A 'game-changer' fleet of electric bikes could soon be coming to Newcastle city centre.
Council bosses have revealed that they are in talks with two companies about bringing a new e-bike sharing scheme to the city, which they think would make a "massive difference" to commuters.
The high-tech cycles are equipped with an electric motor to give riders extra pedal power - making them a faster, less strenuous alternative to regular bikes.
Newcastle City Council is hoping that drivers will be eager to ditch their cars in favour of the e-bikes - as Tyneside faces up to an air pollution crisis that is set to force local authorities to impose new road tolls by 2021.
When part of Killingworth Road in Newcastle will finally reopen - after another setback
Graham Grant, the authority's head of transport investment, told a meeting of small businesses that e-bikes would be a 'game-changer' in efforts to revolutionise Newcastle's transport system.
The scheme would be similar to - and work alongside - the existing Mobike cycle-sharing provision in the city, which charges users for each journey.
Mr Grant also revealed that one of the firms the council is talking to has links to taxi-app firm Uber.
Uber-owned Jump runs e-bike sharing services in the US, Berlin, Paris, and Lisbon.
Luxury 'sky lounge' student flats in limbo as developer tries to save swanky plans
A spokesperson for Newcastle City Council added: "We're speaking to a number of electric bike hire operators about the possibility of them providing a service in Newcastle city centre.
"This would complement the city's existing bike hire scheme, operated by Mobike, and would work in a similar way with users being charged for each journey.
"We believe e-bikes would not only make it easier to get around the city by bike - particularly for anyone riding up from the Quayside - but could also help people who wouldn't normally cycle to give it a try.
"We all need to think about how we travel and reduce car journeys - particularly for shorter trips. The introduction of e-bikes could make a massive difference to how people get around the city."
The Cycle Hub on the Newcastle Quayside has e-bikes that are available to try out, as does the Cycle Centre in Shields Road. A demonstration day is being held at the Cycle Hub on May 11.
Newcastle, North Tyneside, and Gateshead councils have been ordered by the Government to reduce toxic emissions levels by 2021, and the authorities are currently consulting on competing versions of a road toll.
One of those options is the Government's preferred 'Clean Air Zone' (CAZ) in which high-polluting vehicles could be charged £12.50 a day to enter a zone covering the centres of Newcastle and Gateshead, also stretching up to Gosforth and down the Coast Road as far as Battle Hill.
The councils' alternative solution is imposing a £1.70 toll for all cars on the Tyne, Swing, and Redheugh bridges, alongside banning certain high-polluting vehicles from Newcastle city centre.
A public consultation will run to May 17 at breathe-cleanair.com. Paper copies of the consultation can be requested by emailing contact@breathe-cleanair.com.
The North East speed camera which made more than £600,000 in fines in just one year
Lidl wins war with Asda over plans for new Lemington supermarket
