Bikes for wholesome food deliveries, kit carriers for beekeepers and photographers - more eCargo bikes will be on our roads, thanks to a scheme led by Plymouth City Council.
A total of 22 businesses will be getting on their bikes to deliver goods and services later this year as they have all been awarded a £4,750 grant towards the cost of the eCargo bikes.
They are robust, chunky cycles with a sturdy box at the front, which cost almost nothing to run, do not emit any pollutants and unlike vans and cars, help contribute to cleaner air.
Plymouth City Council secured £123,500 through the eCargo Bike Grant Fund scheme, which is funded by the Department for Transport and delivered by Energy Saving Trust.
Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and the Environment said: “There’s some amazing local businesses and organisations who are really passionate about the environment and want to do more. We are really pleased to help them access a greener way to travel and deliver their services. From helping people to eat more healthily and access local producers to looking after bees and bikes, the sheer variety of ideas has been great. I can’t wait to see them on the road.”
Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure said: “I really hope that seeing the eCargo bikes in use will encourage other businesses to give one a go, helping Plymouth become greener as we grow, and we can help with that. Businesses interested in trying out eCargo bikes can try before they buy as the Council, in partnership with Bikespace CIC, is offering two-month, free eCargo bike loans.”
Fiona Graham from No Whey! said the community interest company will use the bike to sell food in the community. She said: “This is amazing news. We’re planning to have a heated compartment installed on the bike so that we can take hot food out. This couldn’t come at a better time for us.”
Mayflower Marina plan to use the bike for groceries for visiting yachtsmen and women. They were lent an eCargo bike two years and it proved very popular with customers. Charles Bush said: “They were able to visit a local supermarket and return with a significant quantity of groceries far in excess of what could have been carried on a regular bicycle - I was also able to attend meetings in the city without needing a car.”
Pollenize CIC will be peddling their ‘beebike’ to carry bee suits and beekeeping equipment to their beehives more easily. Matthew Elmes said: "We’ve got hives across iconic and interesting buildings in the city, and the eCargo bike is a low impact way of getting around - less pollution is better for the bees.”
Tim Anderson, Head of Transport at Energy Saving Trust, said: “The Department for Transport eCargo Bike Grant Fund attracted a significant number of applications.
“The 18 local authorities who have successfully secured funding will purchase a total of 273 ecargo bikes and nine ecargo bike trailers, enabling more businesses to benefit from access. eCargo bikes are an attractive low carbon transport solution which offer important benefits, most impressively fuel cost savings and contributing to improved local air quality. Last mile delivery is an important area for consideration in our journey to reduce transport emissions to net zero by 2050.”
Helping businesses use greener forms of transport supports the Council’s Climate Change Emergency Action Plan and the city’s efforts to achieve net zero carbon by 2030.
For more information about which businesses have been awarded grants and what they plan to use them for visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/cycling