Glenfarg Freewheelers need to upgrade our two foldable e-bikes to top condition and pay for hall hire to run an e bike maintenance course . Freewheelers is a group of community members who are keen to promote active travel and promote and support the use of e-bikes in our community of Glenfarg. We have formed a committee and are now a constituted group. We ran a successful trial using 3 borrowed e-bikes. As a result of our linking with other local community organisations, 2 fold-up e-bikes were donated to the project. These now require new batteries and upgrading to a good standard. While we have applied for some new hybrid, non-folding e-bikes through another fund, we are keen to make full use of the donated bikes which have a limited range at present. E bikes will be loaned out to members of the community for several days or weeks at a very low cost. These fold up bikes specifically allow people to commute easily and to travel further in combination with public transport at reduced expense which will help with the current cost of living crisis. The maintenance course will be run by Sustrans and enable group members to to continue to keep these bikes at a high and safe standard for the users. The village hall will cost £15 per session.
Glenfarg Freewheelers are confident that the community will make good use of these two e-bikes which are easily transported on buses and trains. During the trial, they were very popular with less confident cyclists but have also been used by commuters and leisure cyclists. The e-bikes need to be able to cover distances of up to 60 miles and have adequate power to get up the hills surrounding our village. Confidence in the bike batteries has been a major factor in people's willingness to try them out and use on a regular basis.
During the trial, bikes were used for active travel to get work, for leisure and for shopping. Some families have chosen to only have one car and have made good use of the e-bikes. During the summer months we expect the same uptake and realise we have further work to do to encourage new and regular cyclists and continue the expansion of active travel in Glenfarg.
This project will encourage well-being and support young families to cycle together and to access local towns and countryside. With long loan periods, general fitness will improve and in the trials some people increased from 3 miles per outing to 15 miles. By supporting group outings and family outings, we will increase the social aspect of cycling together and family members appreciate being able to cycle together allowing for different levels of strength and fitness. Because the village is in a hilly area, many people do not use their pedal bikes and promotion of e-bikes increases confidence in cycling from home. Where borrowers indicate that they will struggle to pay the borrowing charge, the committee will consider reducing or wavering it to ensure access for those on lower incomes. Finally, we are very fortunate to benefit from the community buses and having reliable and effective foldable e-bikes will allow community members to take the loaned e-bike on the buses and travel onward to their place of work/other destinations allowing them affordable and active travel opportunities.
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