EVie suspends Jersey's electric bike fleet after insurance provider withdraws from island

The sustainable mobility company EVie has announced it has temporarily suspended its fleet of electric bikes in Jersey.

The company said it's because its current insurance provider had "unexpectedly" withdrawn from the Jersey market with "unsatisfactorily abrupt notice". All bikes were automatically 'turned off' at midnight on Saturday 2 March and they'll be collected from around the island soon.

EVie brought 140 new electric bikes to Jersey in March 2020 which could be used with an app which allowed the user to scan and unlock them.

The company have stated: "We must sadly announce the temporary suspension of service of our beloved yellow dockless bike fleet.

"This decision was forced upon us. We were given 10 days' notice to secure replacement insurance cover.

"This unsatisfactorily abrupt notice, amidst the currently turbulent insurance market in the Channel Islands, has made it impossible to continue to offer our dockless bike without interruption."

Although this temporary issue does not affect its car and van fleet, EVie says that part of the company faced similar challenges finding insurance last year.

It believes the "ongoing insurance issues" were prompted "by post-Brexit regulatory changes and disproportionate fees" and the company is calling for Jersey government to get involved.

Deputy Elaine Millar, Assistant Minister with responsibility for Financial Services:

“We recognise that many Islanders will be disappointed that the Evie bikes have been withdrawn from use.

“We are confident that there remains a competitive insurance market and hope that it will be possible for the bikes to be re-introduced in the near future.”