Bike-friendly buses take to northeast routes
Twenty six new bike racks have been installed on buses serving two key routes across the northeast of Scotland.
The racks are available on the 201 route to and from Aberdeen and Braemar and the 35/X35 route covering Aberdeen to Elgin via Macduff.
The internal bike racks, a first for the region, marks a significant step forward in connecting transport modes in the area by improving integration of cycling and bus journeys, making it easier for people with bikes to combine both modes of travel. This will allow people to extend their cycling trip and travel further, and access off-road routes in rural locations. Combining a bike ride with a bus trip can help attract new and casual riders, making it easier for people to adapt their journey, whether they are returning with shopping bags or if the weather changes. It will also improve the experience for the growing cycling tourism market, enhancing options for cyclists to make the most of the beautiful routes, local communities and destinations along the travel corridors.
Each bus on these routes will be equipped with bike racks designed to accommodate two standard bicycles, including mountain bikes. The bike racks will be free to use on a first-come, first-served basis, without the need or option for reservations. A strap will be provided to easily secure bicycles, and the arrangement of the racks will not interfere with wheelchair access, as the wheelchair space is found on the opposite side. Buggies will take priority over bikes and when not in use, the bicycle rack can be folded back against the wall. There are fold-down seats available for passengers when there are no bikes or buggies on board. All buses on these routes are double-decked, ensuring ample seating for all passengers.
Councillor Michael Hutchison, chair of Nestrans, said, “I’m very pleased to see the launch of the new bus cycle racks and I hope this will go on to be introduced across more routes in our region. Alongside plans to install more secure cycle parking at key stops and stations, and to make cycle covers available on other routes, it’s becoming easier for people to combine cycling and bus travel.”
Councillor Alan Turner, chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee and vice-chair of Nestrans, said: “I am delighted to see the launch of this tremendous partnership approach which makes it easier for cyclists to travel on some of our key regional routes. By offering these bike-friendly options, we hope to motivate more people to choose cycling for our everyday travel needs and make it a practical way of travelling for leisure, commuting, or tourism.”
Rebecca Purvis, Transport Integration Manager, HITRANS said: “Making space for bicycles on bus routes connecting Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray is an effective way to enable more people to cycle for their everyday journeys and days out. This integration will allow travellers to extend the range of their bicycle journeys and fosters our regionwide ambition to make multi-modal travel easier and more accessible for everyone.”
Colin Simpson, Head of Visitor Services and Active Travel at Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: “We know Upper Deeside is a popular area for cycling and mountain biking for people from Aberdeen and other parts of Aberdeenshire. The ability to take your bike on the bus improves sustainable transport options in the Cairngorms National Park and we hope it will help people choose to leave the car at home more often. We are also pleased to see this is due to be rolled out to other areas such as the Aviemore area soon.”
David Beaton, Managing Director for Stagecoach North Scotland, said: “We’re proud to be leading the way in bringing bike-friendly buses to the northeast for the first time. By making it easier for people to combine cycling with bus travel, we’re giving our customers more choice and flexibility in how they get around; whether that’s for commuting, leisure or exploring some of Scotland’s most scenic routes. Our buses play a vital role in connecting communities and this investment is another step towards making sustainable travel more accessible, convenient and enjoyable for everyone.”
This initiative is a collaborative effort, jointly funded by Regional Transport Partnerships Nestrans and HITRANS, (People and Place Funding), Aberdeenshire Council, and the Cairngorms National Park Authority through their Cairngorms 2030 programme, made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Stagecoach have led the installation and certification of the racks. Aberdeenshire Council has coordinated the project among the various partners, including support from Moray Council.
N.B. Double-decked buses with racks cannot be guaranteed on the shorter-route 202 service (between Aberdeen and Torphins/Tarland) but will feature on all 201 services serving the full Aberdeen to Ballater/Braemar route.