E-bike hire scheme accelerates in Inverness and Fort William in 2025 

Cyclists using an e-bike share scheme in Inverness and Fort William travelled the equivalent of almost three times around the world in 2025.

Figures released for the HI-BIKE on-street scheme show its popularity is growing among local commuters and visitors.

They made a total of 33,838 trips using the power-assisted bikes, with 71,175 miles covered in the area throughout the year.

Journeys ranged from short trips to connect to other forms of transport, to longer sight-seeing excursions.

There are currently 70 bikes available for hire across the scheme at 27 docking stations where cycles can be accessed 24/7 via an app.

Eighteen of the docking stations enable bicycle recharging, while nine virtual docking stations allow riders to end their journeys at locations without a charging dock.

Each station has been strategically located to serve workplaces, transport hubs, universities and residential areas.

Plans are underway to expand the e-bike project into Elgin with new bikes and seven docking stations including Cooper Park, the High Street, UHI, the railway station, and residential areas on the south side of Elgin where there are good cycle routes.

Information released by HITRANS, the regional transport partnership for the Highlands and Islands which manages the scheme, reveal –

• August and September had the highest number of overall trips at 5,269 and 5,257 respectively
• The next busiest months were October, July and May
• The average e-bike trip distance ranged from 1.81–2.52 miles, highlighting cycling as the perfect choice for short journeys or to combine with public transport
• The most popular locations to travel to and from were Inverness Railway Station, Fort William Travel Centre and Caol

Vikki Trelfer, active travel team leader with HITRANS, said uptake of the scheme will increase as awareness of its convenience increases.

She said: “The popularity of both Inverness and Fort William railway stations as pick-up and drop-off destinations for HI-BIKE highlights the important role bicycles play in helping the travelling public reach their onward destinations.

“HI-BIKE improves transport integration by offering a convenient way to travel a short distance.

“Good walking and cycling infrastructure, and access to bikes at railway stations and other key transport hubs or destinations, is important in enabling more commuters and tourists to benefit from greener and healthy travel and to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.”

Inverness has eight chargeable docking stations, including the railway station, Inverness Campus, Culloden Library, Hilton Community Centre, Highland Council HQ, Charleston Academy Community Centre, Raigmore Hospital and NatureScot Great Glen House.

Five virtual stations are located at An Talla, Inverness Leisure, Eden Court Theatre, Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre and Balloch UHI.

The docking station at Raigmore Hospital was installed during 2025 and is proving popular due to its location and proximity to bus stops serving several key city and Highland bus routes.

This makes it a key travel interchange for residents, staff, patients and commuters.

Fort William has 10 charging stations at the travel centre, Caol, Fort William High Street, Inverlochy, Blar Mhor, Upper Achintore, Corpach, Glen Nevis Campsite, UHI West Highland College and Fort William Medical Centre.

Four dockless stations are at Highland Council Offices, Lochaber Environment Group, North Road Retail Park and Blar Mhor2.

Membership of the scheme has grown from 3,573 in 2024 to 4,334.

To make the e-bikes attractive to visitors and local commuters a range of membership options are available.

During 2025, the Explorer pass offering three consecutive hours of cycling for £10 was the most popular payment option.

This was followed by monthly subscriptions at £15 per month featuring unlimited 45-minute sessions of cycling.

Other options include £3 for a single 30-minute ride, £8 day pass, £9 student pass and an annual membership at £110.

All offer cost effective options for anyone who does not own a bicycle or is visiting Inverness and Fort William for work or leisure.

HI-BIKE is funded by Transport Scotland’s People and Place Programme.

For more information on HI-BIKE visit the website www.hi-bike.co.uk.