Ten new e-cargo bikes are operating on the streets of Bath after the council secured a £40,000 grant. Four will be loaned out to local businesses free of charge should they wish to trial e-cargo bike deliveries before investing themselves.
The e-Cargo Bike Grant Fund scheme is funded by the Department for Transport and delivered by the Energy Saving Trust. £2m was allocated earlier this year to 18 local authorities.
“These bikes will replace delivery vans circulating the city centre and enable local organisations to make quick, economical deliveries around Bath,” said Joanna Wright, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s joint cabinet member for Transport Services.
“The bikes don’t produce noise or air pollution, making the city centre a more pleasant environment and contributing to our sustainable transport vision for our area.”
Those switching from vans to e-cargo bikes include the Grapes pub, Bath BID, 6 City View and the council’s parks team.
Zero-emissions last mile delivery service Three Bags Full has also expanded its existing fleet, as has the WeGo courier service.
The Bath BID trike was ordered from Bath-based Cycles Maximus and includes bespoke fittings.
“The rangers’ pick-up trike has space for cleaning equipment and water, and is perfect for responsive cleansing work which the BID does on behalf of businesses in the city centre,” commented Bath BID CEO Allison Herbert.
The various loan bikes are available for businesses and charities within Bath & North East Somerset. Interested parties can register here if they’d like to borrow one.
Tim Anderson, head of transport at Energy Saving Trust, said: “E-cargo bikes are an attractive low carbon transport solution that are becoming more widely adopted. They offer significant benefits, most impressively fuel cost savings and contributing to improved local air quality which are particularly attractive as we work towards a green recovery following the Covid-19 outbreak.
“With more deliveries to our homes than ever, last mile delivery is an important area for consideration in our journey to reduce transport emissions to net zero by 2050. We expect the eCargo Bike Grant Fund to support wider and longer term uptake of these light vehicles.”
Cycling Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris, added: “E-cargo bikes are great for not only business but also the environment, helping to lower costs and emissions.
“This funding will see groceries and other shopping delivered to people’s doors by bike instead of vans, helping ensure that as transport increases and we recover from Covid-19, it’ll be cleaner and greener than ever before.”
