This week, the District of Saanich officially launched a new e-bike share program through the BCAA Evolve initiative.
The program launched on Wednesday, September 10th, with 50 brand new e-bikes being distributed throughout the community across 24 stations.
The District hopes that this new endeavour will allow residents and visitors alike, a flexible, active and affordable new way to navigate and experience all corners of the community.
The Evolve E-Bike Share program has also recently been launched in Langford, Nanaimo and the Comox Valley.
Similar to BCAA’s Evo care share program, those who want to use one of these e-bikes can unlock a bike using the Evo app on their phones, put on one of the helmets that are provided with the e-bike and ride.
Pricing options for these e-bikes include a pay-per-minute system, as well as monthly plans.
The 50 Evolve e-bikes have been disbursed throughout Saanich in areas which include around UVic; near community hubs such as Tillicum Centre and the Saanich Core; major landmarks and parks like Centennial Stadium, Gorge Waterway Park, Swan Lake and Christmas Hill; as well as along primary trail networks.
“We’re thrilled to bring Evolve to Saanich,” said Leanne Buhler, head of Evolve E-Bike and E-Scooter Share.
“We are looking forward to providing locals and visitors with convenient, reliable and active ways to move around town and get to local businesses, outdoor activities and key community locations.”
The e-bikes that are now out in the Saanich community are pedal assisted, meaning they work with the rider. The electric motor only kicks in when the rider pedals, making it easier to tackle hills.
These e-bikes are also governed to not exceed 25 km/h, and slow down automatically in ‘slow zones,’ which are marked in yellow and red on the Evo app. Find out more about Saanich’s new e-bikes and how to use them online, here.
