Glenfarg's Journey to Sustainable Community Transport
The RWE Lochelbank Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund awarded the Glenfarg Freewheelers £2,599 to purchase a new gravel e-bike to add to their fleet available to the community.
In April 2024, the RWE Lochelbank Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund, adminsitered by Foundation Scotland, awarded Glenfarg Freewheelers £2,599 to purchase a new gravel e-bike, extending the range of e-bikes available to the local community and enabling access to off-road terrain around the village. More than a year down the road, the positive impacts are clear to see.
The village of Glenfarg in Perth and Kinross has embraced active travel through the innovative work of Glenfarg Freewheelers, part of the Glenfarg Community Transport Association. This community-led initiative aims to encourage cycling for all, reduce car usage, and improve health and wellbeing by providing access to e-bikes, safety equipment, and cycling support.
The Freewheelers project began as a trial e-bike loan scheme and has grown into a valued community resource. With an enthusiastic committee of volunteers, the group maintains a fleet of e-bikes available for community members to borrow for a small donation, making cycling accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
Meeting Community Needs
The funding enabled the purchase of a brand new mountain e-bike. The remaining £300 was spent on essential safety equipment and tools, maximizing the impact of the funding. This investment was further supplemented with a £500 one-off award to support the organisation with rising costs, an initiative that benefitted 1,131 similar organisations across Scotland this year.
The new e-bike has become the most popular bike in their fleet, attracting new borrowers and encouraging people to explore the local countryside and core pathways.
As one borrower shared:
"We are so grateful for the community-mindedness and eco-priorities of the Glenfarg FreeWheelers. We have borrowed bikes from their fleet on many occasions (our first introduction to e-biking), tested out various models and now invested in one of our own!"
The project has particularly benefited older community members.
One borrower said:
"We've used the electric bikes for my mum (70) who can come for a cycle with her grandkids and said she feels 12yrs old again!"
Building Community Capacity
Beyond bike lending, the Freewheelers have developed a comprehensive support network. Committee members have undertaken bike maintenance training from Sustrans, enabling them to service the e-bikes themselves and reduce ongoing costs. They've established partnerships with the local bike shop for parts and complex repairs, and secured storage facilities through Perth and Kinross Council.
The group has organized Dr Bike days (repairing 17 bikes), family fun days, and regular social rides coordinated through a WhatsApp group of 23 members. These activities have fostered social connections, with members now arranging their own group rides.
Impressive Impact
Over the past year, the e-bikes have been borrowed for a total of 443 days, despite challenging weather conditions. The project has directly benefited 62 individuals, exceeding initial expectations. The success has been documented through Facebook (81 members), a dedicated website, and articles in the Glenfarg Newsletter.
The Freewheelers work collaboratively with other local groups including Greener Glenfarg, the Biodiversity Group, Community Transport, Grow Club, and Glenfarg Community Council. This partnership approach amplifies their impact and strengthens community engagement.
Sustainable Future
As the group continues to promote active travel, reduce car usage, and build social connections, the Glenfarg Freewheelers demonstrate how targeted funding can catalyse community-led solutions that deliver multiple benefits - environmental, social, and health-related - for rural communities.
Find out more about the RWE Lochelbank Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund here.