Registrations have officially opened for Hobart’s first ever electric bicycle library - and demand has been overwhelming.

More than 80 bookings were made on Wednesday night, when those who signed up for early updates were alerted that the library had opened.

Some models are already booked out until mid-2026, as locals jump at the chance to take part in this free trial and see how an e-bike might fit into their lifestyle.

Hobart’s Free E-Bike Library allows people to borrow an electric bike for up to two weeks. It's designed to help residents test out e-bikes before deciding whether to invest in one on their own.

The program is free - other than a $500 security deposit that is refunded when borrowers return their bike. Anyone at least 18 years old, living in Tasmania with a safe place to store the bike can apply.

Among those taking part is Melissa McAdie, a Kingston resident who has been considering an e-bike for nearly a year but hesitated due to the upfront cost.

“Not knowing whether it’s going to be a good investment for me is probably the biggest hurdle,” she said.

“As soon as I saw this trial, I thought ‘Yes, I want to be a part of that’, because it’s a lot of money to invest without knowing if it will really work for me.”


_{Kingston resident Melissa McAdie signed up for the e-bike library following the launch of registrations.}

Ms McAdie regularly cycles with her sons and uses her hardtail mountain bike for local trips - but says the steep hill leading to her home often makes rides impractical.

“Riding back up with a backpack full of groceries can be quite tiring, especially on my mountain bike,” she said.

“An e-bike would make those short trips so much easier and probably encourage me to ride instead of drive more often.”

She is one of more than 350 people who expressed early interest in the e-bike library when it was first announced in March.


_{More than 350 people expressed early interest after the program was announced in early March.}

A growing movement toward e-bikes

With fuel prices rising and transport accounting for more than 50 per cent of Hobart’s emissions, e-bikes have been identified as a practical, cost-effective and sustainable transport option for the city.

E-bikes provide electric assistance to the rider, making it easier to tackle hills, carry loads, and travel longer distances without breaking a sweat.

To help participants find the right fit, Hobart’s Free E-Bike Library offers three styles of bikes:

• Step-through commuter bikes - Easy to hop on and off, great for everyday rides.
• Top-bar commuter bikes - A traditional frame style for general commuting.
• Cargo bikes - Designed for carrying groceries, kids, or larger loads.

Ms McAdie, who booked a step-through bike, said this flexibility was part of the “beauty of the trial”.

“When you buy an e-bike, you’re locked into that specific model, but with this trial I can test one and see if it really suits my needs,” she said.


_{Ms McAdie is keen to figure out what model of e-bike is best for her.}

How does the library work?

The City of Hobart has partnered with Hobart Bike Hire, who will run and manage the program from their waterfront store.

When registering, people select the model of e-bike they want before selecting the timeframe when they can borrow the bike.

Each bike in the library operates on its own three-week cycle: two weeks out on loan, one week for maintenance. 

That means availability varies between bikes and just because one is available on a certain date, doesn't mean others will be too. 

After making a booking, borrowers receive a confirmation email with further information. They then receive a more detailed email closer to their pick up date.

_{Council staff are working behind the scenes to source additional e-bikes for the library, given the high demand.}

When their time slot arrives, the applicant can simply pick up the e-bike from Hobart Bike Hire, ride it as much as they like across the 14 days, and then return it to the store.

Due to high demand and a limited number of bikes (only six available), there is already a significant waitlist. Registrations remain open, but interested locals are encouraged to apply soon to secure a future spot.

Some bikes are already unavailable until mid-2026. Council staff are now working behind the scenes to source additional bikes and expand the program so more people can take part in the future.

This initiative is funded by the Tasmanian Government's Community Climate Change Action Grants Program.