Moray Carshare offering new e-bike service from Tulloch Park, Forres
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ELECTRIC bikes are now available to hire in Forres.
Sustainable transport charity Moray Carshare launched the new service after installing two of the bicycles in a shelter at Tulloch Park car park behind Forres Town Hall.
Moray Carshare manager, Gordon McAlpine, confirmed two more e-bikes will be introduced in the spring.
He said: "Our car and e-bike hire services are affordable and environmentally friendly. E-bikes offer many people a way back in to cycling, and thereby to a healthier life style through increased exercise.
"The electric motors provide assistance, but you still have to pedal. You can choose your level of assistance depending on whether you are cycling uphill or downhill, or with or against the wind."
He added: "We introduced four e-bikes at the Findhorn Eco-village in the summer and the feedback has been extremely positive. User Dave Till from Findhorn said using one is like riding downhill and the experience made him feel younger and more energetic!"
Last month, Moray Carshare also introduced four e-bikes in Aberlour and Craigellachie as part of the Speyside Low Carbon Hub, which includes multiple vehicle charge points and improvements to the Speyside Way.
All of the e-bikes have been supplied through Forres shop The Bike Bothy.
"For those who are used to cycling, e-bikes are a way of going much further," said Mr McAlpine. "Many of our scheme members have used them to visit attractions they would otherwise drive to."
Moray Councillor Lorna Creswell (Forres, Independent) was at the e-bike launch in Tulloch Park.
She said: "Electric bikes will be something to ask Santa for and we’ll likely see more of them in the new year. The mechanism allows cyclists to ride on steep hills with greater ease and at their own pace."
Keen cyclist cllr George Alexander (Forres, Independent) is also a big fan.
He said: "E-bikes are my favourite invention at the moment!
"I was fortunate to be given a second hand machine, appropriately named the Gazelle, for my 70th birthday and in the past 15 months I have clocked up more than 2500 miles. I use the e-bike for many short trips but I also cycle to Elgin, Lossiemouth and Nairn quite often.
"Before this March, I often cycled to meetings in Elgin and barely broke sweat. The e-bike has made hills and headwinds a thing of the past and I can cycle to the top of Califer Hill without leaving the saddle."
The e-bike project is part-financed by the Scottish Government and the European Union LEADER fund.
To hire an e-bike you need to first join Moray Carshare at www.moraycarshare.com for an annual £20 subscription.
When in use, the bikes are locked using high security sold secure locks.
