Cairngorms chiefs are opening a new e-bike scheme to help people become healthier and feel less isolated.
The Active Cairngorms E-bikes (Ace) project will enable people in the Badenoch and Strathspey areas to borrow an electric bicycle for free and use it for their everyday journeys or for leisure.
It has been designed to make the activity more accessible to a larger number of people, offering them new ways to improve their health.
Bridget Trussell, who works on the project, said: “It will target those living in the most disadvantaged areas of Badenoch and Strathspey or those living with health conditions.
“Participants will be referred to the programme by local GPs or other health practitioners and we hope those using the bikes will experience an increase in health and mobility.
“We also hope it will enable people to feel less isolated and help them to get out into the community again.”
The Ace project will also help to lower emissions, with people taking up cycling instead of driving.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) has also taken delivery of two new plug-in electric vehicles, through a Transport Scotland grant, with a view to ordering more in future.
The organisation says the investment has helped to lower emissions by 8%.
