ROCKLAND — The Rockland Public Library is participating in the newly-launched Maine Library E-Bike Loan Program, through which residents with library cards at participating libraries can borrow Class I electric-assist bicycles and explore how they can help with car-free personal transportation. This is a month-long pilot program provided by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and the Maine Department of Transportation. The program will begin on Monday, July 22.
 
The Library will have access to two e-bikes for a limited time. These e-bikes can only be checked out to Rockland Public Library cardholders in good standing. Patron must be 18 or older. Reciprocal borrowing is not available for the e-bikes.
 
Interested patrons will need to watch a series of informational videos about e-bikes and sign a waiver before bringing the e-bike home. This will take about 20-30 minutes. The training videos are located online here: https://bikemaine.org/library-e-bike-program/
 
The e-bikes can be checked out for 3 days, no renewals. You will be responsible for a helmet, charging cable, and bike lock in addition to the e-bike. After checking out the e-bike at the Library, the bike can then picked up at the Flanagan Community Center. When the borrowing period is over, you must return the e-bike to the Rec Center. The Rec Center is open Monday – Saturday from 10 AM – 6 PM.
 
The e-bikes are much heavier than regular bikes and CANNOT go on a regular bike rack; regular bike racks are not strong enough to hold them. The bikes can only be moved inside of cars or trucks, or on a sturdy wheel tray style rack attached via a trailer receiver hitch, or they must be ridden home.
 
More information is available at the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s website here: https://bikemaine.org/library- e-bike-program/
 
For more information about this program at the Rockland Public Library, please email refdesk@rocklandmaine.gov or call 207-594-0310.

Interested in learning more about e-bikes and biking in Rockland? Visit www.rocklandmaine.gov/rechargerockland for more info.