Vandals damage Forth Valley e-bike fleet being used by key workers

Mindless vandals have damaged several bikes belonging to a free share scheme set up to support key workers during the Covid-19 crisis.
By Jonathon Reilly
Published 25th May 2020, 16:45 BST
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Forth Environment Link last month announced it was making its Forth Bike public bicycle share initiative free to use for those on the frontline for the duration of lockdown.

However, the number of bicycles available in Forth Valley through the scheme has taken a 25 per cent hit due to a spate of vandalisms.

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Supported by funding from Cycling Scotland and the scheme’s operator, Bewegen, the initiative has proved a popular way for key workers to stay fit while they commute, with users clocking up more than 22,000 miles since the beginning of April.

A number of e-bikes used for free by key workers in Forth Valley during the coronavirus pandemic have been vandalised.A number of e-bikes used for free by key workers in Forth Valley during the coronavirus pandemic have been vandalised.
A number of e-bikes used for free by key workers in Forth Valley during the coronavirus pandemic have been vandalised.

Forth Environment Link fears key workers relying on the scheme to get to and from work will be adversely affected if more e-bikes have to be taken off the road for repair and is appealing to the public for help.

Shirley Paterson, active travel manager for Forth Environment Link, said: “We’ve seen e-bike use triple since we launched the initiative on April 1 and the positive feedback we have received from key workers has been incredible.

“But we could help even more key workers with a fully operational fleet. At least a quarter of our bikes are currently off the road due to vandalism, reducing the number of bikes available to around 65.

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“We’re appealing to anyone who sees someone vandalising a bike or docking station to report it to the police on 101. If you come across a damaged or abandoned bike, please call our maintenance team at Recyke-a-Bike on 01290 438290.”

Bewegen program manager Gabriel Patry Desjardins added: “The Forth Bike team is incredibly proud of the impact the initiative has had over the past eight weeks with key workers across Forth Valley taking advantage of free annual membership.

“We’re working hard to protect the fleet and maximise the number of bikes available to key workers, but we need the public’s help to detect and catch those responsible for damaging the bikes.

“We would also like to remind users that the e-bikes are designed for use on paved roads and should only be used for journeys inside the designated area which is marked on our website and mobile app.

“It’s also important to make sure the bike is secured with the bike’s cable lock during stops to prevent theft.”