A Bangor councillor says that her electric bike is a complete ‘game changer’, and sees electric bikes as a key part of a happier and greener future.

Cllr Catrin Wager, councillor for Menai Ward in Bangor, was talking ahead of an event planned by Partneriaeth Ogwen aimed at promoting cycling and knowledge about electric bikes in Bethesda and Dyffryn Ogwen.

This will take place on Sunday 29th November between 11am-2pm at Llys Dafydd, the communal courtyard on Bethesda High Street, opposite the Partneriaeth Ogwen offices.

Catrin, who lives in Bethesda, bought her bike through the Cycle to Work scheme. She uses it to commute to work and says it has a number of benefits.

She said: “I work as a councillor, so I spend a lot of time in meetings. This resulted in me becoming idle, not great for health and wellbeing.

“I decided to try and get out more frequently on my bike, but for someone who isn’t particularly fit, it was quite daunting to begin with.

“Just getting back from Bangor was challenging, with the long hill!

“I found out there was a way of buying a bike through the Cycle to Work scheme, so I went for it and it’s fair to say that owning an electric bike has been a complete game changer in my life.

“I remember picking the electric bike up from Bangor and riding home to Bethesda. The next morning, I rode to Caernarfon!

“It takes me an hour on a bike, compared to half-an-hour in a car, so not much more.

“This means I use less petrol, so it’s good for the environment, as well as physical and mental health.

“It’s just enjoyable too; the wildlife you see… I’ve seen red squirrels, all sorts of birds

“For me, I see a future where I’m happy with an electric bike for travel and a community car for shopping.”

The electric bike event is being organised by Tom Simone, an Environment and Wellbeing worker for Dyffryn Gwyrdd, a three year project delivered by Partneriaeth Ogwen and funded by the National Lottery.

Tom said: “We recognise that electric bikes offer a greener, more sustainable way to travel and we want to explore how we can best take advantage of the technology in the Ogwen valley.

“There will be a range of experts at the event, with knowledge of the different types of bike and how to retro-fit old bikes.

“We will consult with them and the public on a plan for the future of cycling and travel here in Bethesda and Dyffryn Ogwen.”

For more information, email tom@ogwen or visit the event’s facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/events/845536126197089/