Opportunity to try out new rental e-bikes across Aberdeenshire

Five new locations have been added to the popular Aberdeenshire e-bike rental scheme.

Introduced in 2023, the Aberdeenshire Council initiative initially offered hire of 20 e-bikes along the popular Formartine & Buchan Way among other local routes.

Following a funding allocation from the Community Led Local Development Fund, these additional rental sites have been added:

•    Bennachie Leisure Centre, Insch   
•    Deeside Community & Swimming Pool, Aboyne
•    Inverbervie Sports Centre 
•    Inverurie Community Campus
•    Westhill Swimming Pool

The new locations will provide access to 20 new e-bikes fitted with GPS trackers and storage lockers for equipment.

E-bikes are very similar to normal bicycles, but have a small electric motor which can be utilised when the rider tires or encounters steeper inclines. You can hire an e-bike in 2-hourly slots at a cost of just £6.60 per two hours, but first you must download the free mobile MOQO phone app from the App Store or Google Play Store.

You will need to sign in with your personal details, including your payment details, and then read and accept the terms and conditions. When you open the app, you will see available bikes at the bottom of the screen, or you can search and book at the top of the screen.

To unlock the bike, users must make sure they unlock it using the app before moving the bike as they are fitted with an alarm which will sound if the bike is moved while still locked on the app.

Bikes must be returned to the same location they have been hired from, but if you want to keep it for a bit longer, then simply go onto the app to extend the rental period.

While autumn/winter might not be the obvious choice for cycling, the bikes are available for hire year-round. While it is colder, we can still see some stunning days during these seasons which are excellent for getting out on two wheels to explore Aberdeenshire. 

Welcoming the expansion of the scheme, Cllr Alan Turner, chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, said: “This is a tremendous initiative which is helping many people to enjoy active travel in the great outdoors across Aberdeenshire. Through the initial Formartine & Buchan Way activity we’ve seen just how popular e-bikes have become – helping more and more local people take up cycling.

"We’ve been very keen to add more locations for some time and these new hire venues will provide far greater access to our e-bikes for many more residents and visitors to our communities.”

For more information on the scheme including route suggestions, visit www.ebikeaberdeenshire.co.uk