Cargo bike grant boosts low emission deliveries in Bath

Ten new electric cargo bicycles are set to help organisations make low emission journeys around Bath thanks to a £40,000 grant won by Bath & North East Somerset Council.

The grant has been secured from the Energy Savings Trust to help fund a range of electrically assisted cargo bikes to be used by businesses for local ‘last mile’ deliveries, by the council’s parks team for maintenance rounds and by other local organisations including Bath BID. 

The cargo bikes will help companies get around the hilly network of Bath more easily and alongside the council’s fleet of loan bikes being used by key workers during the coronavirus pandemic, will make e-bikes a frequent sight around Bath.

Councillor Joanna Wright, joint cabinet member for Transport Services, said: “Any reduction we can make in carbon emissions will help improve air quality in our city. It’s great news that we have been awarded this grant funding as it will allow a range of local organisations to make quick, economical deliveries around Bath without creating noise or air pollution and contributing to our ambition of a sustainable transport future.”

Tim Anderson, Head of Transport at Energy Saving Trust, said: “The Department for Transport eCargo Bike Grant Fund attracted a significant number of applications. The 18 local authorities who have successfully secured funding will purchase a total of 273 ecargo bikes and nine ecargo bike trailers, enabling more businesses to benefit from access. eCargo bikes are an attractive low carbon transport solution which offer important benefits, most impressively fuel cost savings and contributing to improved local air quality. Last mile delivery is an important area for consideration in our journey to reduce transport emissions to net zero by 2050.”

The eCargo Bike Grant Fund scheme is funded by the Department for Transport and delivered by Energy Saving Trust. More information can be found at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/transport/ecargo-bike-grant-fund

Alternative grants and support are still available for organisations in B&NES looking to implement sustainable transport options into their operations. For more information go to www.travelwest.info/businesses/bnes