E-bike scheme returns after vandalism and 'joyrides'

Some e-bikes were vandalised at docking stations where they were charged up

A vandal-hit Highland electric bike scheme is to be relaunched following £100,000-worth of repairs - and with smaller front baskets fitted to bikes to discourage "joyriding".

Public transport group Hitrans suspended its Hi-Bike service in Inverness in late June after just six of its 56 bikes in the city were left useable.

It some bikes and docking stations were damaged by people trying to wrench the bikes free to then taken them on joyrides with a passenger sitting in the front basket.

The scheme is to reintroduced in phases with extra security measures in place.

The first phase of the reintroduction includes bikes and charging stations at Inverness' railway station, Hilton Community Centre, Highland Council and Inverness Campus.

Hitrans said it had plans to open a docking station at Inverness' Torvean Mobility Hub and at Raigmore Hospital.

In total there are 48 bikes in the Hi-Bike scheme in the city.

Hitrans hopes to introduce the scheme in Elgin next summer.

Director Ranald Robertson said: "We have repaired enough bikes to provide a viable service and introduced additional security measures at the docking stations to prevent the bikes from being forced out of their docks.

"The key issue, of course, will be to get the support of the public in recognising the benefits of this publicly funded and environmentally-friendly service."