IW Council electric cargo bikes scheme

Electric cargo bikes will be used for internal mail runs in a two-month pilot scheme by the Isle of Wight Council.

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.

Councillor Phil Jordan, cabinet lead for infrastructure and transport, said: “We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and 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 and this pilot scheme 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.”

People Powered CIC director, Matthew Whittaker, said: “We are delighted to be working with the council to look at ways in which the CO2 emissions from their fleet can be reduced further, in a cost effective manner.”

More information about e-cargo bikes is on People Powered CIC’s people-powered.uk/cargo.