UBC Try an E-bike Program

Looking for a healthy and sustainable way to get around while saving time on your commute? Try an e-bike!
Zygg Model A Cropped

UBC has partnered with Zygg to allow UBC staff, faculty and students to try an e-bike for free for an entire week. The program will run from end of March to Oct 31st for staff and faculty and will be available for students in the fall. Zygg is a subscription-based e-bike service that offers monthly e-bike rentals.

Want to continue riding after your free trial? You can sign up for a personal e-bike subscription or purchase an e-bike with Zygg afterwards. Zygg is providing all UBC members with a 10% discount on all subscriptions and purchases.  Just use your UBC email and code “UBC10” at checkout.

This offer is available for all UBC staff, faculty, and students regardless of participation in UBC’s Try an E-Bike Program.

Program Information 

The free trial lasts for seven days. You will have the option to continue riding through a personal subscription with Zygg afterwards. See above for staff and faculty discount information. 

Eligibility 

All current UBC Point Grey Campus faculty and staff who are 18 years old or older at the time of participation are eligible for the free trial.  

Registration

The program will run from March 25 to Oct 31st for staff and faculty and will be available for students for students in the fall. Register online with your UBC e-mail here. Once your eligibility is confirmed, a confirmation email will be sent to you and to book your trial with Zygg. 

E-bike pickup and drop-off

Zygg will coordinate the pick up and drop off of the e-bike. Bring your staff card or a piece of ID along with your confirmation e-mail to pick up your e-bike. Appointments are required for all pick up and drop off with Zygg.

There are three convenient locations for you to pick up / drop off for your trial e-bike:

  • Zygg Vancouver Store (pick up and drop off): 397 Alexander St, Vancouver during business hours only. 
  • UBC Point Grey Campus (pick up and drop off): UBC B4 Parking Lot – 6365 Agronomy Rd (corner of Agronomy Rd and Thunderbird Crescent). Only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 
  • Your Home (pick up and drop off): Delivery zone includes Burnaby, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Richmond, and Vancouver. There is a fee of $25 for returns at the home. This fee is to encourage individuals to ride at least one way to campus.

Other Information

You are responsible for properly locking your Zygg e-bike to prevent theft. As a Zygg rider, you must always lock the e-bike to an immovable object using all the locks provided, park the e-bike in a secure, dry, indoor location overnight, remove the battery when leaving the e-bike locked, and take a photograph showing that the e-bike is securely locked according to these guidelines. This process must be done every time you lock and leave the e-bike. 

If your Zygg e-bike is stolen, you must report the theft to Zygg within 24 hours. If you have performed all of the steps above, you will be required to pay $500 per e-bike and $250 per lockable removable battery under the reduced liability protection purchased by UBC. Participants are also repsonsible for the cost of accessories such as keys and chargers if stolen or damaged. 

For more details and for the procedure in the event of theft, please refer to Zygg’s service agreement below:

E-biking is a great way to get exercise and a sustainable way to get around.  People who own e-bikes replace car trips with e-bike trips more often than their pedal-power peers.  Plus, the Try an E-bike Program supports UBC’s sustainable transportation goals. 

Resources: 

  • Read this study on physical activity when riding an electric assisted bicycle.

New to cycling on campus? UBC Campus + Community Planning has a number of resources to help you plan your commute, find bike route network maps, and learn useful tips and tricks for getting around UBC. Visit our Cycling pages to learn more. 

UBC also provides free access to 13 secure bike cages on campus and there are secure bike lockers available for rent. Learn more about bike cages and how to sign up for bike lockers.

For building specific end of trip facilities such as secure bike parking, lockers, and changerooms with showers please connect with your building administration or manager for more information. 

Questions

Have a question about the program?  Reach out to active.transport@ubc.ca.