E Bike Library Boost
Forth Environment Link’s drive to get locals moving is picking up the pace thanks to the delivery of 16 new e-bikes just in time for Bike Week (8-16 June).
Article Source: Stirling PR
Last Updated: 5 June 2019 9:53
The electric bike fleet, funded through Transport Scotland’s e-Bike Grant scheme administered by Energy Saving Trust, will allow community organisations, businesses and individuals across Forth Valley to try out an e-bike for free. With trials lasting from 3 days up to 3 weeks.
The bikes will be available from Stirling and Falkirk Active Travel Hubs (8 at each location) as part of Forth Environment Link’s popular e-bike lending library.
Stirling Active Travel Hub Project Officer, Stephen Willis said: “Thanks to the Energy Saving Trust, we now have a wide range of different types of electric bikes that you can take-away to try for free. There are foldaway bikes which you can store and transport easily, hybrid bikes which are great for commuting, step-thrus which don’t have a bar making them great for people with mobility issues and mountain bikes for those who want to head off road. But we’ll not just be lending the bikes out. We’ll be on hand to give advice and support on how to use electric bikes, how to look after them and most importantly how much fun they are to ride!”
E-bikes have both a battery and a motor, so riders can select different levels of ‘assist’ when pedalling to make journeys easier and help them tackle longer distances or hilly routes.
Ellie Grebenik, Senior Programme Manager at Energy Saving Trust said: “Our e-Bike grant fund supports public and third sector organisations to enable behaviour change through the increased uptake of sustainable and active travel, in the form of e-bikes, e-cargo bikes, and adapted bikes. This latest award will allow Forth Environment Link to make e-bikes available to a wide audience, facilitating access to employment, education, and local services. We hope the trials will lead to a shift to sustainable and active travel, helping reduce road transport emissions and improve local air quality, as well boosting the health of individuals.”
With cycling 50 miles costing as little as 5p in electricity if charged at home, e-bikes are already proving a hit across Forth Valley.
E-BIKE CASE STUDIES
Forth Environment Link has lent out e-bikes over 350 times in the past year and user feedback has been hugely positive with many locals changing their travel habits for good.
Andrew Morris from Menstrie commutes to his workplace at Eurocentral by e-bike, over 32 miles each way! He converted his own bike to electric after borrowing an e-bike from Stirling Active Travel Hub:
“I found the e-bike trial hugely eye opening to the potential of these bikes. I am an experienced cyclist and have used an e-bike a couple of times in the past but never for my very hilly 52km (each way) cycle commute, I had assumed was just too far. I was wrong. Using the trial bike made clear to me how capable an e-bike can be and I quickly realised what a game changer these things could be for sustainable transport. They are that good! The trial reassured me that an e-bike conversion kit for my existing bike, which I had been considering for a while, would be a sensible investment. The kit has given me the benefits of an electric assist without having to buy a new bike and it is so discrete most people wouldn’t know I have a motor helping me out. I had previously only managed to cycle to and from my work on a couple of occasions in the last five years. Now I can quite realistically do half my commuting by bike!”
Andy Hunter from Ullapool tried out an e-bike on a recent visit to Stirling:
“I suffer from chronic lung disease and have nerve damage in my back resulting in weakness in my left leg, this prevents me from walking or cycling any distance. I was sceptical about the electric bikes thinking I wouldn't be able to manage one or that it would be more like being on a moped which wouldn't feel like exercise. But when I tried one, I found I could manage and that I was pedalling so I was exercising my legs. I can see myself using this method of transport in the future.”
Mairi Osborne from Blair Drummond has gone on to buy an e-bike to replace one family car:
“I found the e-bike trial really useful. We were keen to see if we could replace a second family car with one (or two) e-bikes. This trial helped in making that decision. It does look like a feasible alternative for transport, so we have now bought an e-bike. I live a few miles out of Stirling in Blair Drummond, so the electric motor is great to speed up the journeys to and from town and to places like Tillicoultry and Menstrie where I go to various events.”
Jason Clark from Deanston borrowed an e-bike to commute to work in Stirling:
“I tried an e-bike in April. Beforehand I was a little unsure, was it a gimmick? However, after 5 minutes on the e-bike it was fantastic, such a revelation. I used it to commute to work in Stirling from Deanston 3 or 4 times in that week, it takes the edge of any hills and means you can arrive at the office at ease and without any sweat or red faces. You still pedal, it’s not a scooter, so you still get the health and fitness benefits. The e-bike was brilliant and I'm now seriously looking into buying one! I would encourage anyone to give it a go, even if they have not cycled for years.”
