Cambridgeshire Amongst First Areas To Trial e-Cargo Bikes

County Council and City Council will be trying out the eCargo Bikes to help cut pollution.

It comes as the Local Government Association calls on couriers to adopt the environmentally friendly bikes, which offer a cost-effective and zero-carbon transport option, for “last mile” deliveries from local hubs to homes.

New figures show that light commercial vehicle traffic, which includes online shopping delivery vans, is at pre-pandemic levels, and with more people doing their shopping online as a result of COVID-19 - a figure which is only likely to increase according to the LGA.

Cambridgeshire County Council in a joint project with Cambridge City Council plans to deploy 30 e-cargo bikes covering first-mile deliveries, a residential sharing scheme, a “try before you buy” leasing scheme and pool e-cargo bikes with a combined aim of reducing travel emissions and encouraging active and sustainable transport options. The bikes are being funded from a £2m eCargo Bike Grant Fund.

Cllr David Renard, LGA transport spokesperson, said: “Courier firms have played a vital role during the coronavirus crisis in continuing to provide a delivery service while people have been unable to get out and about as they would in normal times.

“Online shopping will continue to grow, and so will our reliance on courier services. “

This has unfortunately seen the consequence of large delivery vans clogging up street space, increasing congestion and in some cases causing a rise in air pollution. 

“Swapping large vans for cargo bikes is one way in which we can make a really positive difference to our environment and help achieve the country’s carbon reduction targets.”