Bike Week
Seen above left to right are: The Bike Doctor from Halfords assessing cycles, Highland Council Chief Executive Alistair Dodds, Councillor Hamish Wood and Sustainable Development Co-ordinator Malina MacDonald.
After a busy Bike Week it is possible to see why the Inverness Active Travel Audit states that Inverness is well on-track to achieve the Scottish Government’s vision for 10% of all journeys to be made by bike by 2020.
- 50 Highland Council staff counted how many miles they cycled during the week. Staff completed a short questionnaire to receive a Highland Council water bottle and were entered into a prize draw to win a Tefal Quick Cup energy saving kettle: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7M6Q3WT
- 40 HQ staff had their cycles checked by the Bike Doctor and security stamped by the Police;
- A Bike Users Group is being formed;
- Nervous cyclists were offered a Commuters Course free of charge from Cycling Scotland. (Email green.council@highland.gov.uk if you are interested.)
- An audit of Inverness active travel infrastructure was launched at the Inverness City Committee.
Staff cycling achievements include: Louise Jones, Health Promoting Schools Manager and Ailsa Villegas, Sustainable Development Officer cycling to work from Kincraig and Aviemore respectively.
Andy Hume commutes 3 miles (one-way) to Dingwall and cycles most days. He also tries to cycle to meetings.
Stuart Black, Director of Planning tries to cycle the 2 mile journey to work 3-4 times a week. Stuart chooses this mode as it's quicker than driving across Inverness and keeps him fit.
Cycle Friendly Employer Award
The Council has gained Cycling Scotland's Cycle Friendly Employer Award for 6 office sites and was awarded a grant of £1,800 to install personal lockers for the Head Quarters in Inverness.
Cycling Scotland commended the Council for on-site facilities including: cycle parking, personal storage and showers, staff incentives including the cycling allowance, the previous Bike to Work scheme and green travel reports developed. Highland Council is one of only 30 Scottish organisations with the award.
Bike Users Group
We are currently looking for staff with an interest in cycle commuting and/or cycling for business travel to sit on a bike users group. Please contact green.council@highland.gov.uk if you would like to be a representative on this group.
Highland Council Cycle Rate
As a result of the Harmonisation of Service, Highland Council now pay 20p per mile for business trips made by bicycle.
It is generally considered that a distance of 1 to 2 miles is an acceptable walking distance for the average adult and that a distance of 3 miles is an acceptable cycling distance.
Is your business meeting within walking/cycling distance?
Cycle Route Map finder
Sustrans provide a map facility on their website home page where you can enter a postcode and view the cycle routes in that area.
Bicycles for Hire at Bellfield Park, Inverness
Bicycle Hire Company 'Ticket to Ride' are now based at Bellfield Park Inverness and have a large fleet of bicycles to hire. Just because we’re in the Highlands doesn’t mean it’s all uphill there are some excellent routes through the forests, along the glens and around the coast for you to enjoy and 15 miles of flat traffic-free paths right on our doorstep. Check: http://www.tickettoridehighlands.co.uk/
Pedal for Less in Inverness
ScotRail has introduced a 'Ticket to Ride' for visitors to get out and about in the Inverness area. The train operator has teamed up with Inverness cycle hire business Ticket to Ride to offer its rail customers discounted rates for hiring bicycles.
And staff from Ticket to Ride will even bring pre-hired bikes to greet customers from their trains at Inverness, Nairn and Forres stations at no extra charge so they can start exploring straight away. Customers arriving at other selected stations - including Dingwall, Elgin and Aviemore - can also have their bikes brought to the station, with reduced delivery rates applying for ScotRail customers.
A 10% discount is available on full-day hire with a valid rail ticket, and Freedom of Scotland Travelpass holders are entitled to 15% off.
Free Bikes in Inverness
The Multi Storey carpark in Rose street Inverness has a free service where bicycles are supplied free of charge (subject to availability) for use around the city. Donated bikes are also always welcome and can be collected. Please email: philip.barron@highland.gov.uk or phone: 01463 239786.