Registrations have officially opened for Hobart’s first ever electric bicycle library – with City of Hobart Council saying initial demand for the e-mobility devices has been overwhelming.
The Council says some e-bike models are already booked out until mid-2026, as locals jump at the chance to take part in the trial to see how an e-bike might fit into their lifestyle.
The program is free – other than a $500 security deposit that is refunded when borrowers return their bike. Anyone at least 18 years old, living in Tasmania with a safe place to store the bike can apply.
Among those taking part is Melissa McAdie (pictured), a Kingston resident who has been considering an e-bike for nearly a year but hesitated due to the upfront cost.
“Not knowing whether it’s going to be a good investment for me is probably the biggest hurdle,” she said.
“As soon as I saw this trial, I thought ‘Yes, I want to be a part of that’, because it’s a lot of money to invest without knowing if it will really work for me.”
Ms McAdie regularly cycles with her sons and uses her hardtail mountain bike for local trips – but says the steep hill leading to her home often makes rides impractical.
“Riding back up with a backpack full of groceries can be quite tiring, especially on my mountain bike,” she said.
“An e-bike would make those short trips so much easier and probably encourage me to ride instead of drive more often.”
She is one of more than 350 people who expressed early interest in the e-bike library when it was first announced in March.
To help participants find the right fit, Hobart’s Free E-Bike Library offers three styles of bikes:
- Step-through commuter bikes – Easy to hop on and off, great for everyday rides.
- Top-bar commuter bikes – A traditional frame style for general commuting.
- Cargo bikes – Designed for carrying groceries, kids, or larger loads.
The Council has partnered with Hobart Bike Hire, who will run and manage the program from their waterfront store. When registering, people select the model of e-bike they want before selecting the timeframe when they can borrow the bike.
Each bike in the library operates on its own three-week cycle: two weeks out on loan, one week for maintenance. That means availability varies between bikes and just because one is available on a certain date, doesn’t mean others will be too, the Council says.
After making a booking, borrowers receive a confirmation email with further information. They then receive a more detailed email closer to their pick up date. When their time slot arrives, the applicant can simply pick up the e-bike from Hobart Bike Hire, ride it as much as they like across the 14 days, and then return it to the store.
This initiative is funded by the Tasmanian Government’s Community Climate Change Action Grants Program.
