Pool E-Bike
What they did.
Bracknell Forest Borough Council (BFBC) has been exploring ways to incentivise council staff to choose active travel for work-related journeys, including site visits and commuting. The majority of staff travelling for work currently use their own cars for these journeys, most of which take place within the borough, and a large proportion of staff drive to work despite good transport links to the office.
BFBC wanted to offer staff a viable alternative to car travel for their work-related journeys to reduce the council’s carbon footprint and give staff the opportunity to explore Bracknell’s extensive network of cycle paths.
To do this, they decided to purchase an electric pool bike that all staff can use for any work-related journey. This is a trial
BFBC chose an e-bike because it reduces barriers of distance and physical capability that may inhibit staff from using a standard bicycle. Research has found that people who use e-bikes cycle more often and for longer distances than those who use standard bicycles.
The scheme was launched in March 2026, and the bike has already been booked out several times, including repeat bookings for both site visits and commuting. Initial feedback has been very positive, including one user commenting
“Having never used [an e-bike] before, I can safely say I am a forever changed man….”On my way back into work, I walked in the building with a smile on my face. There's nothing quite like active travel.”
Advice for others considering providing a pool e-bike for their staff includes securing the right insurance, creating a step-by-step guide to using an e-bike, organising drop-in sessions to answer staff questions and pre-address any HSE concerns, and the need to promote the scheme extensively via internal communication channels.
If you want to find out more about the pool ebike scheme, please contact bfcca@outlook.com. We will be happy to help you get in touch with the Council’s climate change team.