New e-bike charge points

Pedallers will soon be able to power up at sites across Stirlingshire after a current scheme was extended.

Six new fast chargers for e-bikes will now be available for use at a trio of local hotspots, all with the aim of keeping those making use of sustainable methods of travel in the saddle.

The Bosch chargers will be free of charge and accessible for people visiting Allanwater Brewhouse in Bridge of Allan and Stirling Central Library, as well as the The Woodhouse cafe near Kippen.

It’s hoped that the rollout will encourage an increase of customers at these spots, as well as promoting the use of active travel in Stirling.

Allanwater Brewhouse proprietor Douglas Ross added:“We hope the new chargers will attract more cyclists to visit the array of shops and eateries we have here in Bridge of Allan while their battery is on charge.”

Meanwhile,Woodhouse café manager Chris Law added:“We’re always looking for new ways to innovate and support customers to be more sustainable.

“These fast chargers will make us the perfect pit stop for cyclists exploring West Stirlingshire.”

The new chargers are the extension of an existing programme run across the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, with the project being delivered by Forth Environment Link, Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Countryside Trust.

Forth Environment Link’s Stirling Active Travel Hub Project Officer Holly Hunter said:“These three new locations in and around Stirling, will help us create a comprehensive network of charging points for e-cyclists in Stirlingshire.

“This has been made possible with funding from Cycling UK’s Shift Fund which aims to get more people cycling for everyday journeys and grant funding from Paths for All’s Smarter Choices Smarter Places.”

As part of the effort to launch the new chargers, Forth Environment Link will be running a series of free rides this month. The first is tomorrow (March 17) 2pm -3.30pm at Stirling Central Library, and the library hosts a second ride on March 22 between the same times.

The final pair of rides will start off from Allanwater Brewhouse on March 24 and March 31, again between 2pm and 3.30pm.