Breathe in the fresh air
Springtime has arrived. The ebike fleets is pumped, primed and polished after winter hibernation. The ebikes are ready to get going on the cycle lanes, byways and roads of Belfast for the fresh, new season. Just breathe in all that clean air!
The story so far
We’ve had a few surprisingly good years after starting the service in lockdown. Last year however, revealed a cracking season with lots of bookings and interest. It was so lovely to see people travelling again. They came from Germany, England, Scotland, France, Canada and the US. But many also came from the Republic (of Ireland). We also had plenty of domestic users – couples staying at hotels in Belfast for a short trip and taking out the ebikes for a eeee-ride. These hardy folk came from counties Antrim, Down, Cavan and Fermanagh.
It can only get better this year!
Ebike Belfast is the only electric bike hire provider in the city. We’re well aware we lag behind the likes of London, Dublin and Berlin. But we’re gaining every day in popularity. Ebikes have arrived!
And Belfast natives, knowing little about the fun, technology and ease of use, are hiring and buying ebikes from our new shop at York Lane at the new Ulster University Belfast campus.
E-moving is still an emerging phenomenon in Belfast city
Off-road cycle lanes are springing up along the Newtownabbey Way and customers are asking about the routes from east Belfast out to the North Down Coastal Path. The path made news headlines after angry ratepayers packed a meeting designed to explore upgrading the coastal walkway. It’s a lovely path, so I agree. Leave well alone! I’ve walked and cycled that path. There are a couple of places you dismount, but they’re charming old stone steps and they present no issues, especially with the ‘walk assist’ mode on the ebikes giving that extra push so they feel light.
We’ve been on our ebikes investigating!
We’ve brought the ebikes on tour down south in the Republic to have a nosey at what was going on elsewhere on the island of Ireland – and it was amazing. So many greenways and cycle-friendly routes exist. The use of old train and canal routes are lovely to glide along like from Westport to Achill Island in Co Mayo. Co Donegal was brilliant too. We did the new route from above Ardara over the hills to Burtonport. Well worth a trip.
Belfast’s best cycle routes for ebikes
But Belfast is superb to cycle around. The Cathedral Quarter cobblestones on out to the ‘Big Fish’ at the Albert Clock and along the Titanic Maritime Trail is popular for pedal pushers. But Divis Mountain has the best view. The path smooth and the climb dramatic. Watching the city below and looking out onto all the counties of ancient Ulster is awesome. Some customers enquire about Cave Hill Country Park. But I steer them to Divis as it’s a better ride out. Nothing feels better than looking down on the city from its highest ebike-friendly summitt.
Zero emission travel
With car hire prices going through the roof, it’ll be interesting to see if more people decide to look at eBike hire to get around on their city break to Belfast. Zero-emission travel, eco-tourism and all that jazz are a vital feature of building a visitor-friendly city for the future. We are delighted to be part of that and we welcome you!
