Late spring launch of HIBikes – Highland version of 'Boris Bikes'
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An electric bike loan scheme for the Highland capital has been postponed until later in the spring.
The Hibike scheme is set to be trialled city-wide but has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HiTrans) had hoped to start the scheme in January 2021 with around 30 bikes it took ownership of in December.
The delay in the rollout is due to the need to put associated infrastructure in place for the scheme.
A spokeswoman said: “Ebikes and equipment arrived in Inverness in December and are currently in storage.
“Arrangements are being made by contractors Bewegen for ground works and electrical connections prior to installing the bike docks.
“The launch planned for late January has been postponed to the spring, depending on Covid restrictions.”
Hitrans said the project aims to encourage more people to look at healthier and more environmentally-friendly forms of travel for everyday and leisure journeys in and around the city.
It is working in partnership with Bewegen which developed similar schemes in the Forth Valley area.
HiTrans active travel officer Vikki Trelfer said: “Our scheme offers membership to people on an annual, monthly, weekly or hourly basis.
“The first 45 minutes of each day are free to use, and after that there will be a charge. At the moment in Forth Valley that is £2 for each additional hour.”
Once the project does hit the ground the bikes will be located at Raigmore, Inverness Campus and in the city centre.
Other hire schemes are being piloted in Aviemore, Grantown and Fort William.
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