VOLUNTEERS in the Wee County and beyond are being offered free bikes by an environmental charity.

Forth Environment Link has launched the scheme for 2023 and the first cohort of volunteers have already collected their bikes in January.

The Cycle to Volunteer project is inviting applications from anyone from the Forth Valley area who regularly volunteers and is over the age of 14.

One of the first recipients was Chloe Bruce, a volunteer with Food Train.

She said: “I am really pleased to have been offered the opportunity of a bike through the cycle to volunteer scheme.

“I’ve volunteered with Food Train for quite a few years now and I am excited to be able to leave the car at home and cycle in instead.

“It was a really easy process and I was able to choose from a good range of bikes as well as the necessary accessories.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity that I hope more people will get involved in.”

Volunteers can self-refer for the scheme or they can be referred by the organisation they help out.

Holly Hunter, Forth Environment Link project officer, said: “Unlike employees, volunteers aren’t eligible to get support to buy a bike through employer or government-funded bike schemes.

“The idea behind this new initiative is to provide that support and thereby increase the number of volunteers cycling to their placements.”

She added: “The bikes are chosen by the volunteer and ordered along with accessories such as a helmet, lights and locks.

“We’re also offering the option to repair bikes, if the volunteer already has a bike which is off the road, and essential cycling skills training.”

The project is funded by Paths for All – an active-travel charity based in Forth Valley.

Graham McQueen, the group's smarter choices, smarter places manager, said: “Volunteering and the crucial services provided by volunteers are increasingly important to all our communities.

“It’s great to see projects like Forth Environment Link’s Cycle to Volunteer scheme support and encourage volunteers to travel cheaply and sustainably within their communities and help them to provide the increasingly vital support that is needed.”

Volunteers can contact athstirling@forthenvironmentlink.org to find out more.