Holyrood minister helps launch electric bike scheme
Holyrood minister for zero carbon buildings, active travel and tenants' rights, Patrick Harvie MSP, far left, was in Caol on Monday morning to cut the ribbon to officially launch Lochaber Environmental Group's (LEG) new electric bike share scheme.
Also pictured are, from left, Dr Kate Willis, project manager; Marian Austin, LEG chairperson, and Rachel McKerral, project officer. Full story
Holyrood minister Patrick Harvie MSP found himself dodging rain squalls as he happily buzzed around Caol square on two wheels on Monday as part of his visit to officially launch Lochaber Environmental Group’s (LEG) new electric bike share scheme.
The launch of LEG’s Caol HiBike hub sees 60 electric bikes now being made available for hire in the town, with other docking stations located at The Travel Centre, Fort William High Street, Inverlochy, Kilmallie Community Centre (Corpach) Highland Council offices, West Highland College and the Medical Centre.
Hi-Bike offers a range of membership options, from pay per ride to monthly and annual membership. Shorter membership options include 30 minutes riding before extra time fees kick in, a three-hour pass for longer rides and exploration, and monthly and annual memberships that give 45 minutes free each ride.
To use the scheme, users simply purchase a membership online or using the Hi-Bike mobile app, or over the phone, and then unlock a bike from a docking station using a smartphone or membership card.
Speaking to the Lochaber Times shortly after cutting a ribbon to officially declare the new hub open, cycling enthusiast Mr Harvie, minister for zero carbon buildings, active travel and tenants’ rights, praised LEG’s achievements.
‘LEG brought together range of different funding resources, worked with different organisations, and I am pleased the Scottish Government – through Transport Scotland – has been part of that.
‘But change is at its best when it is community led and so it is wonderful to see their ideas turn into a reality here.’
Mr Harvie added that he felt the new electric bikes would be popular with both local residents and tourists alike.
‘Scotland has a huge potential to change the way we move about, to make it easy, convenient and affordable for everybody to use bikes including e-bikes like these – a little bit easier in some of the terrain around the Fort William area,’ Mr Harvie continued.
‘We need to invest in making those services available. Having the opportunity to hire a bike when you need one, undock it, use it, dock it again – it’s a really convenient way to go about things.
‘Lots of towns, cities and rural areas have already invested in these and it is delightful to see it happening here.
‘So I think we are likely to see many people, not just local people in the area but tourists as well, using the e-bikes. It’s a win-win for health, wellbeing and the environment.’ Hi-Bike Fort William is funded by the Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund with support from European Regional Development Funds and Transport Scotland, and Highland Council.
Kate Willis from LEG, added: ‘Hi-Bike will give Lochaber residents and visitors the option to make their short daily journeys around town by e-bike, improving health and wellbeing, as well as reducing carbon emissions.
‘The e-bikes are great fun to ride, the electric assistance makes the riding light and easy, and is great for getting up steeper hills, and the large basket on the front has plenty of room for shopping or heavy bags.
‘We certainly think the Hi-Bikes will be a great way to travel around, and in the summer months when the roads are completely clogged with traffic it will be much easier and quicker to get about on a Hi-Bike than in a car.’
And she added: ‘It was fantastic that the minister was able to come here today and launch the scheme. He came on the train and used the e-bikes to get around Fort William.’