The following has appeared in today's "East Anglian Daily Times."
I thought members might well be interested.
I have not sought permission to copy here so it will be best not to copy this any further. I feel sure than no objection will be made to it being placed here.
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EAST COAST: Network of hire.
A SCHEME to encourage visitors to abandon their cars and go sightseeing by electric bike is set to be rolled out over the Suffolk coastal strip.
Plans are being drawn up to establish a network of 22 hire and re-charging points in the area - to make it easier for visitors to take to two, power-assisted wheels.
The idea has come from Light Electric Vehicles (LEV), of Leiston, which sells and hires electric cycles - modes of transport which demand considerably less leg-power than traditional bikes.
The firm carried out a successful "pilot" version of the scheme last year, limited to a small area including Southwold, Thorpeness and Aldeburgh.
Now it is planning to roll out the idea across a large part of the coastal strip, between Southwold and Woodbridge and as far inland as Framlingham.
James Fitzgerald, one of LEV's founders, said: "It is one way of encouraging eco-tourism. Even if people arrive on the Suffolk coast by car it could be left parked for the holiday and journeys could be made by electric bike.
"At the moment we have lots of cars travelling from one picturesque location to the next.”
Mr Fitzgerald said a map would be published showing the hire and re-charging points and the routes between them.
"The batteries are sufficient for about 30 miles and recharging takes about an hour and a half, in which time people could have a meal or a drink and take a look around the local area.
"The routes will as far as possible use country lanes and off -road tracks. We don't want people cycling up the A12," he said.
LEV has already signed up a number of hotels, restaurants and guesthouses which have agreed to participate in the scheme and to have battery re-charging points on their premises.
LEV, which is currently handing over electric bikes to both Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council, is now looking for other businesses to come forward to enable the new network to be completed. Anyone interested should contact Mr Fitzgerald on 0845 6026652.
Jim Brown, spokesman for the Suffolk Tourism Partnership, said: "The idea to create a network of hire and recharging points for electric bicycles is a great one.
"Through our marketing promotion campaigns and information services, we encourage tourists to consider reducing their carbon footprint when visiting the county on holiday. The electric bike will hopefully appeal to less active visitors who would not consider cycling as part of their leisure activity.
"The provision of cycling services for tourists encourages sustainable tourism activity and a fun and memorable leisure experience."
I thought members might well be interested.
I have not sought permission to copy here so it will be best not to copy this any further. I feel sure than no objection will be made to it being placed here.
==================
EAST COAST: Network of hire.
A SCHEME to encourage visitors to abandon their cars and go sightseeing by electric bike is set to be rolled out over the Suffolk coastal strip.
Plans are being drawn up to establish a network of 22 hire and re-charging points in the area - to make it easier for visitors to take to two, power-assisted wheels.
The idea has come from Light Electric Vehicles (LEV), of Leiston, which sells and hires electric cycles - modes of transport which demand considerably less leg-power than traditional bikes.
The firm carried out a successful "pilot" version of the scheme last year, limited to a small area including Southwold, Thorpeness and Aldeburgh.
Now it is planning to roll out the idea across a large part of the coastal strip, between Southwold and Woodbridge and as far inland as Framlingham.
James Fitzgerald, one of LEV's founders, said: "It is one way of encouraging eco-tourism. Even if people arrive on the Suffolk coast by car it could be left parked for the holiday and journeys could be made by electric bike.
"At the moment we have lots of cars travelling from one picturesque location to the next.”
Mr Fitzgerald said a map would be published showing the hire and re-charging points and the routes between them.
"The batteries are sufficient for about 30 miles and recharging takes about an hour and a half, in which time people could have a meal or a drink and take a look around the local area.
"The routes will as far as possible use country lanes and off -road tracks. We don't want people cycling up the A12," he said.
LEV has already signed up a number of hotels, restaurants and guesthouses which have agreed to participate in the scheme and to have battery re-charging points on their premises.
LEV, which is currently handing over electric bikes to both Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council, is now looking for other businesses to come forward to enable the new network to be completed. Anyone interested should contact Mr Fitzgerald on 0845 6026652.
Jim Brown, spokesman for the Suffolk Tourism Partnership, said: "The idea to create a network of hire and recharging points for electric bicycles is a great one.
"Through our marketing promotion campaigns and information services, we encourage tourists to consider reducing their carbon footprint when visiting the county on holiday. The electric bike will hopefully appeal to less active visitors who would not consider cycling as part of their leisure activity.
"The provision of cycling services for tourists encourages sustainable tourism activity and a fun and memorable leisure experience."
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