Workers told to get on their electric bike
Active Schools workers will be whizzing their way around via an eco-friendly mode of transport, after South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture invested in a fleet of electric bicycles.
A pilot project saw ebikes being made available to people participating in the Physical Activity Prescription scheme, to encourage Active Schools workers to get pedalling for better physical and mental well-being.
SLLC deployed the ebikes in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council, and although the scheme was initially wheeled out in the Cambuslang and Rutherglen area, it is likely that it will be rolled out throughout the local authority area.
Funding for the initiative came from the council and the Scottish Government ebike Grant Fund, managed by the Energy Savings Trust.
Councillor John Anderson, chair of South Lanarkshire Council community and enterprise resources, said: “We are delighted to have been able to support our colleagues in SLLC in taking this project forward.
“South Lanarkshire Council continues to invest in and support the development of the local cycle route network, which will encourage wider use of both traditional and electric bikes.”
The fund was launched in June, with 19 projects across Scotland being awarded a total of £470,000.
Each project shares the aim of reducing reliance on higher emission modes of transport in communities and improving access to ebikes.
Patrick Murphy, SLLC development services manager, said: “We are excited to be launching this project. We are confident that our efforts will not only raise the profile of ebikes in the area, but support our staff to travel more efficiently between offices.
“We are also looking forward to exploring the wider benefits of cycling, especially those linked to mental and physical well-being.”
Part of the fleet will also be made available to clients via the Physical Activity Prescription social prescribing tool, offering participants access to bikes, training and ongoing support from SLCC’S health development team.
Dr Richard Watson, lead GP and supporter of the Physical Activity Prescription, said: “Electric bikes will encourage people to use them for journeys that might seem too daunting for an ordinary bike.
“Physical activity is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle, and cycling also benefits the whole community, through reduced pollution and traffic congestion.”
An ebike, or electric bike, is a standard pedal cycle fitted with a battery and electric motor.
When you pedal, the motor kicks in to take up some of the strain, but once it reaches a top speed of 15.5mph it cuts out and leaves the rest up to leg power alone. ebikes are currently the fastest-selling electric vehicles, with over 33 million sold worldwide last year.