Active Cairngorms E-bikes
Initially funded using European LEADER funds, the aim was to demonstrate that active travel can be a viable option for everyday journeys in the Badenoch and Strathspey area.
While the initial launch was delayed by the COVID pandemic, the project was eventually successful in showing that local residents would be interested and get great value from the opportunity to test out how an e-bike could work for them. Over the course of the project, 38 people borrowed an e-bike for 1-2 months.
Who got to try out e-bikes?
- More women than men took part in the loan scheme
- Most participants were aged over 45
- 10% of participants identified as disabled, with disabilities that impacted their mobility.
- Participation was through referrals from health professionals, peers and the local community transport organisation, in order to reach individuals who were more likely to experience barriers to transport
I’m considered disabled due to my mobility. It means walking any distance causes pain.… I can’t go a regular bike. I… have learned [from the loan] than when my knee is fixed that an e-bike will be a good choice of exercise and fun with the family.
C, female, aged 45-54
What impact did the e-bike loans have?
While getting to try and e-bike might be fun, we were interested to know whether electric bikes could make a practical difference in the lives of people who live in a rural area, known for its winter conditions and beautiful landscapes. Overall, the experience on the project was overwhelmingly positive.
In the time I had the e-bike I never used the car to go to the local shop once… I made 200 fewer car journeys and saved two tanks of fuel! Having the e-bike changed our lives while we had it.
It became the norm to jump on the bike to go to the shop and take evening rides around the village and further afield. I will be buying one as will my wife.
D, male, aged 45-54
Project impact in statistics
- 77% used their e-bikes for local journeys (commute, shopping, appointments etc)
- 72% of car owners said the e-bikes helped them use their cars less
- 70% of all participants felt more motivated to cycle
- 61% felt “more able to get about”
- 74% felt the e-bike had improved their fitness
- 81% said their e-bike loan had made them happier
- Three months after their loan, 50% of participants were saving or planning to save for their own e-bike, and 10% had already bought one.
Downsides to e-cycling
While most participants thoroughly enjoyed the chance to borrow an e-bike, a couple of people raised downsides as well. Two people explained that the responsibility of an expensive bike had felt a little overwhelming. Nevertheless, one of them was still considering buying an e-bike when a new work contract started.
To be honest, having a £2.5k loan e-bike in my possession just added to my stress levels… I would still consider an e-bike [when I move job] but I think it would have to be a folding e-bike.
H, male, aged 55-64
Not all of the loan e-bikes were such high-value items, but to provide the range of electric mountain bike experiences some were of considerable value. For another rider, they had not cycled for quite a while before taking the loan and they found riding it stressful. This is why it is important that loan schemes incorporate opportunities for people to practice, test out different models of bike and build their confidence, as we do on our Making cycling e-asier project.
Overall, the biggest challenge most participants raised to continue to use an e-bike after their loan was the cost of buying one. For some people, despite their keen interest and positive experience on the loan they were not in a financial position to afford to buy one.
Project practicalities and learnings
Two local bike shops won tenders to provide the e-bikes for the project, keeping money in the local economy. In total, ACE had a fleet of 15 bikes with a range of sizes and models (mountain bikes, hybrids and town styles) to accommodate a variety of users. Unfortunately the scheme was not able to provide e-trikes or folding e-bikes, which would have enabled a more inclusive offer.
Due to the COVID pandemic restrictions and short project timeline, there was no physical logistics hub for the project. This made maintenance and distribution more complex, and future projects can learn from this challenge. Trained staff who can provide basic repairs, access to parts and local bike shop capacity for more complex repairs are all vital for smooth operation of loan schemes.
In conclusion, ACE demonstrated the wide range of people who can benefit from access to an e-bike, proving that even in rural areas it is possible and desirable to use cycling as a means of transport given the right support and equipment. The challenge of e-bike costs is ongoing, but enthusiasm for the experience abounds.