Cycling is hard work in Stuttgart, the state capital of Baden-Württemberg in south-western Germany. The city’s residential suburbs are built on several hills, while the commercial centre lies deep in the Neckar valley. Cyclists often have to overcome altitude differences of some 300 metres. At the same time, because of the hills surrounding the city centre, Stuttgart suffers from some of the highest air pollution in Germany. Now the city’s mayor, Wolfgang Schuster, has come up with a plan to encourage people to give up their cars and start cycling, well electro-cycling.

The city has teamed up with the British company Ultra Motors that produces the Pedelec, an electric bicycle, which is fitted with an electro motor. While riders still have to pedal, the electric power makes climbing up hills considerably less of an effort.

Under a trial scheme, developed by Stuttgart and the British company, customers will pay a monthly subscription fee and receive the bike free of charge. It is a concept similar to those offered by mobile phone companies. The monthly charge will deliberately be kept low. Wolfgang Forderer, who co-ordinates the project, does not envisage a fee of more than 20 euros a month. "If one wanted to buy an electro bike one would have to pay some 1.800 euros," he said.

As part of the trial, the city will set up stations across Stuttgart where the bike’s lithium batteries can be re-charged within 15 minutes at no cost to subscribers. Depending on the terrain, one charge should last for between 30 and 70 kilometres.

Photo credit: Fabrizio Furzo'