ELECTRIC cargo bikes could be the future for green deliveries on the Isle of Wight.

The Isle of Wight Council is inviting businesses to attend an event to support the uptake of the bikes, to help companies work towards a greener carbon footprint with zero-emission commercial deliveries.

Businesses and organisations attending the event — at Quay Arts, Newport, on May 15, between 11.30am and 3pm — can find out how the project could help in delivering products and services across the Island by replacing van deliveries with special cargo-carrying electric bikes.

The council's active travel officer, Kayleigh Richter, said: “I would urge businesses to sign up to this event to understand how central government funding can unlock the electric cargo bike opportunity on the Island.

"Aside from the environmental benefits, the cost savings for using a cargo bike or trike to replace traditional vans making those short ‘last-mile’ deliveries can be substantial.

“The Island is well suited to a project of this nature — it has a growing network of traffic-free trails and benefits from shorter journey distances compared to the mainland. I would also like to thank those businesses which contributed to the recent feasibility study.”

This Island initiative links with the launch of a new £2 million fund set up by the Department of Transport to help companies invest in electric cargo bikes to fulfil last-mile deliveries, after the result of its recent consultation into opportunities to deliver goods more sustainably in the UK.

If you are a business who would like to attend the event, book your tickets at tinyurl.com/y5mlejjd

For more information on this project, contact kayleigh on kayleigh.richter@iow.gov.uk

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