The Alternative Technology Centre (ATC) has been working with cyclists for years, offering reconditioned bikes for sale and hire through the 'cycle:recycle' project.  For many people living in hilltop communities, though, the car provides the only flexible way to travel to and from the valley bottom. 

Now, with a grant from the Department for Transport and support from Calderdale Council and the Upper Calder Valley Renaissance, the ATC is buying a dozen Raleigh Motus electric pedal-assisted cycles, or 'e-bikes', for hire in communities and tourist accommodation.

The scheme will have two elements - for the locals and for visitors to Calderdale.

we:cycle for Locals will be run along the lines of the Hebden Bridge-based 'Hour Car' scheme.  Two or three hilltop communities will act as 'hubs', to be overseen by local volunteers.  The new e-bikes will be available to local residents, who join we:cycle under subscription, paying a small additional fee to hire the e-bikes.  Hiring will be done online and users will be invoiced at the end of the month for any usage. There will also be a 'Hire-to-Buy' opportunity for locals, enabling a small number of people to hire an e-bike over an extended trial period of a few weeks, with an option to buy the e-bike at a reduced price.

we:cycle for Visitors will lease e-bikes to a handful of accommodation providers in the upper Calder Valley over the high season.  They will take responsibility for keeping the e-bikes secure, cleaning and charging them up.  In turn, they will retain hire payments from visitors to their businesses.

we:cycle will be phased in from December through to Easter 2016.

Paul Forrest, the we:cycle project manager said: "We are keen to hear from anyone interested in either of these schemes – whether you would like to discuss a community 'hub' in your village or you run an accommodation business which could benefit from offering your guests something a bit different."

Please feel free to contact Paul -07852 256196 or email