Electric cargo bikes will be used in a two-month pilot scheme by the Isle of Wight Council for its internal mail runs.
The council has approached People Powered Community Interest Company (CIC) to start the pilot project this month (April) and will see the company delivering internal mail runs between council sites across the Island.
Jordan: Committed to reducing our carbon footprint
Cllr Phil Jordan, Cabinet lead for infrastructure and transport, said,
“We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and, as we could see the benefit of using e-cargo bikes for the shorter, internal mail runs within the council, we have decided to implement a trial to see how beneficial this could be in delivering not only our mail but our net carbon aims.
“E-cargo bikes are becoming increasingly popular for ‘last mile’ deliveries, especially in cities, and this pilot will allow us to evaluate the opportunities these offer the council by replacing the post room fuel driven vehicles and, in turn, reducing harmful emissions.”
Whittaker: Delighted to be working with the council
People Powered CIC director, Matthew Whittaker, said,
“People Powered CIC are delighted to be working with Isle of Wight Council to look at ways in which the CO₂ emissions from their fleet can be reduced further, in a cost effective manner.
“This is a key part of the Electric Cargo Bike Delivery Demonstration we’re delivering with Wight Community Energy with funding from Power to Change and the Rural Community Energy Fund.”
The move follows a successful two-month pilot project last summer which saw electric cargo bikes delivering goods on behalf of Cowes businesses and was also run by People Powered CIC, with funding from the council’s Sustainable Transport Access Fund from the Department of Transport.
Mission Zero
The council declared a Climate Emergency in July 2019 and approved the ‘Mission Zero’ Climate and Environment Strategy 2021-2040 in September 2021.
The strategy commits the authority to making sure all strategic decisions, planning approach decisions and budget setting across all areas of council work are considered in line with its ambitious targets.
More information about e-cargo bikes is on People Powered CIC’s Website.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
