North East e-bike company launches loan campaign to support frontline workers

Tyneside electric bike company, Ride Electric, has launched a new scheme to protect NHS frontline workers and is calling on North East businesses to help meet demand for its services.

Answering concerns from NHS workers who were concerned about using public transport and coming into contact with others on their way to work, Ride Electric is loaning out its stock of e-bikes free of charge.

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the Tynemouth-based company is now urging the business community to assist in reaching more frontline workers in the police and NHS by offering sponsorship opportunities to increase supply.

Craig Goff, managing director of Ride Electric, said: “Since Coronavirus hit us in the UK, the reality of what this situation has meant to the NHS and support staff has dawned on us all.

“It is clear that public transport is not a valid option and car-sharing is ill-advised.

“So, for those without their own car, the only options for safe personal transport is on foot, cycling or – more effectively, using electric bikes.

“We’re urging NHS workers to get in touch with us to see if we can supply them with a bike and we need local businesses across the North East to sponsor additional bikes so we can get more in operation to meet demand. Let’s all come together and do something special.”

Having provided bikes to NHS staff for the past three weeks, Ride Electric has found that there is significant demand for the scheme, particularly for those staff who usually travel to work on public transport.

The company has also loaned e-bikes to the region’s police force to help them patrol their localities effectively and keep the public safe.

Ride Electric’s Sue Anderson continued: “Frontline key workers have told us this is having a big impact mentally and physically.

“They are all working exceptionally long hours and we want to protect them by minimising the unnecessary stress from the risk of using shared transport on their journeys to and from work.”

“As a result of our assistance over the last few weeks, we are now being asked for more support, but we are now at the limits of our resources.

“We are therefore looking for organisations to sponsor bikes for NHS frontline staff.”

James Dixon, head of sustainability at Newcastle Hospitals, added: “During this period of uncertainty and heightened anxiety for our hospital staff, this scheme is very welcome.

“The team at Ride Electric have been fantastic and I’d encourage other local businesses to consider sponsoring an e-bike to help get our frontline NHS staff to work safely and emission free.”

NHS workers interested in loan a bike through Ride Electric’s scheme should go to https://www.rideelectric.co.uk/help-for-nhs/ebikes-for-nhs-staff/.

Businesses interested in sponsorship should go to https://www.rideelectric.co.uk/help-for-nhs/sponsor-nhs/.