Bath businesses are being encouraged to try out electric cargo bikes for local deliveries as part of a free scheme to reduce the number of journeys made by fossil-fuelled vehicles in the city.
The e-cargo Bike scheme, which is run and funded by Bath & North East Somerset Council, offers businesses, including retailers, as well as voluntary organisations, a no-cost two-week trial with Bath e-cargo bike operators Three Bags Full and WEGO Couriers.
The scheme aims to boost the use of the low-impact, zero emission bikes for delivering goods in Bath city centre to reduce noise, congestion and air pollution.
Council deputy leader and cabinet member for climate and sustainable travel, Cllr Sarah Warren, pictured, said the scheme was a good opportunity for businesses to try out a green delivery method for free.
“E-cargo bikes have zero tailpipe and extremely low carbon emissions, so they don’t incur CAZ [Clean Air Zone] charges or contribute to air pollution.
“Using e-cargo bikes instead of cars and vans is a way of providing fast, affordable deliveries in Bath, including areas where access for vehicles is restricted. It’s also a way to tackle the climate emergency and helps towards our aim of carbon neutrality by 2030.”
Businesses will be offered a free fortnight-long trial with either operator and a feasibility review to check that using e-cargo is sustainable over the long term for the business. This will be followed by further subsidies for an agreed period of up to six months should the trial be successful.
One business to recently complete a trial with an e-cargo bike courier under the scheme is Pulteney Pharmacy.
Owner Ali Hashemian said: “Reducing air pollution is important to us – poor air quality is a big factor in everyone’s health, contributing to chronic heart and lung conditions.
“Not only are we reducing traffic and congestion by using e-cargo bike couriers, but we’re improving the health and lives of our patients, employees, and Bath residents.
“We are very happy with the service. Our advisor from the council Harry Jones ensured our needs were met and the e-cargo bike deliveries have really impressed us and our customers. We are now eager to find a way to make e-cargo bike deliveries a sustainable part of our business.”
The council secured £500,000 of government funding to launch the scheme. The trial will run until the end of August using a proportion of the secured funds and will be extended if it proves successful.
Any business, organisation, community or voluntary group interested in taking part can register their interest at www.bathnes.gov.uk/ecargobath
The council will share the findings of the trial with the West of England Combined Authority to help shape the work its region-wide Urban Freight Transport project, which may include e-cargo loan bikes and consolidated goods delivery for local retailers and residents across.
Pictured, from left: Pulteney Pharmacy dispenser Ruth Paget and owner Ali Hashemian with WEGO Bath courier site supervisor Philip Thompson and B&NES Bath & North East Somerset Council senior travel & transport officer Harry Jones
