A year after they were first launched, the Evolve e-bike in Nanaimo is reporting that over half of their daily customers are locals taking advantage of the e-bike sharing program. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

Evolving

‘Incredibly positive:’ locals make good use of Nanaimo’s e-bike sharing program

May 1, 2025 | 5:24 AM

NANAIMO — With one full year in the books, the Evolve e-bikes are getting a lot of usage, with locals apparently utilizing them more than tourists.

The network of blue e-bikes was established last year with stations dotting all corners of the Harbour City, allowing users to travel up to 25 kilometres per hour along the active transportation routes.

Leanne Buhler, head of Evolve e-bike and scooter share, said they’ve heard mainly positive reactions from those surveyed, with 55 per cent of users surveyed being local, integrating them into their daily routines.

“The community has really embraced the program…77 per cent of the users that we surveyed thought that it added value to the transportation system in Nanaimo, which is really nice to see that people are seeing this as a value add to the community.”

The program, run through the BCAA, was already established in several major centres, with plans to grow the system in more communities across B.C.

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Buhler told NanaimoNewsNOW they started with 50 bikes when they first launched on May 1, 2024, increasing the number to around 80 during peak riding seasons in the spring and summer, and reducing their number again during the less busy fall and winter.

Maffeo Sutton Park is one of the most popular start and stop points for the Evolve e-bikes in Nanaimo, with the bikes now parked in a self-contained area of the parking lot near the bus stop on Comox Rd. (Jordan Daivdson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

In the last year, Buhler said over 27,000 kilometres have been ridden on their bikes with an average distance of 3 kilometres, an average time of 17 minutes, and 37 per cent were repeat users, taking more than one ride in the year.

She said they’re anticipating even more riders in their second year and plan to adjust the number of bikes accordingly.

“People are just getting used to seeing them around town, trying them out for the first time, and typically what we see, and what we expect to see, is more of that regular, commuting use in the second and third year. We’ll just change the fleet and dial it up as we see how people are taking bikes around town and making sure there is enough stopped at every station.”

Dozens of stations are set up around Nanaimo, with Maffeo Sutton Park and the Harbourfront Walkway across from the Port Theatre two of the most popular places to access the bikes.

However, the Vancouver Island University (VIU) spot, installed a few months after the initial launch, rapidly became the most popular.

“That quickly took the top spot for start and end trips. We’re seeing a lot of youth from the campus and…university students at VIU,” said Buhler.

A station was also launched at the Hullo Ferries port in the spring.

The bike’s simple design, using a single-gear system and airless tires, minimizes the need for frequent repairs, with the bikes being maintained locally.

There have been reports of damage done to the bikes due to misuse and general mischief, including having to fish some bikes out of the water.

However, Buhler said issues like damage, theft, and bikes being left in places other than their designated drop-off points are not as common as people may think.

“We do a really fantastic job of making sure that bikes are always parked in the right locations, that we’re following up with members who may have parked a bike in the wrong spot by accident, and doing a great job of educating them and helping them navigate the new program and the rules of the new program. It’s been really great in terms of use of the system and care of the system by the community.”

More information on the City of Nanaimo’s Evolve e-bike share program can be found here on the City’s website.

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