Residents and visitors to Inverness will soon have an extra option for getting round the city with the launch next week of Carbon CLEVER Cycles. The ‘Boris bike’ type of bike rental scheme is being launched in the Highland capital on Monday.
Carbon CLEVER Cycles is a collaborative project between SSE, Highland Council and Co-wheels, which will allow people to rent an electric bike (e-bike). An e-bike is a bicycle which can be powered by electricity as well as propelled by pedals.
Each e-bike has an integrated electric motor which can be used for propulsion and delivers power assisted speeds of up to 15mph.
In May, staff at SSE’s Inverness office were given a sneak peek of the bikes. Marianne Townsley, SSE Major Projects Liaison Manager, said: "The Carbon CLEVER Cycles project is a great way to help Inverness reach its goal of becoming carbon neutral and we are delighted to be supporting it.
"Some of the staff from our Inverness office had a sneak peak of the bikes. It was a great chance to test out the newest form of pedal power to come to the Highland capital."
SSE provided funding towards two charging points and lockers in the city. Each individual locker will contain an e-bike, helmet, bike lock, hi-visibility vest, pannier and 13 amp portable charger.
The initiative is part of Carbon CLEVER, a wider initiative which aims to make Inverness carbon neutral by 2025.