The pool of 12 e-bikes, held by the community path, Point and Sandwick Trail at Aros
an Rubha in Knock were off to a flying start on Saturday.
The free loan scheme is open to people in the Point and Sandwick area and proved a hit with a crowd from 14 to 77 years of age who came along for a taster session.
Trail Ranger Steve Gillion hosted a three-hour session at Tiumpan Community Centre
in Aird following one at the Lewis and Harris Auction Mart the previous weekend.
Coinciding with the monthly Beacon Café, the latest session attracted lots of interested
people along to see what the extra energy boost of e-biking could offer their pedal
power.
Ranger Steve said: “We’ve had so much positive feedback from the people who have tried the bikes out with lots of fun and motivation to get out and into biking.
“The e-bikes give just the right amount of power to mean that anyone can have a go
and I am always on hand to offer advice while people get to grips with riding them.
“E-bikes are fantastic for helping with gentle recovery from injury or illness, improve
fitness and offer a fun way to get around the community. Some of the people who have
tried the bikes out are recovering from serious heart related illness and getting
them out cycling has been a real confidence boost.”
Katie Ann ‘Nan’ Macdonald came along with her grandson Angus and the two had a great
time figuring out the bike, commenting “Fantastic day! I enjoyed the ‘ride’ with
Angus running behind me- didn’t think I was trusted going too fast once I got going.
What lovely staff and photographer, also Tom Clark so confident - all making sure
we enjoyed our bikes. Thank you for these bikes.”
Steve Gillion added: “I must say a big, big thank you to Lewis and Harris Auction Mart and Tiumpan Community Association for hosting us at these taster afternoons and making us feel welcome.
“We’re pleased to report a total success and lots of positive enquires about e-bike
loans. This Saturday in particular was a great afternoon and everyone enjoyed trying
out the bikes and left feeling more confident riding on the local roads. It was also
a lot of fun.”
The e-bikes were purchased by Point and Sandwick Trail in 2022 as part of their initiative
to get more people out cycling and funding for project came from a number of sources
including Point and Sandwick Trust, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Energy
Savings Trust.
Fun at e-
2 May 2024
