or the first time in the country’s history, the government is preparing to launch a modern e-bike rental service. Lahore will be the city where it all begins.

There was a time when rent-a-bicycle points were a frequent sight in the city. For a rupee, a well-kept bicycle was available for an hour. Dr Farid A Malik, a technologist and social activist who has witnessed such shops on The Mall and other parts of Lahore in the 1970s, says, “Back in the day, there was an entire system of rental bicycles — the regular, non-electric kind. Shops would rent out bicycles. It worked for quite a long time.”

He notes that rent-a-bicycle is popular in many parts of the world, especially in Europe. “Tourists are seen renting bicycles to move around and explore the city.”

The brainchild of Noor-ul Amin Mengal, secretary of Housing Urban Development & Public Health Engineering Department (HUD & PHED), the project is likely to be launched following the approval of the chief minister.

When asked how the Housing Department became responsible for such a project, the secretary says, “The idea is simple: many people in Lahore live or work close to a Metro bus or Orange Line station, but the last stretch — getting from their home or office to that station — is inconvenient.

“That is sometimes referred to as the ‘last mile problem.’ That’s exactly what the e-bike scheme hopes to fix.”

Tallal Bin Nasir, the spokesperson for the department, says that the project will be completed in phases. “In Phase 1, 10,000 bikes will be deployed across 300 docking stations. The areas selected include Gulberg, CBD, Johar Town, Model Town, Garden Town, Ferozepur Road, from Ichra to PECO and Canal Road, from Thokar to Jail Road. Key Metro Bus and OLMT stations will be covered.

“Phase 2 will take the fleet strength to 50,000 bikes, supported by 1,500 docking stations,” he adds. This phase will extend the service to a much wider network of neighbourhoods, including Wapda Town, Valencia, Bahria Town, Allama Iqbal Town, Sabzazar, Faisal Town, Township, Walton, Bhatta Chowk, Raiwind Road and key industrial zones across the city.

According to Mengal, “The goal is to make sure that wherever you are, a bike shouldn’t be far away.”

In response to a query, the secretary says, “You just need to download a mobile app, find the nearest docking station through it, and unlock an available e-bike within seconds using a QR code.”

Once the consumer has reached their destination, whether it’s a Metro station or their office, they will be required to return the bike at any docking station and end their ride through the app. Payment will be handled through the app, so there is no need for users to carry cash or deal with paperwork.

On the question of security and misuse, Nasir says, “Theft is being addressed through the GPS tracking on every bike. Any reported incident will be dealt with through police coordination using the user’s verified CNIC.”

To prevent misuse, the system will be integrated with national identity databases through a KYC process at registration. Unauthorised parking will be penalized. Geo-fencing technology will alert the operations team to retrieve any bike left outside a designated docking station for more than 30 minutes.

Accidents will be covered under insurance. A 24/7 helpline will be available for technical failures.

One detail is worth noting: Nasir says children will not be allowed to use this app. “This is part of the safety measures. Since the service involves bikes moving through city traffic, the authorities want to be careful about who is allowed to use them.”

Several government departments are said to be working on the project. Punjab Horticulture Authority will provide the land needed for docking and charging stations in parks and green spaces. The Safe City Authority will oversee surveillance and security systems. Other departments expected to be involved include the Lahore Parking Company (referred to as LePark) and the Mass Transport Authority.

Farid A Malik does not see so many government departments successfully liaising with one another. “This project fits into the bigger picture — that is, CM Maryam Nawaz’s vision for what’s being called Green Mobility. The idea is to reduce the city’s reliance on fuel-based vehicles such as cars, motorcycles and rickshaws; and encourage cleaner, more environment-friendly ways of getting around.”

DROP CAP

The 10,000 e-bikes are expected to cut down thousands of tonnes of carbon emission every year. This is a meaningful step in fighting Lahore’s smog and air pollution problems.

Beyond the environmental angle, there is a strong economic argument for this scheme. To quote Mengal, getting around Lahore even for short distances is expensive. “A five-kilometre ride in a rickshaw or through a ride-hailing app can cost anywhere between Rs 150 and Rs 300. For students, salaried workers and common citizens who make these short trips regularly, the cost adds up fast. The e-bike service is designed specifically to bring the cost down, offer a cheaper and more accessible mode of travelling short distances.”

As per the project proposal, the pricing structure has been kept straightforward for the users. The fare is Rs 25 for the first kilometer and Rs 15 for every kilometre after that. Users who fail to return the bikes to designated docking stations will be subject to a penalty charge.

Nasir insists that it is “a professionally structured, financially sustainable model.”

Ahsan Raza is the editor of an English daily. He can be reached at [email protected]