As part of the Staveley Town Deal, local charity Rural Action Derbyshire has purchased five brand new electric mopeds and ten e-bikes for Staveley residents who need transport to take up work or training opportunities.
Triskelion Motorcycles hosted the launch event at the CBT training centre. Toby Perkins, MP for Chesterfield had some brief instruction and then had a go on the brand new Horwin electric moped. He even took the Mayoress, Heather Hopkins for a ride as his pillion passenger.
The event was well attended with a guest list that included Chesterfield Mayor Councillor Jenny Flood, Councillor Carolyn Renwick, the Cabinet member for Infrastructure and Environment at Derbyshire County Council and Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council.
Councillor Jenny Flood, Mayor of Chesterfield, said: "These new electric mopeds will really make a difference to people in Staveley and I'm very happy to be here today and support it."
Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Brough Council, said: "I'm 100% behind this initiative and I look forward to seeing the bikes out on the road soon. It's great that the full CBT training and familiarisation with the bikes will take place here at Triskelion Motorcycles."
Sponsored by Derbyshire County Council, the Staveley Wheels to Work project will offer residents with limited transport options the chance to have a cost effective and 'green' electric moped or e-bike for six to twelve months. The scheme includes the bike, insurance, road tax, breakdown, and maintenance costs for an affordable monthly payment, subsidised by the Staveley Town Deal funding.
Bev Parker, CEO of Rural Action Derbyshire, said: “We know that many people in this area don’t have a car and can find travel options a challenge. We believe that these bikes have the power to give people better life chances, to train or take on a better paid job as well as improve confidence and help them to feel less isolated. Our existing riders say that having their own transport makes a huge difference, as it means they can see friends and family and feel independent too.”
Toby Perkins MP, said: “This is an excellent venue for this initiative and I'm so pleased about the new opportunities these bikes may have for the people of Staveley who need to travel to work in Chesterfield and beyond.”
The project also supplies Wispa Wayfarer electric bikes, suitable for both road surfaces and gravel tracks. With numerous off-road cycle routes around the Staveley and Chesterfield area, some people may be able to commute without contending with traffic – ideal for those less confident on the roads.
Wheels to Work has been running for 20 years to help residents with limited transport options. The Staveley area, one of 101 towns invited to bid for a Town Deal, was awarded £25.2m in March 2021.
This funding has enabled the purchase of these new electric vehicles, which will help Staveley residents access work and training, improving their employment prospects. This scheme will also reduce transport emissions with these new electric vehicles.
Bev Parker, said: "We are also grateful for DCC for continuing to provide us with the essential revenue funding to subsidise the costs of running the scheme. It would not be possible to continue without this valuable support."
For more information on the electric mopeds and bicycles for Staveley, email: info@wheelstowork.org