‘Unprecedented’ vandalism blamed for stop of Big Issue e-bike hire scheme

Bristol was the first city in the UK to get a fleet of Big Issue e-bikes.

But the scheme in its current form is being paused with Big Issue saying that around ten per cent of their bikes are being damaged every day, with this scale of unprecedented vandalism meaning that the scheme is not viable.

The success of the Voi e-scooters and lack of a docking system for the Big Issue bikes are also likely to be contributing factors.

It means that having only launched in February, Big Issue has become the third bike hire scheme to start and then pull out of Bristol, with yellow Yo Bikes still occasionally seen across the city.

In a statement, a Big Issue spokesperson strongly criticised Bristol City Council, WECA and the police, saying that more e-bikes are destroyed in Bristol in one week than in all their other partner facilities combined anywhere else in the world.

The spokesperson also warned that “if this issue is not fixed with our e-bikes, Bristol will be a no-go zone for all providers looking to introduce e-bike options”.

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This is Big Issue’s statement in full:

“It is with sincere regret that we are announcing a pause to our current open, public-rental e-bike service in Bristol, from the coming weekend (20/ 21 August).

“Since we launched in the city six months ago, we have experienced extensive and relentless levels of vandalism to our e-bikes.

“We have taken many measures to try to overcome this issue, including making changes to the design of the e-bikes and trying to work with the local authorities, the police and our subscriber community.

“Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, the vandalism has not reduced. Having begun with a fleet of over 400, we currently have around 200 e-bikes on the street and approximately 10 per cent of these are damaged every day.

“In practice, this means that our entire fleet is vandalised every two weeks. We have more e-bikes destroyed in Bristol in one week than in all our facilities combined anywhere else in the world.

“It is disappointing that the actions of a minority of people means we are left with no choice but to pause the current scheme.

“This is not a decision we have made lightly. Big Issue eBikes was set up as a not-for-profit partnership between Norwegian micro mobility experts ShareBike and the Big Issue to deliver ‘biking for good’ in Bristol – providing sustainable and affordable electric cycling in the city whilst creating job opportunities and training for long-term unemployed people.

“Bristol was chosen as the first city in the UK to offer the service because of its green credentials and aspirations.

“In the short-term, we are planning to provide an alternative service, offering businesses and individuals long-term rental of our electric bikes. This means that anyone signing up will have exclusive use of specific e-bikes, which can be taken home or to work – and be stored safely – with BigIssue eBikes providing the maintenance and repairs.

“We urge the local authorities – namely Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority – and Avon & Somerset Police to work with us to see if there is a way to avoid a permanent removal of our current public rental service from the city’s mix of safe and affordable green transport options.

“It is clear to us that if this issue is not fixed with our e-bikes, Bristol will be a no-go zone for all providers looking to introduce e-bike options.”

“Since we first launched the service in February 2022, over 7,000 people have registered to use Big Issue e-bikes.

“We would like to thank our regular and many customers for their support and apologise for the inconvenience and disappointment that we know this announcement will cause.

“We sincerely hope that this is a temporary decision and that, with the support of the police and local authorities, we are able to resume and increase the open, public rental service in Bristol.”

Main photo: Big Issue

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