TDEC-Building a Low-Carbon Ride Share Network for Halifax

Grant Award: $75,000

Tour De East Coast (TDEC) is reimagining how residents move through Halifax. Founded by entrepreneur Kudzaishe Rodney Tembo, the project began as an extension of his first company, East Coast Rec Rides, and a desire to simplify operations through an app. That idea quickly evolved into a larger mission: to provide accessible, affordable, and low-emission transportation for local communities.

With support from HCi3 and other partners across Halifax, TDEC is introducing a tenant-based e-bike share program. The model equips apartment buildings with shared e-bikes that residents can book through an app for short trips, errands, or commutes, helping reduce car dependency, ease congestion, and lower emissions. “We’re a local company trying to offer a clean, affordable option for short trips,” Rodney said. “If we can meet people at their front door, we lower the barriers to choosing low-carbon transport.”

The project is already gaining traction and has drawn interest from several development companies . For collaboration in 2026, King’s Wharf and Southwest Properties have both explored the idea of adding e-bike amenities for their tenants, seeing them as a way to modernize mobility, reduce parking demand, and advance their own sustainability goals.

The e-bikes themselves are built for Halifax’s year-round conditions, featuring puncture-resistant tires, efficient battery systems, and app-based tracking. As the company grows, Rodney plans to expand into other micro-mobility options like mopeds and scooters, creating a more flexible network of clean, electric transportation choices.

The road to launch hasn’t been without challenges, from equipment delays to navigating import regulations, but Rodney’s perseverance has kept the project on course. Collaboration has been key: partnerships with One North End, Next Ride, and other local organizations have strengthened TDEC’s community connections and helped refine its approach.

Looking ahead, TDEC aims to expand to more residential buildings, integrate new technologies for predictive maintenance, and continue building partnerships that bring practical, low-carbon transportation directly to communities.

“We’re showing that innovation doesn’t have to come from big cities,” Rodney said. “It can start right here in Halifax, with ideas that make life simpler, cleaner, and more connected.”