YOUNGSTERS who can’t get access to education due to lack of transport can now benefit from a pilot electric mountain bike scheme.

Gloucestershire Rural Community Council has set up the scheme to help 14-19 year olds get access to full time education.

It is open to anyone in the county who may be finding it difficult to find suitable public transport or are financially disadvantaged.

Four bikes, supplied by Urban Mover of Cheltenham, will be bought and fully insured for the pilot period and the successful recipients will be given basic training on the bikes.

The electric powered bikes are a new technology that allows riders to go further with much less effort. They are powered by batteries that can be recharged anywhere you can find a power supply.

The scheme is being funded by Gloucestershire Education Transport Partnership at the county council and will benefit 14-16 year-olds who are not eligible for a provisional driving license or 14-19 year olds who do not have access to public transport or do not have the money to pay for it.

Francine Burns, Access to Education Manager from Gloucestershire County Council said: "This scheme gives young people who would otherwise find it difficult to access courses of their choice, the opportunity to successfully complete their education and to achieve their vocational goals.

"It also offers a genuinely "green" and sustainable transport option for these young people and I hope to see the scheme grow in the future."

To find out if you might be eligible, contact Frank Scriven at GRCC on 01452 528491.