E-Bike Lending Library Comes to Andover in September

Demo Day on Sunday, September 25, 9 AM to 3 PM

August 19, 2022 • Saved under Andover Organizations
By Larry Chase
Andover Energy Group members Vicky Mishcon and Steve Darling went out for a late-summer e-bike spin.

From Wednesday, September 21, to Tuesday, September 27, the Andover Energy Group and the Upper Valley E-Bike Lending Library (UVELL) are offering a great opportunity in Andover to “try before you buy” and allow you to get a feel for how an electric bicycle might fit into your lifestyle. 

The UVELL has a selection of four e-bikes of assorted styles and retail costs, from a “cargo e-bike” that can haul groceries or kids to a lighter-weight “commuter e-bike.” Local residents can borrow and try these e-bikes for free to discover what e-bikes are really like and consider whether one could become part of their everyday lives.
On Sunday, September 25, from 9 AM to 3 PM, the Energy Group will hold a “Demo Day” at which attendees can see all four e-bikes and take them for quick spins.  The event will be held at the Andover Historical Society’s freight shed at Potter Place. The freight shed will also be the location for reservation pick-ups and drop-offs.
You can reserve a bike for a day or part of a day. To reserve a bike, go to VitalCommunities.org/upcoming-events. Scroll down to E-Bike Library in Andover, click “View Details,” and then click “Reserve an E-Bike.” The “Reserve an E-Bike” function for each town should become active about a month before the scheduled event. If you see another town’s schedule that suits you better, feel free to reserve in that town.
Child seats and helmets will be provided with the bikes, if you don’t have your own. You will be asked to sign a liability waiver before you get on the bike you have reserved, and you must be at least 18 years of age. A photo ID is required when you pick up your bike.
To pick up your reserved bike, you will need a truck or van, or be able to ride it away. The bikes are too heavy for regular vehicle bike racks. Remember, pick-up and drop-off are at the Potter Place freight shed.
If you have further questions, contact Vicky Mishcon at 603 735-6402 or VLMishcon@nullcomcast.net; Susan Chase at 603 735-5135 or SRFChase@nullgmail.com; or Vital Communities at 802 292-3939 or VitalCommunities.org.