One of the ideas in Pen Llŷn’s Community Climate Action Plan was to promote cycling to locals and visitors, remove barriers to cycling and to set up a cycling group. As a response, the Llŷn Cycling Strategy Group was established in October 2023 with representatives from the GwyrddNi Assembly, Darganfod Llŷn (a local private bike company), O Ddrws i Ddrws, The National Trust, Canolfan Fenter Congl Meinciau, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor (Staff and students), EcoAmgueddfa, Canolfan Pen y Graig and Sustrans.
This collaboration resulted in the renting of a space at Canolfan Menter Congl Menciau, Botwnnog – Hwb Beics GwyrddNi – to store the bikes. O Ddrws i Ddrws secured 13 electric bikes from Sustrans, 10 originally on loan until the end of August, but they have now agreed an extension and given a further 7 bikes. It took some time to develop an operating model, set up loan agreements, securing insurance and to promote the scheme, but people can now join Hwb Beics Llŷn for £20 a month, which allows them to borrow an electric bike.
All bicycles were borrowed and a waiting list grew quickly. So far 40 people have borrowed a bicycle, and the feedback has been very positive – with some people enjoying their experience so much that they bought their own bicycle soon after!
Read this blog post by Elin Fflur about her experience of borrowing an electric bicycle: https://www.gwyrddni.cymru/en/cyclingpenllyn/
Contact dafydd.rhys@ynnillyn.cymru to be part of the Strategy group or if you want to borrow a bike!
