Staff are being challenged to 'get on their bikes' as part of a new eBike Scheme aimed at encouraging active travel around its campuses.
The University has taken delivery of 12 new eBikes thanks to several grants from Transport Scotland, Cycling Scotland and the Energy Savings Trust, totalling more than £28,000, some of which was match-funded by the University.
The funding has allowed the installation of a bike port at Old Aberdeen, the design and implementation of signs across the campus, the purchase of locks and the delivery of cycle training sessions.
An additional £5,000 to fund Dr Bike sessions at both the Foresterhill and Kings campuses has been awarded by Transport Scotland’s Smarter Choices, Smarter Places fund.
Kevin Mathew, the University’s Active Travel Officer, said that a staff trial will take place in June, before the scheme is opened to all in September.
“The new eBikes will be available to staff for business travel between campuses, as well as student societies and local community groups in Aberdeen, who will be able to take advantage of a group hire scheme for events, trips and other activities,” he said.
“We hope that users will effectively integrate active travel into existing activities, taking that first step before committing to the purchase of an eBike, or the transition to a push bike.
“We plan to use the eBikes for a number of events that appear in the university calendar, including open days, health and wellbeing days, and university-hosted festivals, where they would form a key component of led eRides, campus/city tours and eBike roadshows.”
More details on booking the eBikes will be announced soon. If you have any questions about the scheme, please contact Kevin Mathew at kevin.mathew1@abdn.ac.uk or Chris Osbeck on c.osbeck@abdn.ac.uk