Bike2Go scheme launched at Lochthorn Library

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 at 2:07 pm Text size:

Dumfries’ new initiative to help people forsake cars, in favour of other means of transport, was lunched at Lochtorn Library yesterday afternoon.

Clr Roger Grant and Stewart Stevenson MSP testing the new bikes

The Scottish Government’s Transport Miinister did the honours, launching the scheme and testing it out for himself. Also present were representitives of the operators; Hourbike Ltd, the Council’s SW Scotland Transport Partnership (SWestrans) and The GoSmart initiative.

Essentially, the scheme works in a very simlar way to the newly launched cycle hire scheme in London, run by Transport of London. Users register by paying £10 one-off charge, then are able to take a bike from any of 8 points around town, then drop it back at any of the other points. Charges are £1 per hour, but free for the first half hour. Further details are on the Hourbike website.

The Dumfries scheme is the first of its type in Scotland, as paves the way for others to follow.

A SWestrans spokesman said: “Each town has its unique transport needs and Dumfries is ideal for Park and Choose and Bike2Go. The town is compact and the distance to cycle in from the outskirts is reasonable. There is an extensive cycle network with investment going into cycle paths since 2001.

“The intention is to start small with 30 bikes with the opportunity to expand the project in future. Lochthorn Library, the location for the launch, is one of the Park and Choose sites. It can be quicker to cycle into the town than to drive and the route is off road. The Caledonian Cycle way comes direct to Dumfries railway station.

“Research has shown a positive feedback from the community about use of Bike2Go and in addition we expect it to be used by tourists. Dumfries and Galloway has strong links with cycling through the Tour of Britain, the Original Bike Festival and through the many opportunities for mountain biking in the region, including the world class 7Stanes.”