Karen Van De Graaf from Falkirk Grahamston, has borrowed a bike to transport children and art!
“My main role is a homemaker, which includes taking my two children to school and spending a lot of time running about! I’m also a part-time artist. This bike has changed my life and I really, really want one of my very own. It has saved me time and energy; and has enabled me to get more done (both when doing chores about town and when working). I was surprised to hear a lot of people suggesting electric bikes are for older people, or for people who are lazy, or unfit. Well I say ‘hurrah for electric bikes’, I'm an active woman in my 40's, who goes most places by bike or on foot, but I really loved making life easy for myself with the turbo boost button to get up hills. One of the key benefits of the electric powered bike was that I was simply able to get places faster than normal. It leaves me with enough leg power to get dinner on the table at the end of the day, even when I’ve been out cycling to the Falkirk Wheel and back! The time its saves, also means I can stop off to get some great shots for future paintings. I also loved the basket at the front which can hold 50lbs of weight. When my kids ask, "Mummy can you carry my school bag?", I say "Yes, no problem - pop it in the basket!"
FREE BIKE WEEK EVENTS
Stirling and Falkirk Active Travel Hubs will also be running a range of free events (from free led rides to repair workshops) for Bike Week, where locals can be one of the first to try out the new e-bikes. Full details can be found on Facebook.
FALKIRK
8 June: Cycle Falkirk led ride (free e-bikes) to the Kelpies – meet at Falkirk Active Travel Hub at 10am.
11 June & 13 June: Roadside Repair session at Falkirk Active Travel Hub 6:30pm to 9pm – wheel removal, puncture repair, fixing a broken chain, basic gears and brakes tuning.
15 June: Bike Week Big Day 10 – 4pm. Includes Bike Brunch from 10am and led rides (free e-bikes) to the Falkirk Wheel from 12pm.
To book your place (and your electric bike if you want one) call the Hub on 01324 230125 or email: athfalkirk@forthenvironmentlink.org
STIRLING
10 June: E-bike trial, Raploch Community Campus, 12pm.
11 June: Free Adult Cycle Lessons 11am at Stirling Active Travel Hub. Weekly beginner cycle lesson with National Standard Instructors. (Block runs 11- 25 June)
11, 12 & 13 June: Bike Week Mug 'o' Tea & Spanner. Bike Maintenance Session at Recyke-A-Bikeat 6.30pm.
12 June: Puncture Repair Class 2.30pm at Stirling Active Travel Hub. Learn how to fix a puncture and increase your confidence in dealing with those unexpected flat tyres.
Thursday 13 June: Free Adult Cycle Lessons 11am at Stirling Active Travel Hub. Weekly beginner cycle lesson with National Standard Instructors. (Block runs 13-27 June)
Friday 14 June: Bike Week Bike Breakfast 7am-10am at Stirling Active Travel Hub.
Friday 14 June: Dr Bike will give your Bike a FREE health check! From 10am at Stirling Active Travel Hub.
To book your place on or borrow an e-bike pop into the Hub from Monday 10 June, or call 01786 474160 or email: stirlingath@forthenvironmentlink.org
Sponsored Links
Latest Stirling News
Innis & Gunn Joins Forces with Stirling Highland Games in a 3 Year Cultural Celebration
The Stirling Highland Games has proudly announced a new three-year partnership with one of Scotland’s most iconic brewing brands, Innis & Gunn.
READ MORE
Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres
This summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.
READ MORE
FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July
Summerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!
READ MORE
Earlybird tickets drive buzz for 2026 Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show
The biggest show of its kind in Scotland returns with Earlybird tickets and a give-away with headline sponsor Border Caravans!
READ MORE
July events at Dobbies Garden Centres
Check out July at Dobbies with it's Little Seedlings Club on rainforests and Grow How on pest control and healthy gardens!
READ MORE
Historic Environment Scotland calls for public stories for national wellbeing exhibition
Historic Environment Scotland is calling for people across the country to connect with heritage to boost their wellbeing as a part of a national campaign, Historic Places, Breathing Spaces.
READ MORE
Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 adds two new categories and voting deadline extended!
Scotland's hospitality industry and customers have spoken, and the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 has listened!
