Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Bradford Council are to buy more e-cargo bikes with the help of the Department for Transport and Energy Saving Trust’s eCargo Bike Grant Fund.
The councils have been awarded £160,000 and will use the funding for 32 new e-cargo bikes, enabling sustainable deliveries in West Yorkshire.
The e-cargo bikes will be used by Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority for their bike loan schemes, showing businesses in the region how they could cut their costs. According to research, e-cargo bikes can deliver financial savings of up to 90% compared to the cost of a running an equivalent commercial vehicle.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate change, transport and sustainable development, said: “This offer to businesses to trial e-cargo bikes for local delivery solutions could be revolutionary.
“The additional 32 e-cargo bikes funded by the grant scheme will allow more businesses in West Yorkshire to ‘try-before-you-buy’.”
In Bradford, the bikes have been allocated to organisations, while some will be available for loans via local organisations. The council will also use some of the e-cargo bikes within its own fleet. For example, its outdoor education centres plan to use an e-cargo bike instead of a van to move equipment around for outdoor education sessions.
Councillor Alex Ross Shaw, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport, said: “With our plans to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2038, we must explore and adapt to effective alternative modes of transport. E-cargo bikes are proof that deliveries can be carried out without the use of a van and are so much cheaper to run. So, we are delighted to have received this funding, as it will enable us to further develop the role of e-cargo bikes for local business.”
