A Highland cycling project helping people with disabilities and mobility challenges enjoy greater freedom and independence has been shortlisted for a national transport award.
The HI BIKE Inclusive Cycling Membership Scheme, run by HITRANS, has been named as a finalist in the Excellence in Transport Accessibility category at the Scottish Transport Awards.
The scheme is one of nine projects shortlisted in a category recognising initiatives that improve travel opportunities and accessibility for disabled people.
Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Glasgow on 11 June.
Launched as a pilot project in 2024, the scheme gives people in Inverness and Fort William access to adapted and specialist cycles that can be kept at home and used exclusively for up to a year.
Members pay £25 per month and can access a range of cycles including electric trikes and handcycles tailored to their individual needs.
The project is funded through Transport Scotland’s People and Place Programme and works alongside partners including Shopmobility Highland, Lochaber Environmental Group and Spinal Injuries Scotland.
Rebecca Purvis, Project Manager Transport Integration with HITRANS, said:
“We are delighted this important and innovative scheme has been shortlisted in these prestigious awards.
“It has highlighted the good work being done to make cycling more inclusive.
“We know there is interest in adaptative cycle sharing schemes for disabled people in Scotland and the need to receive personalised guidance.
“This is why we are trialling using the HI-BIKE on the street bike share scheme, available in Inverness and Fort William, to provide the platform for managing loans, with practical support available from local partners.
“Current members report how they feel better physically, mentally and socially through enjoying greater independence travelling on their own and fun when joining family and friends on days out.”
Among those benefiting from the scheme is 73 year old retired nurse Celia Talbot from the Fort William area.
Living with osteoarthritis and multiple sclerosis, Celia had been forced to give up cycling before discovering the programme.
Now using an electric trike through the scheme, she regularly cycles to appointments, visits friends and enjoys outings with her family.
She said:
“I love it, I am able to join the family and my little grandson on cycle outings along the canal bank.
“I use the bike just for the sheer pleasure of tootling along, with the wind in my face, seeing the surrounding countryside.
“These trips all restore me, it’s simply a joy to be out and about.”
In Inverness, wheelchair user and Spinal Injuries Scotland advisor Grzegorz Faryno says a handcycle attachment obtained through the scheme has transformed his mobility.
He said:
“Adding the attachment to my wheelchair transforms it into a super cool bike.
“I’m able to keep up with my friends on bikes, plus go further than before.
“Having it has been a life changer.”
The project’s nomination shines a spotlight on efforts to make cycling accessible to everyone and demonstrates how adapted transport can improve independence, wellbeing and quality of life for people across the Highlands.
