Get on yer e-bike in Hamilton

E-bikes and e-scooters are being encouraged in Hamilton.

And the Hamilton City Council wants to hear from those considering e-mobility for the development of a long-term programme .

“We know that less than 4% of Hamiltonians use bikes as their main form of transport. This means there is a big opportunity to get more people on bikes and e-scooters, and using them more frequently, particularly for short trips around the city,” councillor Angela O’Leary says.

“We want to hear the community’s views on what would make Hamilton a safe, easy and fun city to get around by bike or e-scooter.”

About 60% of all car trips within Hamilton are under 5km, with more than 20% being less than 2km, the council says.

“A 5km trip would take around 20 minutes by bike,” council infrastructure operations general manager Eeva-Liisa Wright says.

“People have told us that the main barrier to biking is concern for their safety. Others include weather, distance, lack of access to a bike, no end-of-trip facilities, a need to transport others, the need to wear a helmet, and a lack of information on biking,” she says.

The council has developed four themes or priority areas and is seeking community feedback on these until November 18.

“This feedback will help shape the final programme, which will likely include a range of projects and actions, such as new bikeways, safety and education initiatives, policy, regulation and better end-of-trip facilities,” the council says.

The final programme is likely to be confirmed in early 2021 and will expand on projects being delivered under the council’s 2015-2045 Hamilton Biking Plan.

Pop-up information events are being held at 11am and 3pm at The Base on October 29, Hamilton Zoo on November 1, Centre Place on November 5, Hamilton Gardens on November 7, and Hamilton Farmers Market on November 8.

Visit Hamilton’s Biking and Micro-mobility Programme for more information.