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Decathlon is to launch an e-bike rental service as Brexit makes the e bikes more expensive in the UK

The Guardian brought attention to the price discrepancy between the UK and Europe for Decathlon's Riverside 500E electric bike last month.

The ebike costs £1,299.99 (about €1,520) in the UK, but only €1,199 in France, Italy, and Spain.

"Importing stock is now more expensive due to the UK's exit from the European Union," a representative said. In order to handle the additional administration, costs and duties brought on by Britain's exit from the customs union, Decathlon UK also had to increase the size of the supply team.

"In the UK specifically, we have the obvious difficulties associated with managing continually fluctuating exchange rates, coupled with the expense of having to pay import duties twice on a variety of things (once as goods enter the EU, and again once they enter the UK after Brexit)."

However, Decathlon has started a rental program through which it will provide a variety of goods, including e-bikes.

The representative said: "By renting our products rather than selling them, we can boost usage of each item, allowing us to make fewer things and have a less environmental impact. We are aware that not everyone prefers renting, but we still want to provide you with the choice and flexibility to play a variety of sports affordably while minimizing our environmental impact.”

At the moment, the company rents out e-bikes from its locations in Southampton and Poole. Renting an E-ST 100 e-MTB for a day starts at £45; rates for extended rentals are prorated. The same ebike may be rented for £117.50 per week or £167.50 per fortnight.

"All of our rental products are refurbished or‘like new’,creating a really circular economy," said Sharon Poulter, the rental lead of Decathlon.

We will be offering package discounts as part of the service so that clients may hire everything they require for a weekend filled with excitement, including e-bike and SUP or kayak combos, at a discounted rate.

"I look forward to expanding this idea and offering more people the chance to try different sports."