How an e-bike made Oliver's commute cheaper, safer and more enjoyable

On summer mornings between Knockando and Tomintoul, Oliver Giles would set off on his non-assisted bike. He’s an operations manager, used to long days and long rides, and the commute took around 80 minutes each way.

It worked – until it didn’t. By the time he got home, he was too tired to enjoy the riding he loves during the week and at weekends. With autumn’s headwinds on the way, he wondered: would an electric bike keep the habit going without draining the fun?

At the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre, Paula from our Connecting Communities programme met him with a fully equipped e-bike: lights, mudguards, panniers. She checked it over, set the fit, and sent him out to try it on his real route.

Borrowing the e-bike from Cycling UK has been great… Paula was a pleasure to deal with, having the bike checked over and adjusted to me before taking it away

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The first week felt different in the best way. The motor flattened the hills between the villages and took the edge off the headwinds that rake across Speyside. Oliver found he could dress warmly for cold starts and not overheat.

The upgraded Speyside Way between Knockando and Cragganmore gave him a calm alternative to the busy A95, so the ride felt safer and more enjoyable.

Soon, a pattern emerged: two days a week by bike, even as the weather turned. The miles were the same; the feeling wasn’t. He arrived fresher, with energy left for the rides he does for pleasure. The numbers made sense too: less fuel, lower costs.

I have continued to cycle to work two days per week and it makes light work of headwinds and the hills… As we enter the colder months my enthusiasm for commuting is undiminished

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The trial answered the question he started with. The flat-bar position was comfortable for an 80-minute run.

The electric assistance made the hard bits manageable without turning the commute into a workout he needed to recover from. And after living with an e-bike day to day, he could make an informed choice about what to buy next.

It’s saved me money on fuel and enhanced my wellbeing… I’ve always been an advocate for cycling and e-bikes and am now able to make an informed choice on a commuting e-bike

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In the end, nothing dramatic changed – just the right bike for the job. But that small piece of support turned a summer experiment into a year-round routine that still leaves room for joy.

With HITRANS funding and Moray Council support, Connecting Communities is helping more people like Oliver turn tough, windy commutes into manageable e-bike journeys.