E-bike loan scheme relaunches in Point

A popular e-bike scheme is being relaunched in Point this summer, with support from Capital Grant funding from NHS Western Isles. 

The loan scheme, which lends e-bikes for local use has received an upgraded online booking system, now has dedicated truck and trailer for transportation and is being managed for Point and Sandwick Trail from Aros an Rubha Community Hub.

The pool of eight E-bikes, includes men’s, women’s and two cargo bikes which can take passengers and be used to transport goods is taking bookings via the Point and Sandwick trail website at https://pointandsandwicktrail.com/bike-bookings 

PSCCP Chairman, Tom Clark commented: “We are so pleased to be relaunching the e-bike scheme with the new booking system and a trailer and truck that will give us capacity to collect or move e-bikes for group use and for emergency purposes. This includes carrying helmets and safety gear or bike bags.  We are very grateful to NHS Western Isles as their grant of £15,300 have been used to purchase the new truck and trailer. Thanks also to Point and Sandwick Trust who provided us with web support to create a bespoke online booking system.  We hope many people will benefit from free access to the e-bikes on our beautiful paths.”

The Point and Sandwick Community Coastal Path (PSCCP) Committee are the volunteer group behind the Point and Sandwick Trail, a vision to restore and connect 40km of coastal paths from Stornoway, through Sandwick and around the Point peninsula. They successfully purchased a selection of e-bikes 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.   To date the e-bikes have been made available to people on low income and those recovering from health conditions.  More than 50 people have used the scheme, borrowing the e-bikes for a variety of reasons including recovery from illness and wanting to get fitter.

NHS Western Isles Chief Executive, Gordon Jamieson, said: “We were delighted to be able to support this impressive project, which assists people, irrespective of age, mobility and health, to take part in physical activity outdoors. This clearly positively impacts on the health and wellbeing of members of our community. We hope that this financial assistance will help the project to reach and benefit even more people, supporting them to become fitter and exercise on a regular basis.”

PST Community Consultant, Alasdair Nicholson, who works closely with the PSCCP added, “Exercise and access to the outdoors and nature are well recognised as improving cognitive skills, physical health and mental health. The combination of developed walking and cycling routes and the related e-bike project contribute to preventative conditions like cardio-vascular disease as well as aiding existing long-term conditions or recovery from illness across age ranges. The addition of the new truck and trailer will enable the project to reach more people, organise and develop more group e-cycling and the new structure will strengthen the team who provide the booking arrangements, maintenance and health and safety and other back office support.

Expanding the offering via the online booking system and under management of Aros an Rubha and Muirneag Consulting, the project hopes to attract new users and support wellbeing across the local community.

Photo (L-R) – Alasdair Nicholson (PST), Baiba Smith (Aros an Rubha), Rihards Reinfelds (PST) and Kenny Maclean (Muirneag Consulting).