Inverness residents encouraged to make greener journeys at pop-up mobility hub
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Residents in Inverness are being encouraged to make greener and more affordable local journeys with a new pop-up mobility hub.
It has been installed at Merkinch Primary School by shared transport charity Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK) as part of a wider £100,000 project to boost active travel, including cycling.
Mobility hubs bring together shared, public and active travel modes, along with community facilities, and redesign and reallocate space away from the private car.
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The hub will be stationed at Merkinch until the week beginning December 18 before moving to visit other Highland communities in the new year.
Widely adopted in cities across Europe and North America, they are becoming increasingly popular in the UK.
The hubs offer sustainable and practical solutions for addressing "first and last mile" connectivity challenges and curbing private car use.
The pop-up, or "parklet", in Inverness is the size of one large car and is designed to convert parking areas into a community space with a short-access textured ramp for ease of use.
The structure, measuring 6m by 2m, is wheelchair-accessible and incorporates hardwood timber planting and seating.
It has two bicycle racks, a bike repair stand, and a pump.
There is also an information totem with a QR code linking to a CoMoUK website page which provides details about sustainable transport options in the local area.
CoMoUK has received a total of £106,504 from the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Active Nation fund for this and another pop-up in a seven-month initiative.
They will tour areas affected by transport poverty, where individuals struggle to access essential services or employment due to a lack of affordable transport options.
According to the Poverty and Inequality Commission, there is a relationship between areas of deprivation and fewer transport options, with Transport Scotland figures showing just 19 per cent of households earning less than £10,000 a year have access to a bicycle.
CoMoUK is already working with communities across the country to prevent people being cut off from key services and opportunities.
The charity is working with the regional transport partnership HiTrans on this initiative.
Richard Dilks, chief executive of CoMoUK, said mobility hubs increase transport links, improve public health, bring economic benefits to the local community and save people money.
"This project demonstrates how hubs can enhance the experience for pedestrians, cyclists, and business owners by addressing parking issues and creating a more pleasant space," he said.
"It also empowers communities to take proactive measures against climate change and overcome barriers to affordable transport.
"The combination of the cost-of-living and climate crises makes it more important than ever to highlight the public benefits of shared, active, and public transport as an alternative to private car use.
"We are looking forward to working with community groups and organisations across the Highlands over the coming months."
