Car2Cycle Electric Bike Grant Scheme: Update

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A decision made 9 March 2017:

Decision Reference: MD-T-2017-0021
Decision Summary Title :	Car2Cycle Scheme Update		Date of Decision Summary:	8 March 2017
Decision Summary Author:	Manager – Transport Policy		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Car2Cycle Scheme Update		Date of Written Report:	8 March 2017
Written Report Author:	Manager – Transport Policy		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Car2Cycle electric bike grant scheme update for second and final year.
Decision(s): The Minister confirmed the use of £50,000 from DfI Transport Initiatives funding (approved in MD-T-2016-0048) to complete the Car2Cycle grant scheme.
Reason(s) for Decision: To enable the grant scheme to continue through 2017 until funding is exhausted, delivering a minimum of 500 grants to encourage the uptake of electrically assisted bicycles, in accordance with the States Sustainable Transport Policy.
Resource Implications: £50,000 to be provided from the £1.25 million transferred from the Car Parking Trading Fund to DfI for transport initiatives in 2017, plus officer time to administer the scheme.
Action Required: DfI Officers to continue to administer the scheme until funds are exhausted.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Infrastructure
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Car2Cycle Electric Bike Grant Scheme: Update

DEPARTMENT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE

CAR2CYCLE SCHEME UPDATE

Purpose of the Report

To approve the continuation of the e bike grant scheme through 2017 until funding is exhausted, delivering a minimum of 500 grants in total to encourage the uptake of electrically assisted bicycles, in accordance with the States Sustainable Transport Policy.

Background

In 2016 the Minister approved a scheme (MD-T-2016-0048) whereby grants of £300 were offered for local residents who purchased an electrically assisted bicycle through approved Jersey retailers. The original intention was to provide up to £50,000 per annum for three years from 2016 to 2018 (total funding allocation over the period of £150,000).

Discussion

The States of Jersey Sustainable Transport Policy (STP) aims to encourage a move away from the dominance of the private motor car to more sustainable travel habits. The encouragement of cycling is particularly beneficial to this aim. It offers a low cost, non-polluting travel option with the significant health benefits of increasing physical activity. E bikes offer a cycling option for those who might consider themselves too unfit to use a conventional bike or may choose not to cycle because of distance or hilly terrain.

The scheme proved popular during 2016 and DfI provided funding to enable 346 grants at a cost of £100,800 to be issued. A modification to the original scheme was introduced shortly after the scheme’s introduction, whereby the grant per bike would be 20% of the retail value of the bike up to a maximum of £300.

Given the current rate of uptake, the total allocated expenditure of £150,000 is anticipated to be exhausted by mid-2017.

Recipients of the grants have been asked to complete a survey. The responses are encouraging and show that the scheme is supporting the aims of the STP. 198 responses have been received to date, with 57% stating that the bike has replaced their car as a form of travel, 64% stating they have bought the bike to get fitter or lose weight, and 25% to travel around more easily. 68% stated that they have used the bike at least one day per week for work and 32% for four or more days per week.

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to approve the continuation and completion of the scheme during 2017.

Reason for Decision

To confirm that the grant scheme approved in MD-T-2016-0048 should continue through 2017 until funding is exhausted, delivering a minimum of 500 grants in total to encourage the uptake of electric assisted bicycles, in accordance with the States Sustainable Transport Policy.

Resource implications

£50,000 in 2017 from the £1.25 million transferred from the Car Parking Trading Fund to DfI for transport initiatives, plus officer time to administer the scheme in accordance with MD-T-2016-0048.

Action Required

DfI Officers to continue to administer the scheme until funds are exhausted.

Written by: Manager - Transport Policy

Approved by: Director of Transport