Free delivery by electric cargo bike is going to be available for businesses in the Cowes and Newport area in March, April and May.
The three-month pilot project aims to showcase the capabilities of electric cargo bikes to meet some of the delivery needs of local businesses and organisations.
It is being run by People Powered Community Interest Company (PPCIC) in partnership with Wight Community Energy (WCE) with funding from Power to Change and the Rural Community Energy Fund.
Community-owned renewable energy
This is one of a number of new innovative projects to deliver community-owned renewable energy and contribute to delivering the changes needed to ensure that the Island’s net zero target by 2040 is met.
Wide range of benefits
E-cargo bike deliveries offer wide benefits: replacing diesel or petrol powered journeys with e-cargo bike deliveries helps create quieter, safer streets as well as improving air quality, reducing CO2 emissions, and cutting down on traffic congestion in our town centres.
The delivery service will start on 1st of March and be available for local businesses who want to make deliveries in the West Cowes and Newport area. In addition to delivering on behalf of businesses based in the area, “last mile” deliveries from elsewhere on the Isle of Wight will be received at a micro-hub in Cowes and then distributed by e-cargo bike.
Whittaker: Try out for free
Matthew Whittaker, director of PPCIC said,
“We’re making deliveries free of charge for the period of the trial to make it as risk-free as possible for a wide range of businesses and organisations to try out. We hope there will be sufficient interest to make the service permanent once the trial is over.
“Our three e-cargo bikes are able to carry anything from a bunch of flowers to a washing machine so we have the versatility to support a broad range of needs for local businesses”
Blyth: A key way for society to reach net zero
Megan Blyth, project officer at the Centre for Sustainable Energy who are administering the grant on behalf of Power to Change said,
“E-cargo bikes are a great way of encouraging the take-up of low carbon active travel methods – a key way for society to reach net zero.
“We’re really excited that the Power to Change grant is supporting this innovative approach of working with local businesses to make this happen on the Isle of Wight.”
Demonstration sessions
In support of the delivery part of the project, there will be a series of demonstration sessions across the Island aimed at allowing local businesses and organisations to try out e-cargo bikes and generally find out more about them.
Dates and locations will be posted on the project Website and advertised via social media (@peoplepowerediw).
News shared by Matthew on behalf of People Powered CIC. Ed
