For one local resident, borrowing an e-bike from Dufftown & District Community Association (DDCA) has opened up a world of possibilities, helping her rediscover a love of cycling, explore new places and realise that age and fitness don’t have to stop her enjoying the outdoors.
Before borrowing the e-bike, she mostly relied on her car to get around. She regularly walked her dog and led a Health Walk, but arthritis affected her ability to walk long distances.
“I’ve always enjoyed cycling,” she explains, “but old age and poor fitness are a problem. I live up a hill and it is too steep for me to cycle on my own bike.”
For a while, she felt that her cycling days were coming to an end. She loved getting out onto trails and into the hills, but the physical demands of cycling were becoming a barrier.
Giving E-Biking a Go
The opportunity to borrow an e-bike allowed her to find out whether it could make cycling accessible again, without having to commit to buying one.
“I wanted to try an e-bike and see if it is worth investing in one, to see if I used it enough and if it made enough of a difference to my ability to enjoy mountain biking again. And to see if I could keep up with my hubby!”
Initially, getting used to setting off, the gears and power controls took some practice, but she soon felt comfortable.
“I found it easy to use once I got used to the gears and power control. Setting off was a bit tricky to get used to, but I soon got the hang of it.”
Then came the moment that really changed her perception of what she could do.
“I loved being able to cycle up a long steep hill and to be able to keep up with my younger friend.”
That experience gave her a new confidence in her riding ability.
More Than Just Getting from A to B
The e-bike hasn’t simply changed how she gets around. It has changed what she feels able to do.
She has explored parts of the Speyside Way that she had never previously visited, as well as forest tracks around Ben Aigen. She has also surprised herself with how far she can ride.
“I did a super 10-mile ride all by myself and could’ve gone further.”
Having access to the bike has encouraged her to be more active and get outside rather than staying at home.
“It got me out for a ride instead of doing chores!”
The bike has also created opportunities to spend time with others. She particularly enjoyed cycling with neighbours, combining activity with social connection.
Feeling Young Again
Perhaps one of the most powerful impacts has been on her wellbeing.
“How does getting out on the bike make you feel?”
“Makes me feel young again.”
Being outdoors, exploring the countryside and achieving things she wasn’t sure she could do has lifted her mood.
“It definitely lifts my mood being out in nature and I’m proud of my cycling achievement.”
Cycling has become something she actively looks forward to.
“I’m keen to find a way to keep cycling.”
A Change in What’s Possible
When asked to describe the difference having access to an e-bike has made in three words, her answer was:
“Opens up possibilities!”
The e-bike has allowed her to go further, explore new routes and enjoy the outdoors in a way that previously felt increasingly difficult. It has also challenged the idea that she was simply getting too old to cycle.
“It’s made me realise I’m not too old.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to continue cycling after the loan ends and would consider investing in an e-bike of her own.
Without access to the loan e-bike, she doesn’t think she would have made these changes.
Give It a Go
For anyone considering borrowing an e-bike but unsure whether it is for them, her advice is simple:
“Give it a go!!”
For DDCA, her experience demonstrates the value of providing access to e-bikes rather than expecting people to purchase one themselves. A period of supported access allows people to discover whether an e-bike works for them, while potentially removing barriers around fitness, mobility, confidence and cost.
In this case, the result has been much more than a different way to travel. It has been about confidence, connection, activity and the freedom to explore.
As she puts it:
“Having access to an e-bike gives me the chance to go further, faster and in comfort in the great outdoors.”
