Scooter Mart is partnering with the Bermuda Hotel Association to offer electric bike sharing to visitors.

Using a new mobile app called Pink, users can rent electric bicycles by scanning a QR code located on the bikes, which will be located around the island.

“I thought it would be a spontaneous, fun and healthy new experience for our tourists and residents,” Scooter Mart owner Nick Thomson said. “The inspiration came after travelling through Europe last summer. Bike sharing is really everywhere now and people love it.”

The electric bikes will be available throughout the island this week in specific locations called ‘pink zones’. Pink zones will begin with just few exclusive hotels, including: Newstead Belmont Hills Golf Resort & Spa, Rosewood Bermuda, Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, and Pompano Beach Club.

“We will also have pink zones in other areas frequented by tourists like Dockyard and popular beaches, restaurants and other destinations around the island,” Mr Thomson said.

Prices start at 25 cents per minute with a $4 unlocking fee. A ride of 30 minutes would cost $11.50.

Mr Thomson was excited to finally be launching. He said the project has been in the works for more than a year. He initially planned to launch the bikes before the summer.

“Unfortunately, we were hit with over six months of shipping delays which pushed back the launch date,” he said.

He said the bikes are “super premium, electric, pedal-assist bicycles”. Each electric bike has a swappable battery, phone holder, and a digital display which shows speed and battery life. Each bike has roughly 80km of range with a full charge and tops out at 25km/h.

Mr Thomson said: “They are safe, very easy to ride, with large tires, a step-through frame, and they’re tons of fun.”

For every 10km travelled by any of the pink electric bikes, Scooter Mart will plant a tree, as official partners with the Eden Reforestation Project, a global charity.

“These trees will primarily be planted overseas, but we will also be planting trees in Bermuda!” Mr Thomson said. “We hope that we’re able to plant well over 1,000 trees every year.

“Combined with using clean energy to charge the vehicles, we hope to have a carbon-negative environmental impact on Bermuda.”

Stephen Todd, chief executive officer of the Bermuda Hotel Association, gave the thumbs up to the scheme.

“We are extremely interested in partnering with entities such as Scooter Mart to provide additional transportation to future tourists and guests,” Mr Todd said. “The green option is the way forward for Bermuda. As a country, we are looking to introduce alternate options in transportation, and green energy is one of those.”

He hoped the pink bikes would appeal to green-minded visitors.

“We would hope there will be further advancements in terms of alternative transportation models and vehicles that will give everyone an option as they seek to satisfy their transportation needs,” Mr Todd said.

The app is free to download.

www.pink.bm