Santas set off on their electric bikes
After months of planning and negotiation Stretton Climate Care has announced the first electric bike hire scheme for the Strettons. Funded by a grant from South Shropshire District Council we have purchased four Kalkhoff Agattu electric bikes which are available for hire from Central Garage, adjacent to the railway station
The purpose of the initiative is to encourage greater use of bicycles as a mode of local transport and thus reduce carbon emissions.
With steep hills in the area, electric bikes seemed the ideal way to encourage both residents and tourists to leave the car behind when shopping or exploring the Long Mynd and surrounding countryside. Most residents who use their car to come shopping travel less then two miles, are often the sole occupant and on street parking can be a problem. Short journeys are more polluting too as the engine does not get warm.
By making four bikes available we hope to encourage local residents to try one out for a few days to see if they might go back to a bike. The bikes are light weight, with Lithium Manganese batteries giving an excellent range – some 30+ miles of average cycling for just a few pence recharging. They come complete with panniers, safety jacket, padlock and helmet. The technology is pedal assist so they are easy to ride, just like an ordinary bike, yet the powerful motor takes the strain.
Anyone over the age of 14 can legally ride an electric bike, there is no road tax, no parking fees and running coats are negligible.
We are delighted to form this partnership with John Mackenzie at Central Garage and hope this initiative will encourage more to hop on a bike for all those local journeys. As a further incentive to encourage this low carbon form of transport, The National Trust are offering for a limited period a voucher for free refreshment for anyone arriving at the Pavilion Tea Rooms on one of the bikes.
For further information and details of advance booking pick up a leaflet at the Central Garage (01694 723939), the Library or other paces where our free Home Energy Checkup cards can be found.
7 Comments
What a great idea. Can’t wait to try one out. Let’s hope they are well used and locals can be encouraged to leave their car behind and bike in to do the shopping. This will leave more on street parking available.
Where can I find out about the cost of hiring?
The bikes are on hire from Central Garage (next to Church Stretton Station). Ring 01694 723939 and Amy can give you all the details
First of all congratulation for such a great site. I learned a lot reading article here today. I will make sure i visit this site once a day so i can learn more.
Great idea – but bikes have pedals not peddles…. so they’re pedal assisted not peddle assisted (thanks John, we’ve changed it..)
Have you tried the Sparta electric hire bikes? There are 20 hire and charge points up and down the Suffolk coast. electricbikehire.co.uk
Well, nice buddy… Someone will love this article if I tell her about this. She’s really interested in this topic. Thanks again…
nice post brother..long live rider!!!
Hi, as a member of shropshire district council,I remember the grant aid given to puchase the electric bikes(brill idea ) but as a disabled person I am slightly vexed ,because they purchased all electric cycles that require a certain amount of input,i.e. pedal power. What a great shame! as a frequent visitor to the Cardinmill valley and stretton hills ,it would be great if a couple of disabled friendly ( operate motor only) could be purchased ! As I believe there are many like myself ,who would love to have the chance to ride the beautiful valley and tracks to visit the pool and other areas that we are unable to visit at the moment ! Still I live in hope ! Well done to all concerned ! It would be great if the Disability access people recognised that we need more than just crutches and mobility scooters ,both having limited access to many places of outstanding natural beauty and events that we disabled people are constantly denied ! would be great if we could get support from everyone so that we could get help to purchase these power cycles ourselves .many thanks ed havard (trying to improve things for disabled people
4 Trackbacks
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