Over £250k for e-Bikes... paid by YOU

MORE than 100 electric bikes have been provided to organisations throughout Scotland in the latest award of taxpayers’ cash.

Around £273,000 has been awarded by the Scottish Government to the e-Bike Grant Fund for 2019/20, with more expected to be approved by the end of the year. It takes the number of funded e-Bikes to more than 600.

Groups receiving e-Bikes through the funding this time around include Twechar Community Action, East Dunbartonshire, which will offer trials and a free borrowing scheme to the local community, and Ore Valley Housing Association, Fife, to support school visits. Transport Secretary Michael Matheson made the announcement to coincide with World Car Free Day.

He said: ‘I’m pleased that we’ve been able to help a further 20 organisations procure e-Bikes or e-Cargo bikes in 2019 so far.

‘This is part of our ambition to develop an Active Nation, where more people have opportunities to walk and cycle than ever before.

‘I’m committed to ensuring that people can access and experience e-Bikes in their communities in an affordable manner – to offer active and exciting opportunities to travel more sustainably.’

The largest electric bike hire scheme in Scotland was launched in June, with 120 available in the Forth Valley region in a scheme from Forth Environment Link, which also received funding for 40 e-Bikes.

Ellie Grebenik, senior programme manager for Scottish Transport at Energy Saving Trust, said yesterday: ‘The e-Bike Grant Fund is still accepting applications from public and third sector applicants.’