ALL THINGS CYCLING…
The Initiative
ALL THINGS CYCLING…
We provide free E-bike rides for all abilities using electric bikes.
We offer the following options for anyone to come try out an e-bike:
Confidence Rides
If there is some aspect of cycling around Dalbeattie that you are unsure of or feel you could benefit from advice from our experienced volunteers then we can try to help. Maybe you are new to cycling or just getting into riding an e-bike, for example, we have helped people with the following:
Building confidence to cycle on the high street
Ride to practice getting the most out of the assist from an e-bike
Adjusting the brake and gear controls of a bike to make it easier to use with arthritis
Cycle route to work to discuss route options and safety tips
Showing quiet routes to get to shops in Castle Douglas
Practice starting and stopping when loaded up with shopping
Advice on charging and worries about battery charger getting too hot
Practice oiling the chain to prepare the bike for winter
Practice on puncture repair and discussing
Confidence rides can be arranged to suit you, please get in contact if you think we can help.
Group Rides
We have weekly group rides led by volunteers from The initiative.
Rides start and finish in Dalbeattie and use a mixture of quiet roads, cycle paths and woodland tracks.
The group rides are for all abilities and experiences, rides are up to about 2 hours long with the route and pace chosen to suit the participants.
Group rides give a chance for riders to:
Try out an e-bike on longer rides and in different scenarios
Talk to other riders about their experience with e-bikes
Use the e-bikes for regular exercise
Explore the local area and find new places to cycle and enjoy
Meet like-minded people
Rides leave at 1pm from the rear of MPG cycles on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.
Book A Ride Today
Our e-bikes are free to use and rides are free to join
To book onto a ride please contact us:
Funding for project is provided by D&G council through partnership with SWestrans.
SWESTRANS is one of seven Regional Transport Partnerships in Scotland and covers an area contiguous within the boundaries of Dumfries and Galloway Council.
The Partnership Board consists of five Councillor members and two external members, one from South of Scotland Enterprise and one from NHS Dumfries and Galloway.
As part of a balanced transport strategy the provision of good, reasonably priced public transport services is essential.
Dalbeattie Community Initiative is an affiliated group with Cycling UK
The Initiative Scot
More Details About E-Bikes
An e-bike has an electric motor which can assist with pedalling up to a maximum speed of 15.5mph. Our bikes in Dalbeattie use Bosch motors which drive the cranks as you pedal. The amount of assistance which the motor gives to the rider is chosen using a control on the handlebars.
E-Bike Motor
E-Bike Control
The motor on an e-bike helps the rider turn the pedals which reduces the effort needed to cycle. This makes e-bikes a great way to get back into cycling, improve fitness or as an alternative to using a vehicle for transport.
We have a selection of bikes available to use in two different styles:
Our touring hybrid bikes have an upright riding position and have a built-in luggage rack on the rear of the bike so they are a good option for riding around town.
Our mountain bikes have knobblier tyres so they provide a bit more grip when riding on forest roads.
We have a small, medium and large sized bike in both styles. The small and medium touring hybrid bikes are easy entry style, meaning they do not have a top tube on the frame so they can step through to mount.
For reference, the sizes and models of e-bikes we have available are to download
We have contacts with other local cycling groups so can also make arrangements to trial trikes or cargo bikes, please get in contact.
Route Details
Through our rides, we have developed a series of routes which we feel provide a good introduction to cycling around the town to build confidence and explore the area. These are available for people to view or download on our Ride with GPS account – (https://ridewithgps.com/users/2027375)
If you have any questions or feedback about the routes please contact Tom on 07835 821 976 or email thomas71.dci@gmail.com