READ MORE
25th year of Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway
Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway today, kick-starting nine days of dance performances, film screenings, visual art and photography exhibitions and community events across the country.
READ MORE
Exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland
Tickets are on sale for an exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland, with fans in for an extra special treat to take home.
READ MORE
Acclaimed debut Only Here, Only Now from Tom Newlands chosen as Waterstones Book of the Month in Scotland
The paperback edition of Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands has just been released - and is already making waves.
READ MORE
Feedback sought on new Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling project
To mark Bike Week UK, people across Stirling are being encouraged to take part in a new survey that will help shape active travel in the area and support the shift to sustainable modes of transport.
READ MORE
Stirling BID team brighten up City Centre with Blooming Planters
Pollinator-friendly plants, funded and organised by Go Forth Stirling BID have added a welcome splash of colour across Stirling city centre.
READ MORE
Funding Boost for Charities at Scottish Building Society AGM
Scottish Building Society marked its Annual General Meeting (AGM) by announcing funding to support eight local charities and good causes across the country.
READ MORE
Classic car enthusiasts set to visit Loch Lomond Shores
Visitors are invited to come along and get up-close to some amazing cars, set against the beautiful backdrop of Loch Lomond, as part of a great day out.
READ MORE
Paws, play and heritage on parade
Bark by popular demand, the Gordon Setter Parade returns on Saturday 5th July as part of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair, held at the stunning Scone Palace.
READ MORE
Dobbies hosts brand new Fairy Garden Tea Party
Dobbies Garden Centres are inviting families across the UK along to its stores on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th of June to spend a magical afternoon filled with fun activities and good food.
READ MORE
Stirling celebrates its rich history at the Walking of the Marches
Stirling’s rich history and heritage was celebrated at its annual Walking of the Marches, which dates back to at least the 12th century, on Saturday (31 May).
READ MORE
Have your say on plans for a sustainable transport system in Stirling
People will have the opportunity to shape a future transport system for Stirling that is fair, clean and affordable with the launch of a new consultation.
READ MORE
How to train your Dad in 4DX Cineworld enlists Gerard Butler
Cineworld is launching a brand new 4DX Father's Day gift experience, containing two 4DX tickets and ponchos, perfect for experiencing the new live-action "How to Train Your Dragon" film.
READ MORE
Summer of Roses: Free gardening workshop at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a free Rose-themed Grow How workshop this June, sharing top tips for caring for this beloved flowering plant.
READ MORE
William Wallace Running Festival seeks Teams of Bravehearts
Teams of runners have the chance to race through Scotland’s most historic battlefields and stunning landscapes during an exciting new event - the William Wallace Running Festival.
READ MORE
Cheers to 30 years: Scottish Bar and Pub Awards celebrate with public voting now open
Scotland's longest-running hospitality awards turn 30 - and they want you to have your say!
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Unplugged is coming this weekend!
Loch Lomond Unplugged, our FREE showcase of talented buskers and singer/songwriters, is this weekend and we’re super excited to welcome great acts from across Scotland and beyond!
READ MORE
Restored Memorial to be unveiled in Stirling
Restored memorial to be unveiled in Stirling's old town cemetery to mark the 250th anniversary of the American War of Independence.
READ MORE
Dig into summer fun at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting children to come along to its free-to-attend Little Seedlings Club, taking place across the country this June.
READ MORE
Aldi to gift year supply of free beer to biggest beer lover in Scotland
Aldi Scotland is on the hunt for the nation's biggest beer lover, as it revamps its popular Best Home Bar Competition by expanding the criteria.
READ MORE
Milestone year for Refugee Festival Scotland
Refugee Festival Scotland has officially unveiled the programme for its highly anticipated 2025 edition, running from 13 – 22 June.
READ MORE
Vue to host marvellous superhero season welcoming classic X Men films back to the big screen for 25th anniversary
Film fans, families and comic book enthusiasts are invited to rediscover the original big screen superhero team as a series of classic X-Men films return to the big screen at Vue this month.
READ MORE
Kids Fly FareFREE on new Loganair routes
Families can take advantage of Loganair's new Kids Fly Fare-FREE offer, allowing children aged 11 and under to travel without paying an airfare.
READ MORE
Find out how foster caring in Stirling could work for you at drop in event
A drop-in event to attract new foster carers is being hosted by Stirling Council at the Raploch Campus on Friday, May 16th.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links