Carbon Clever Cycles, a collaborative project between SSE, Highland Council and Co-wheels, was handed the Scottish Environment Protection Agency Award (SEPA) for Excellence in Environmental Sustainability at the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) Highlands & Islands Annual Dinner and Business Excellence Awards on Friday night.
The event, held at the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness was hosted by presenter and broadcaster Jamie MacDougall and showcased the achievements of the region's businesses. The SEPA award for Excellence in Environmental Sustainability was awarded to Carbon Clever Cycles as it best demonstrated its commitment and overall approach to improving environmental performance and resource efficiency.
George Baxter, SSE Head of Development Strategy, helped launch the scheme last month:
“This award demonstrates Carbon Clever Cycles important contribution to making Inverness a carbon neutral city and we are delighted to be supporting it."
Carbon Clever Cycles is part of Carbon CLEVER, a wider initiative which aims to make Inverness carbon neutral by 2025 and allows people to rent an electric bike (e-bike) from various rental points in the Highland capital. An e-bike is a bicycle which can be powered by electricity as well as propelled by pedals.
SSE provided funding towards two charging points and lockers in the city. Each individual locker contains an e-bike, helmet, bike lock, hi-visibility vest, pannier and 13 amp portable charger.
You can find out more about the scheme at www.co-wheels.org.uk/ebike.