Cairngorm cycle stores plug into growing demand for e-bikes
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Residents are being given the chance to hire electric bikes in the strath to improve their fitness and mobility in a pilot scheme promoted by HITRANS.
The regional transport partnership agency has joined forces with Basecamp Bikes in The Square in Grantown and Mikes Bikes at the Myrtlefield Shopping Centre in Aviemore to deliver the one-year e-bikes project.
The two local businesses have volunteered to run the pilots as part of a European-funded research project.
There are now bikes in each of the stores for local residents and tourists to hire and try out a different way of getting around or simply getting fitter.
Nevis Cycles based in Fort William is also taking part in the initiative.
Highland councillor Allan Henderson, chairman of HITRANS, said: “It’s so great to see HITRANS partnering with volunteer local businesses to deliver these pilot projects that will hopefully encourage more people to try out an e-bike and potentially opt for a more sustainable way to move around the local areas for certain journeys in the future.
“I’m excited to take an e-bike out for a try.
“Cycling is one of our most effective, healthy and environmentally friendly forms of transport, and we work closely with many partners to encourage active travel in our area and hopefully these e-bikes can.”
Mike Devlin, owner of Mikes Bikes, said they were delighted to be involved. He said that the popularity of e-bikes was growing by the day.
“They probably account for one-third of our sales now,” he said. “Folk are using them as a mode of transport rather than cars, and their use is about to get much bigger.
“As a business, we are very keen to support sustainable transport.”
Mr Devlin said they have 12 e-bikes now available for hire as part of the scheme with a variety of discounted offers.
The e-bike scheme has been funded by Scottish Government’s e-bike grant scheme delivered by Energy Saving Trust. Paths for All have provided marketing funding support to promote the EU Interreg and Horizon 2020 pilot projects.
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