Try before you buy: E-bike borrow program driving sales

Hobart's free e-bike library, which allows people to loan an e-bike for two weeks, is set to continue after a successful first year. (ABC News: Sophie Jaggers)

An e-bike library allowing Tasmanians to trial an e-bike for a two-week period has resulted in an increase of sales of the bikes, the City of Hobart says.

Council says encouraging people to ride instead of drive has individual and community benefits, and can help "activate street fronts" through cyclists spending money at local cafes and shops.

Hobart City Council says the program is fully funded to continue.

A Hobart council e-bike loan program is resulting in people going on to purchase their own bike, a Hobart councillor says.

It's been one year since the City of Hobart first introduced a free e-bike library.

There are currently 12 bikes in the library, which anyone who lives in the state can borrow free of charge for two weeks.

Cr Ryan Posselt said although promising, council is yet to properly quantify the results. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)

Hobart councillor Ryan Posselt said "some e-bike retailers are saying … 20 per cent of their purchasers for cargo bikes came to the e-bike library to try it before they went on to buy one".

The library first launched in May last year, and since then, it's been used by more than 144 borrowers.

The City of Hobart said it would continue to fund the e-bike library. (ABC News: Sophie Jaggers)

The City of Hobart said cycling doesn't just have health benefits, but that cyclists and pedestrians go on to spend money at local shops and cafes.

On the back of its booming popularity, the council said the program is fully funded to continue.

Cr Posselt said the first year of the library exceeded expectations.

"Over the last 12 months, these bikes have travelled more than 10,000 kilometres around the city," he said.

Cr Posselt said the council is collecting data to find out if it reached its goal.

After using the e-bike library, Lenah Valley resident Jon Leighton has now purchased his own e-bike.

Jon Leighton said the library helped him make an informed choice to buy an e-bike. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)

He had previously driven his car or ridden a pushbike to work in the CBD, but said the hills around Hobart made it difficult if he had shopping or work equipment with him.

"Of course you can go to the shops and try them for half an hour or so," Mr Leighton said.

Mr Leighton said the library allowed him to purchase an e-bike, knowing it was the right choice.

The switch in travel mode has helped alleviate time and cost-associated pressures, such a