Electric bike scheme in Highland capital aims to get more folk cycling as HI-BIKE outlines how it will work
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A NEW electric bike share scheme in the Highland capital is set to enable more people to get cycling.
HI-BIKE will see 30 bikes being made available for hire during its first phase and will comprise three docking stations at Inverness Railway Station, Inverness Campus and Great Glen House at Leachkin.
It will be expanded over the next 12 months with additional bikes and docking stations to provide access from more residential areas.
It is being promoted by regional transport partnership HiTrans in conjunction with Highland Council.
The scheme offers various membership options, from pay per ride to monthly or yearly membership.
Shorter membership options include 30 minutes free riding before extra time fees kick in, and monthly and yearly membership gives 45 minutes free each ride.
HiTrans chairman Allan Henderson said: “HI-BIKE gives residents and visitors more options for making shorter journeys within the city by bike, helping to reduce carbon emissions and pollution, and improving health and wellbeing.”
Inverness MP Drew Hendry, a keen cyclist, was at the launch.
“I’m looking forward to the rollout of the scheme across Inverness, confirming its position as a major cycling city, and to other communities in the Highlands,” he said.
HI-BIKE is operated by a Canadian company, Bewegen.
The first phase was made possible with funding from Transport Scotland and the EU project Stronger Combined, and support from Smarter Choices Smarter Places.
To use the service, users can buy a membership online or use the HI-BIKE mobile app.
nMore at www.hi-bike.co.uk.
