Inner Forth Bike Bus

Objective 3

Status
In Progress

Our first season of the Inner Forth Bike Bus has wrapped up, after delivering a weekly Sunday service from 21st April - 27th October 2024. This pilot activity aimed to make it easier for visitors and locals to explore the landscape of the Inner Forth area and offered a transport link between various pick-up and drop-off points in the landscape, between Alloa and the Forth Bridges. Passengers on bike and on foot were welcome to use the service to help them cycle (or walk) part of the 'Round the Inner Forth' route, hop off at fascinating heritage sites, and return home or to a bus stop/ train station for their onward travels. We all know that public transport is a better way to travel than doing so by car, so our hope is that we will be able to provide the service in 2025, to ensure people continue to embrace this mode of transport, have fun, and choose a greener option on Sundays within the Inner Forth area.

Season 1 of the Inner Forth Bike Bus has now concluded. Picture, Andy McCandlish for Inner Forth Futures (c) 2024.

It's not always easy to come up with more sustainable, green methods of transport and offerings within the tourism sector.

Visitors to the Inner Forth area - as well as residents living in the area - might find themselves exploring a linear walk or cycling trail to a heritage spot, only to have to face turning back and heading in the same direction in which they came. They may not have the time, inclination, or level of fitness required to return to the start point of that journey, on their own steam. As well as this, public transport provision may also not exist and, if it does, it will not always necessarily be bike friendly and accessible for those on wheels.

To try and address some of these issues, we piloted the Inner Forth Bike Bus, which ran every Sunday between 21st April and 27th October 2024. We contracted PVT Transfer to run a minibus service, equipped with new bike trailers, operating on a circular route between Alloa and the Forth Bridges, with stops to link and allow access to lesser-known heritage sites, walking and cycling routes, and active travel hubs. The route, stops and timetable for the 2024 season are shown below.

We hope the Inner Forth Bike Bus service will be able to return in 2025 to continue to provide a valuable link, offering locals and visitors, alike, the opportunity to discover the fascinating built and natural heritage the area has to offer.

Here are some reactions from passengers who used the service in 2024:

"Got the bus yesterday from Alloa to South Queensferry then cycled home. Amazing service!"

"We had a great driver, pick up and drop off. Excellent service and really hope you can get more folks using it."

"I think it is a brilliant initiative and I will be sure to use it again. I really enjoy seeing the changing natural and built heritage of the Inner Forth as I cycle around. I am sure I will be using the service many times over the coming months."

WE STILL NEED YOUR FEEDBACK! If you used the service in 2024, please tell us your thoughts by filling in this short survey:

https://tinyurl.com/2s757uwh

Please check back soon for up-to-date news on the Inner Forth Bike Bus and future service information for 2025.

Buckle up and try out the FREE Inner Forth Bike Bus, which operates every Sunday until 27th October 2024

Our Bike Bus can accommodate up to 12 standard cycles and non-standard bikes can also be accommodated

Walkers are also welcome to use the service! Our Comms Officer, Laura, took the bus to Culross recently

Project Location

Funded by

Crown Estate funding via Fife Council

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