Article Source: Stirling PR
Last Updated: 1 May 2020 13:07
SURGE IN E-BIKE USE AS CHARITY OFFERS FREE HIRE AND LOANS TO KEYWORKERS
E-bike use in Forth Valley has soared in the past month, partly down to two lockdown initiatives giving keyworkers free access to electric bikes during the Covid-19 crisis.
Thanks to funding from Cycling Scotland, Forth Environment Link has offered keyworkers free annual memberships for its public electric bike hire scheme Forth Bike. The charity has also given NHS staff exclusive access to its Energy Savings Trust funded e-bike lending library.
Forth Bike usage skyrocketed during April, as Active Travel Development Manager Shirley Paterson explained: “In the past 3 weeks Forth Bike users have clocked up 10,000 miles, more than 3 times the monthly spring/summer average. With social distancing measures in place, cycling is proving to be one of the best ways to get around during the crisis. As expected, the main usage hotspots are in the vicinity of the Forth Valley Royal Hospital, with Stenhousemuir station seeing the greatest number of hires.”
The charity’s e-bike lending library has also been inundated with requests over the past 4 weeks. 32 e-bikes from the charity’s e-bike lending library have already been delivered direct to the homes of NHS and other keyworker staff across Forth Valley; with a further 13 e-bikes due to be delivered.
Active Travel Coordinator, Ray Burr said: “We’ve seen a huge surge in interest from keyworkers looking to commute by e-bike. We’re delighted to have been able to fulfil 32 requests so far and have ordered 13 more e-bikes to keep up with demand. The feedback we’ve received has been tremendous, with many staff commenting on the benefits to their physical and mental health.”
• GP Practice Manager Pauline Robertson from Falkirk said: “I’ve absolutely loved having the e-bike over the past 4 weeks. I’m exercising more and that has made all the difference. I’m feeling a lot better, my energy levels have increased, and the feel-good factor has encouraged me to go out for more walks with my husband in the evening.”
• Palliative Care Nurse Evelyn Paterson from Kincardine commented: “I'm loving the bike and loving cycling. I've obviously inspired some of my colleagues, as 3 of them now have bikes too. Every week I’ve cycled more. In week one, I cycled twice, in week two three times and in week three four times. I’ve hardly used any petrol in my car.”
• Ambulance technician, Sarah Cunningham from Sauchie said: “The e-bike means you can go a bit further and a bit faster! It’s been really useful for getting to work and for exercising on my days off. I haven’t been on a bike since I was about 14, but I think I will be cycling more after this.”
• Clinical research nurse Anne Todd from Larbert said: “I’m been loving the e-bike. I’ll definitely be buying one once I have to return it. It’s totally changed my commute to work.”
• Consultant physician Leah Leitch from Brightons added: “The e-bike has been brilliant. It’s meant that I’m cycling to work when I otherwise wouldn’t have had the energy, which has been great for my mental health.”
• Macmillan Cancer Support Nurse Helen Upfold from Airth said: “The e-bike has totally transformed my commute. Instead of hopping in the car, I’m using the bike five days a week. I’m enjoying the exercise and feeling much healthier for it. It’s been really good for my mental health too. The job I do can be quite emotionally draining and the fresh air is such a tonic.”
• Therapeutic Assistant Practitioner Donna McKinlay from Stirling said: “I received the electric bike 2 weeks into lockdown. The week before it arrived, my mood was very low. I’m now using it most nights and to commute to and from work on a Saturday. I feel that I have much more energy at nights after being out on the e-bike.”
• Rehabilitation Hub Administrator Gillian Millar from Dunblane said: “I’m enjoying the bike very much. I’ve not been on a bike for years and found this one especially good, it really helps going uphill and is very fast. I’ve only had it a week, but it is great getting out on it after work for some much-needed exercise and fresh air after being cooped up in the office all day. One of my colleagues was raving about it and it inspired me to try it out and I’m glad she did as it is brilliant.”
Forth Environment Link is also offering free maintenance and repairs to keyworkers who have their own bikes, thanks to funding from Cycling UK, which includes access to pannier racks, helmets and locks.
For further information about borrowing or hiring an e-bike, or bike repairs, contact:
Ray Burr, Ray@forthenvironmentlink.org (FALKIRK ENQUIRIES)
Emily Callan, EmilyC@forthenvironmentlink.org (STIRLING ENQUIRIES)
Image:Gillian Miller
National Theatre of Scotland launches a new interactive map for Scotland to demonstrate its love for the Big Yin, inviting people to share their own Billy Connolly memories.
READ MORETouring Scotland from June, the cast is announced for Hen Night Horror, an original musical comedy that promises to put the willies right up ye!
READ MOREAldi Scotland's popular 'Best Home Bar' competition has returned for another year, with a year's supply of beer up for grabs!
READ MOREPaisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.
READ MOREWith a staggering 14 million adults in the UK unable to swim, the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework has launched a new campaign to encourage adults in Scotland to learn the life skill.
READ MOREStirling Highland Games and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum Forge Historic Partnership to Commemorate Stirling's 900th Anniversary.
READ MOREStirling’s Remembering Together project is set to host a celebration of community, creativity and the changing seasons on Thursday 2nd May in the heart of Cornton.
READ MORENow in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MOREStirling Council is thrilled to announce the creation of Stirling Studios, which will be among the biggest film studio campuses in Scotland.
READ MOREFamilies have been following a fascinating trail featuring life-size brick models of sea creatures around Stirling at the BRICKLIVE Ocean tour which runs until Sunday April 21st.
READ MORELatest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MOREThe Stirling Highland Games Committee is thrilled to announce that former Scotland International hooker Kevin McKenzie has been appointed as the Honorary Chieftain for the 2024 Games.
READ MORE17 year old Brodie Brown from Stirling goes head-to-head for ‘Song of the Year’ at The John Lennon Songwriter Awards despite life-long physical and mental health battles.
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.
READ MOREThis year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MOREJoin Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MORENoughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MOREMacdonald Hotels, one of the UK’s most popular independent hotel groups, invites you to join them for an Easter break to remember.
READ MOREA mass gathering of heavy horses assembled at the home of Scotland’s iconic Kelpies structures today (Tuesday, March 26) in celebration of the forthcoming 10th anniversary.
READ MOREDobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.
READ MOREThe search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MOREThis year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.
READ MOREA host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.
READ MOREA range of Stirling’s outstanding independent business owners were rewarded with trophies last night at the city’s annual Business Awards.
READ MORESpring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MOREFull cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!
READ MOREDobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.
READ MOREA sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
READ MORE