Fancy trying an e-bike?

West Lothian Bike Library has a fleet of e-bikes available for hire. If you’re thinking about getting an e-bike this summer, or are curious to see if one would work for your commute, this is a perfect opportunity to try before you buy.

The bike library, set up in 2018, exists to make cycling accessible for all. They have every kind of bike available for hire, including specially adapted bikes to accommodate disabilities, a host of bike-related services and support, as well as free hire for people who are not able to afford their own bike (subject to referral).

The latest initiative is all about making e-bikes more accessible. E-bikes help you reach where you need to go more quickly and with less effort and more joy, reducing the physical strain and worries about “keeping up.”’ They make cycling an easier option for everyday trips such as the school run, daily commutes, or simply enjoying a fun day out.

According to the Scottish Household Survey, in 2022 more than half of the trips taken were less than 5 km, and 26% of journeys covering less than 1km were made by car. These sorts of trips can be done with an e-bike – an option that makes you feel good and save money while helping the local environment by reducing traffic congestion and air pollution.

The West Lothian Bike Library is a fantastic resource in Livingston and a friendly, supportive community where anyone can get hands-on support with e-bikes and adaptive cycles. In partnership with Go e-bike, an initiative delivered by SEStran, the Library offers everything from training to maintenance, making it easy for anyone to try out these bikes and boost their confidence riding them.

Angela Constance MSP tries a cargo bike, which is available for community groups to hire

More broadly, West Lothian Bike Library offers all types of bike hire on a half day/full day basis, cycling training, bike recycling (donated bikes repaired and given a new life), Dr Bike sessions and led rides as well as competitively-priced bike servicing and repairs.

Their services are available to anyone! Here are some ways they can help you:

• It’s been a long time since you were last on a bike, but you want to give it a go with a bit of friendly support.

• You’re struggling to fund your travel to work or training, and a temporary loan of a bike or e-bike could really help you out.

• Your balance is perhaps not what it used to be due to health issues, or you have a condition that limits your mobility, and you could do with a bike that gives you additional support.

• Your organisation wants to get more staff or students on bikes. West Lothian Bike Library supports all local ASN schools. For example, Ogilvie School Campus, which caters for pupils with severe and complex learning disabilities, many of whom would not have access to a bike or have the opportunities to learn cycling skills elsewhere. Mairi Ritchie, Acting Principal Teacher, said, “West Lothian Bike Library has supported us with gaining funds for new bikes and trikes for the pupils here, as well as training and supporting staff with the delivery of Bikeability courses, to help pupils increase their confidence with cycle skills. They have given us their time and skills, which have been indispensable to us and helped us fix and maintain our bikes that we use for classes. We have also had some bike donations, which have been really appreciated and are used well. Our school has a role of 109 pupils at present, and just now there are approximately 80 pupils using the bikes on a regular basis, all of which wouldn't have been possible without West Lothian Bike Library. Without their expertise and support, our pupils wouldn't have been given the cycling experiences that they get.”

For more information, please contact the West Lothian Bike Library on 07724 667321

https://www.wlbikelibrary.co.uk/

info@wlbikelibrary.co.uk.

Crofthead Farm, Templar Rise, Livingston EH54 6DG

Open Monday to Thursday between 9am and 1pm, and other times by appointment. 

See also https://www.dotheridething.co.uk/ for more information on the South East Scotland e-bike accessibility initiative

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Article published in Konect magazines, May 2024

Authors: West Lothian Bike Library and Helen-Jane Gisbourne, Konect editor