Bicycle Association welcomes Scottish Government financial support for e-bikes

The Bicycle Association has welcomed the announcement from Transport Scotland that it will provide £1.3 million in new funding to support uptake of e-bikes and e-cargo bikes.

The cycling sector has welcomed new funding to grow uptake of e-bikes in Scotland, a decision that could transform the air pollution, obesity and congestion debate.

The Scottish Government yesterday announced £1.3 million in funding to make e-bikes and e-cargo bikes more available, including through interest-free loans, bike pool schemes and funding for safety equipment.

Welcoming the decision, Steve Garidis, Bicycle Association operations director, said: “Smart, clean bikes and cargo bikes can be a key part of a new green transport system which will power our future economy. E-bikes help more people cycle while e-cargo bikes cut congestion by reducing the need for high emission LGV deliveries. This support from the Scottish Government will help make this vision a reality and the UK Government should follow this example.”

“E-bikes have the lowest emission level of all low emission vehicles and yet they are not treated as part of the low emission mix in the UK – this must change. The full potential of e-bikes and e-cargo bikes is not being realised even though the infrastructure to support them is cheaper than that for electric cars.”