrounds.
    • E-scooters may be a future shared micro-mobility option: Current provincial regulations under the Motor Vehicle Act prohibit e-scooters in New Westminster. This limits the potential to explore an e-scooter share system or include e-scooters within a shared micro-mobility system, even though the Master Transportation Plan includes specific actions related to setting up parameters for a future program. The current pilot may be extended, or the Province could permit the use of e-scooters across the province. New Westminster should continue to monitor and engage with the Province to understand how the trial may further determine the use of e-scooters in New Westminster.