LECTURERS and admin staff at Oxford Brookes University have started using ten new electric bikes provided for their use free of charge.

The university launched its e-bike scheme for staff on Tuesday as part of Bike Week 2016.

Tutors and administrative staff can borrow the environmentally-friendly cycles for free when travelling between the university's campuses – Headington, Marston Road, Harcourt Hill and Wheatley.

The bikes have been donated by the university's own cycle BOOM research study, a completely different project, after researchers had finished using them.

That three-year study, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, is investigating cycling in the "older population" and how it affects independence, health and wellbeing.

Dr Jones' project, which concludes in September, ultimately aims to advise Government policy makers, planners, architects and designers on how environment and technology can be designed to help people continue cycling in older age or reconnect with cycling.

Brookes' Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Julie McLeod said the university always tried to promote use of low-carbon vehicles.

She said: "At Oxford Brookes, we are aiming to have a culture of sustainable travel embedded throughout the university and improve the health of staff and students by encouraging active travel.

"Our staff frequently move between the different campuses, whether it is for meetings, teaching or an event, and the e-bikes will provide an alternative and sustainable means of travel."

The e-bike scheme will compliment other initiatives available to staff and students at the university such as the free "bike doctor" service, the "cyclescheme", Oxonbike bike hire, Brompton folding bike hire and a cyclists' expenses claim system.