Pool Bikes Update!
New shed in the Councillors Car Park with posters, helmet hooks, towel and Allan key
Our new bicycle shelter with new staff pool bikes, is fully in use now! Since its launch on 17 May, many colleagues have been seen using the bikes; both the push as well as the e-bikes.
We have made a few improvements which hopefully will make it easier for you to use:
- We have added information posters for easier and safer use of the e-bikes. These cover:
- How to use the e-bike
- Bringing back you e-bike
- How and when to charge an e-bike
- How to use the ‘plug-in’ pin chain lock (e-bike)
- Hung up all the helmets to help keep the shelter tidy and ventilate the helmets.
- Provided a towel, to clean your saddle with. The shelter isn’t dust-proof, so you’ll find that the saddles and bikes get a bit dusty. The towel will be washed regularly.
- An Allan key can be found in the shed too (on top of pump now, but we’ll try to find a better place for it), in case you need to change tour bike’s saddle’s height.
This is a great addition to our facilities and we would request that users keep it tidy so that everyone using it has the same experience. If you notice any problems or faults please email activetravel@moray.gov.uk to report the problem.
A reminder for everyone: the staff pool bikes can be used by everyone working for the council / with a @moray.gov.uk email address. That also includes colleagues working at other council locations, such as Ashgrove or out of town. The bikes should solely be used for working purposes (incl. commuting to and from work), which can also occur during the weekend. For more information and how to book the bikes, please find all relevant information on the Interchange webpage.
Staff’ personal bikes shelters
The ‘old’ bike shelter, next to the Annexe, is now made available for staff to use for their own bikes. The advantage of that over the nearby canopy is that the shelter is better weather-proof in comparison. There are Sheffield stands inside, which enable you to lock your bike up onto a non-movable object. The shelter has been cleaned-up and a rubber edge has been attached to the bottom of the shelter to prevent rubbish and leaves from entering the shelter. The door of the shelter can be closed, but will remain unlocked at all times.
A big shout out to colleague Jordan Bowler and his team of unpaid work clients, who have done this!
Rose cottage, as mentioned a while back here on Interchange, is back in use again for staff’s personal bikes.
So if you are looking to use your own bike or a pool bike here is a quick reminder of the bike shelters and facilities at HQ:
Staff pool bikes: new shelter at ‘Councillor’s car park’, including 8 new pool bikes, helmets, a pump and Allan key
Staff’ personal bikes:
- Annexe: ‘old shelter’ with Perspex windows, Sheffield stands inside (closed, but not locked)
- Annexe: canopy with Sheffield stands
- Annexe: individual bike containers (bike stands upright); contact Janet.Macdonald@moray.gov.uk for availability
- Annexe: repair station and pump
- Rose cottage: Sheffield stands
New pump next to Annexe – coming soon!
The public pump and repair station, next to the Annexe and underneath the canopy, has had a missing tube (pump) for a long time. A new pump has now arrived and will be installed very soon. The pump head can be used on two types of valves: Schrader and Presta. These types of valves are most common in the UK. Generally, but not always and exclusively, a Schrader is found on mountain bike type of bikes and a Presta is found on road bikes.
Schrader valve: 
Presta valve: 
For the Schrader valve; just apply the pump hose and start pumping.
For a Presta valve: unscrew the copper colour ‘ring’ at the top slightly (it doesn’t and shouldn’t come off entirely though), tap it once with your finger to release pressure, and apply the pump hose and start pumping.
The new pump (to be installed): 