E-bikes are a great tool for taking some of the hassle out of at least part of a long commute, such as using one to cycle to a train station instead of driving a car.
But there’s a catch with that: you might not need your e-bike at your destination, and trying to squeeze it on a crowded train can be a hassle. But what if you need to charge your e-bike to make sure your evening commute home is just as effortless?
That’s where a new service combining secure bike storage with an e-bike charging station comes in. The system has been developed by Bikeep, which offers a range of smart charging solutions for e-bikes and e-scooters. The firm already offers services in 21 countries, and has now expanded to the UK.
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Bikeep has partnered with APCOA Parking and Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) to offer the storage and charging solution at UK rail stations. The first two stations to get the units are Bedford and Harpenden.
The units feature smart docks with a metal clamp that locks around the frame and front wheel of the bike, along with a compartment featuring a charging socket built into the charger frame. That allows rides to put their e-bike chargers in the compartment, which is then secured by the metal clamp.
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The service is operated by a smartphone app. It has initially been offered for free at the two sites.
Bikeep boss Kristjan Lind said: “Your bike is locked securely from two points with a huge steel bar, the station is overseen by CCTV, and any distress signals are forwarded to local security whilst an audible alarm sounds.”
David Gorball, Govia Thameslink Railway’s commercial boss, said that the devices would “support those making environmentally-friendly journeys to and from the station and will hopefully encourage more rail users to consider this mode of transport.”
Move Electric is awaiting word on when APCOA, GTR and Bikeep have plans to expand the service beyond the initial two stations.
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