Ellon event will provide opportunity to try rental e-bikes
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A special event is being held in Ellon next month giving local people the opportunity to try out new e-bikes which can be hired along a popular north-east leisure route.
Aberdeenshire Council and project partners are renting out 20 electric bikes for use along the Formartine and Buchan Way among other local routes.
The public is being invited to an official launch event to try out the e-bikes at Ellon Community Campus on Saturday, May 13 from noon-3pm which will also feature Dr Bike, bike rides with the Aberdeenshire Bothy team, cycling merchandise and Love 2 Ride activities.
Under the initiative, the e-bikes will be available to hire from Peterhead Leisure and Community Centre, Fraserburgh Community and Sports Centre, Ellon Community Campus, MACBI at Mintlaw and Aden Country Park.
Although primarily intended for use on the old rail line, the e-bikes can also be used to visit other aspects of the north-east communities, with trip ideas suggested on the website www.ebikeaberdeenshire.co.uk
A haven for walkers and cyclists, the 40-mile Formartine and Buchan Way running from Dyce to Fraserburgh follows the former rail line and passes close to a host of popular attractions along its route including Aden Country Park, Deer Abbey, Drinnie’s Wood Observatory and several historic stone circles.
By its very nature, the former rail line is devoid of any steep gradients, providing the perfect backdrop for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy – including those who want to travel along the entire route.
The scheme has been made possible through a partnership between Aberdeenshire Council and Live Life Aberdeenshire, MACBI and Aden Country Park.
Aberdeenshire Council’s strategy development officer, Helena Leite, said that, in addition to the purchase of the 20 bikes, the scheme includes GPS trackers and storage lockers for the equipment.
E-bikes are very similar to normal bicycles, but have a small electric motor which can be utilised when the rider tires or encounters steeper inclines.
People can hire an e-bike in two-hourly slots at a cost of £6.60 per two hours, but first they must download the free mobile MOQO phone app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
They will need to sign in with their personal details, including their payment details, and then read and accept the terms and conditions.
When they open the app, they will see available bikes at the bottom of the screen, or can search and book at the top of the screen.
To unlock the bike, users must make sure they unlock it using the app before moving the bike as they are fitted with an alarm which will sound if the bike is moved while still locked on the app.
Bikes must be returned to the same location they have been hired from, but if they want to keep it for a bit longer, then they go onto the app to extend the rental period.
Helena said: “This initiative has been a long time in the planning, but we are delighted to have received funding from Aberdeenshire Council and LEADER to enable us to proceed with our community partners.
"We’re really looking forward to getting people out into the great outdoors using an environmentally-friendly alternative form of transport and enjoying some leisurely activity in our wonderful rural surroundings.”
Ewan Wallace, head of environment and sustainability services, said: “I’m delighted to see this scheme being introduced on the Formartine and Buchan Way and hope that it will encourage more local people to take up cycling or cycle even more.
"The e-bikes have the considerable added benefit of giving users a helping hand should they require a bit of power which makes it especially attractive for older age groups or people with physical or health limitations.
“Getting more people to take some healthy exercise is hugely-important and I can also see this e-bike scheme being particularly attractive to both local residents and visitors to the area.
"While the old rail line provides the perfect flat route for cycling, I would also be keen to look at other areas across the north-east where this might be introduced.”
