NS wants to start an experiment in the summer by renting electric bikes. For a year, the transport company wants to test whether public transport e-bikes satisfy users.
NS presented the idea for the experiment to consumer organizations, ProRail, and municipalities. They have responded positively, a NS spokesperson told NU.nl. According to him, the chance of not proceeding with the test is slim.
NS says travelers have ordered e-bikes before. Four stations will be equipped with thirty electric bikes in those months.
The e-bike should cost 10 euros per 24 hours. It is not yet known at which stations the electric bikes will be placed.
Stealing can be a risk
NS acknowledges that e-bike theft can be a risk. The bikes are equipped with a GPS tracker. In case of loss or theft, the bicycle can be found with this.
NS also wants to use this GPS information for research during the experiment. This allows information about, for example, travel distances, bike location and speed to be plotted.
In order to preserve the privacy of consumers, personal data and location data are stored separately, as the carrier guarantees. For example, the supplier knows where the electric bike in question is, but not who is on the bike.
