e-bikers inspecting pathways
A pilot project is in place to assess the usefulness of e-bikes with officers using them to check stretches of rights of way in both the countryside and in towns and villages, as opposed to walking to them.
e-bikes provide assistance to the rider when pedalling but, unlike electric mopeds or motorbikes, still require the rider to pedal to move so there are exercise benefits to the officer. The e-bikes have been purchased from Powys bike shops using funding from Welsh Government.
Countryside and Outdoor Recreation Officer, Steve Gealy, is taking part in the scheme, and said: “We are finding the bikes really useful. For example, I recently had to visit a stretch of land on the hill above Machynlleth Golf Club which was some four miles from the road. Normally, that would have taken half a day just to walk to that area and get back but we could do it in a couple of hours on the e-bike and we're still getting exercise.”
Councillor Heulwen Hulme is the council's Cabinet Member with responsibility for Rights of Way.
She commented: “This is another example of how we can use new technology to modify our working practices and become more efficient, minimise our impact upon the climate and provide health benefits for our staff, too.
“Earlier this year we also introduced our first electric refuse lorry and with initiatives like this help us to reduce our carbon footprint.
“We are really grateful to the Welsh Government for this funding which is allowing us to investigate which roles within the council and the health board can be helped by e-bikes when doing their day to day work.”
Parking enforcement officers within the council are also trialling the e-bikes in some areas and are also reporting positive results.
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