A new dockless electronic bike sharing service is expected to be rolled out across the Richmond borough this summer.

The e-bikes by Freebike Ltd have speeds of 15.5mph and have been designed to give riders longer travel distances as well as helping riders to ride up hills more easily.

Katherine Butler, co-founder of Freebike Ltd said: "We are so pleased to have been chosen as the preferred operator to run Richmond’s dockless bike-sharing trial.

"We feel this is vindication of our sensitive approach to bike-sharing which ensures an efficient and fun journey for the user and minimal disruption to non-users."

The Transport and Air Quality Committee will now decide how many e-bikes will be released in the borough as well as deciding where the parking bays will be installed.

Ms Butler added: "This model is particularly important in Richmond with its parks, gardens and elegant streets. We are determined to get more people out of their cars and onto bikes and to show people how much of a joy electric bikes are to ride."

Last year, Richmond Council ran a pilot dockless bikeshare scheme in the borough, from which more than 6000 trips were carried out on the 200 bikes that were deployed.

Cllr Alexander Ehmann, Chair of Richmond Council’s Transport and Air Quality Committee, said: "Increasing the extent of cycling infrastructure in the borough is an important step to encouraging more residents to make sustainable, environmentally friendly transport decisions in the borough.

"I am glad that residents will once again have access to bikeshare facilities in the borough and I would encourage them to take advantage of scheme by making their journeys on an e-bike where they can."