Erin Charters, 24, from Loch Lomond was inspired to start her electric bike hire business during an Open University (OU) module on renewable energy. The young entrepreneur and mum is using her degree in Environmental Science to power her business and spark sustainable change within her community.
“I started Cycle Luss with the idea of wanting to make an impact and wanting to give people the opportunity to experience what electric power is,” explains Erin.
“I have always been quite sporty and enjoyed riding bikes and then I came across e-bikes when I was studying a renewable energy module. We were talking about changing lifestyle habits.
“The OU has really helped me to understand about renewable energy and the benefits of electric power and I wanted to use that and set up a business here where I live. I’m surrounded by beautiful mountains, hills and the Loch and this is what I want to preserve. I want to preserve this nice area so it can be here for millions of years to come.”
Changing people’s perceptions
Erin was recently awarded a grant by her local council in order to grow her business and encourage more people to use electric bikes as a form of transport. She says that studying with the OU has given her entrepreneurial skills and the confidence needed to push herself and her business forward:
“My studies have revolved around climate change and other really important problems. I was able to show the local council that Cycle Luss was a solution to these problems even though it’s on quite a small scale. I’ve had to really build relationships with tour companies, hotel managers and various other businesses and I think I was able to do that because of the communication skills that I learned during my OU course.
“The course focuses on learning about the environment, the problems and solution, and I don’t just want to study that – I want to do that as well and to share my knowledge. I think studying gave me the confidence to start speaking up about what I’ve learned over the last few years and change people’s perceptions of climate change.”
Follow your passion to make positive change
Growing up in Loch Lomond helps inspire Erin’s passion for nature and with the flexibility of the OU, she can continue to raise her son, work and study in the place that she loves – while still receiving support from other students:
“[A supportive community] is pretty important. I connect with students on various platforms, first of all online. There’s the student support network, there’s the module forums – that’s where I can talk to everyone on my module and everyone in my tutor group. It’s a really great way to keep in contact. My tutors as well are super supportive.”
Erin is in her final year of studying and has already started to apply for graduate jobs within the environmental industry. It’s her ambition to continue raising awareness of the importance of climate change – for her son and future generations:
“I’d like to leave behind a world where we’re all thriving in terms of the air that we breath and where the ecosystems are not causing bio-diversity loss. I think everyone can all play their part, it’s just about getting the conversation started, it’s about climate change and speaking about what we should do individually and what we should then do as a family or as friends and then furthermore in your community.
“So my advice for future OU students is to find out what motivates you, what gets you out of bed in the morning and I think when you really find that passion you can do amazing things. The knowledge gained from studying at the OU has given me the confidence to start engaging in conversation about climate change and making a difference.”
Generation change: The ones to watch
OU students aren’t just changing their futures – they’re helping to change the world. Entrepreneur Erin is featured in a new ‘Ones to watch’ series with MTV Generation Change, which showcases the OU students who are using their qualifications to make a difference to people and the planet. Watch the latest episode now with presenter Munya Chawawa to see how the things Erin’s learnt on the course are now catapulting her into the exciting world of being an entrepreneur.
