‘Pay as you go’ E-bikes have been launched in Pembrokeshire this month, but the initiative has already been met with scepticism by members of the public, as well as councillors.

The Pembrokeshire County Council trial scheme will see 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 trial towns of Tenby, Haverfordwest, Fishguard and Goodwick.

E-bikes Tenby
Boris-style ‘pay as you go’ E-bikes have been launched in Pembrokeshire towns such as Tenby this month (Observer pic)

However, members of the public have had their say already on potential issues that the scheme might bring, expressing concerns on the E-bikes being ‘dumped’ on the seaside town’s beaches, echoing concerns first raised by Tenby Town Council’s Deputy Mayor Cllr Charles Dale when the idea was first touted to councillors last year.

Cllr Dale told his colleagues 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 scheme ending.

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

One such ‘bay’ has popped up alongside Tenby’s historic town walls, the importance of which have been highlighted by town councillors in recent years.

On spotting the bay whilst walking through town, Penally resident Dave Laming, gave his thoughts in passing to the Observer: “Today I discovered my first E-bike for hire leaning against the Castle Wall resting in its own white lined pavement space.

Ebikes by Tenby town walls
One E-bike bay has popped up alongside Tenby's historic walls (Pic supplied)

“As an ex-Bath County Councillor, back in 2012, I recall the chaos these machines caused throughout the City. I am concerned for the personal safety of those thousands of visitors to Tenby, especially when most of the town is pedestrianised.

“Perhaps a claim that it's a ‘Banksy’ would do more for Tenby tourism than possibly untrained folk pedalling around our tight, heavily populated town centre,” he laughed!

Ebike or Banksy
“Perhaps a claim that it's a ‘Banksy’ would do more for Tenby tourism than possibly untrained folk pedalling around our tight, heavily populated town centre,” laughed local resident Dave Laming. (Pic supplied)

Tenby’s County Councillor for the South ward, Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall is none too pleased with the location either, stating: “I do not like the look of the bikes in front of the Town Walls.

“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.

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