Pembrokeshire County Council have already had a rethink regarding aspects of the E-bike scheme, to reduce the chances of anti-social behaviour.

The ‘Pay as you go’ E-bikes trial was launched in Pembrokeshire last month, with a fleet of E-bikes provided for members of the public to use for ‘commuting, leisure and local activities’ - with users. able to collect and leave the bikes at a series of pick-up and drop-off sites around the towns of Tenby, Haverfordwest, Fishguard and Goodwick.

However, the initiative has already been met with scepticism by members of the public, as well as councillors, with many pointing out potential issues that the scheme might bring, expressing concerns on the E-bikes being ‘dumped’ away from their designated drop-off points, and others already highlighting late night revellers using them during the early hours of the morning, whilst clearly a bit tipsy!

Once the scheme got underway, Tenby’s County Councillor for the South ward, Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall said she was none too pleased with a ‘bike bay’ being positioned up against the historic Town Walls of the seaside town.

“I do have concerns about the scheme in general. I know that they work very well in some places but I am not sure about in Tenby,” she said.

“I am especially concerned about them within the Town Walls during pedestrianisation and other busy periods.”

Locations the E-bikes are available from, include - Tenby Railway Station and South/North Beach car parks.

Tenby’s Deputy Mayor, Cllr Charles Dale had previously told his colleagues on the Town Council, before the scheme started, that, in principle it was a ‘great idea’ - however, he hoped that it worked out better than in Cardiff, where all the capital city’s bikes appeared to be seemingly stolen or vandalised, leading to the initiative ending.

Providing an update on the Zipp E-bike trial on their Facebook page this week, Pembrokeshire County Council posted: “To reduce the chances of anti-social behaviour, bike hire will not be available between midnight Friday to 5am Saturday and midnight Saturday to 5am Sunday.

“A handy new pick-up and drop-off bay has also been added at Withybush Hospital.

“It’s been great to see so many of you hopping on the bikes. In the 10 days from April 12 to 22 we have recorded 188 trips by 74 users - a fantastic start to the scheme.”

More information on the trial is available here: https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/leisure-outdoors/e-bikes