E-bikers clock up 10,000 miles
Free use for key workers sees hires soar
E-bike use in Forth Valley has soared in the past month, partly down to two lockdown initiatives giving keyworkers free access to electric bikes during the Covid-19 crisis.
Thanks to funding from Cycling Scotland, Forth Environment Link has offered keyworkers free annual memberships for its public electric bike hire scheme Forth Bike. The charity has also given NHS staff exclusive access to its Energy Savings Trust funded e-bike lending library.
Forth Bike usage skyrocketed during April, as Active Travel Development Manager Shirley Paterson explained: “In the past three weeks Forth Bike users have clocked up 10,000 miles, more than three times the monthly spring/ summer average. With social distancing measures in place, cycling is proving to be one of the best ways to get around during the crisis. As expected, the main usage hotspots are in the vicinity of the Forth Valley Royal Hospital, with Stenhousemuir station seeing the greatest number of hires.”
The charity’s e-bike lending library has also been inundated with requests over the past four weeks. 32 e-bikes from the charity’s e-bike lending library have already been delivered direct to the homes of NHS and other keyworker staff across Forth Valley; with a further 13 e-bikes due to be delivered.
Active Travel Coordinator, Ray Burr said: “We’ve seen a huge surge in interest from keyworkers looking to commute by e-bike. We’re delighted to have been able to fulfil 32 requests so far and have ordered 13 more e-bikes to keep up with demand. The feedback we’ve received has been tremendous, with many staff commenting on the benefits to their physical and mental health.”
Gillian Millar, from Dunblane, is an administrator at ReACH Forth Valley, rehabilitation hub at Stirling Community Hospital. She said: “I’m enjoying the bike very much. I’ve not been on a bike for years and found this one especially good, it really helps going uphill and is very fast. I’ve only had it a week but it is great getting out on it after work for some much needed exercise and fresh air after being cooped up in the office all day. One of my colleagues was raving about it and it inspired me to try it out and I’m glad she did as it is brilliant.”
Donna McKinlay, Therapeutic Assistant Practitioner at Stirling Community Hospital, said: “I received the electric bike two weeks into lockdown. The week before it arrived, my mood was very low. I’m now using it most nights and to commute to and from work on a Saturday. I feel that I have much more energy at nights after being out on the e-bike.”
Ambulance technician, Sarah Cunningham from Sauchie said: “The e-bike means you can go a bit further and a bit faster! It’s been really useful for getting to work and for exercising on my days off. I haven’t been on a bike since I was about 14, but I think I will be cycling more after this.” Macmillan Cancer Support Nurse Helen Upfold, from Airth, said: “The e-bike has totally transformed my commute. Instead of hopping in the car, I’m using the bike five days a week. I’m enjoying the exercise and feeling much healthier for it. It’s been really good for my mental health too. The job I do can be quite emotionally draining and the fresh air is such a tonic.”
The charity is also offering free maintenance and repairs to keyworkers who have their own bikes, thanks to funding from Cycling UK, which includes access to pannier racks, helmets and locks.