New Isle of Wight cargo bike delivery business seeking to expand

Currently based in Cowes, Keert, listed in the Dictionary of Isle of Wight Dialect as meaning 'to cart', aims to be the home of cargo bikes and ultra-low emissions delivery on the Island.

After three months operating under grant funding, Keert was first announced in July by People Powered CIC, and the business is now ramping up its services to deliver things from A to B for Islanders.

Under the leadership of Simon Chambers, Matthew Whittaker and Dan Stirrup, Keert is gearing up for a busy Christmas period ahead of Royal Mail strikes across November.

Director Simon Chambers at the Keert launch event in Newport (Image: Newsquest)

Keert has hit the ground running, working with Island businesses such as Richmonds Bakery, French Franks, ComiCoffee and Edison's Electrical, distributing for the council and delivering parcels for Isle of Wight Distribution.

The business primarily operates around Cowes, East Cowes and Newport but is not limited to these areas and plans to become Island-wide in the future.

With a depot in Cowes Industrial Park, the team at Keert aim to open more hubs across the Island, including in Ryde, Newport, Yarmouth and the Bay area.

Discussions are ongoing with the owners of the former Topshop building at St James’ Square in Newport for the use of the back courtyard of the site, which opens via a cobbled pathway onto St Thomas’ Square, between Steampunk and Master of Disguise.

Entrance to former Topshop courtyard in St Thomas' Square (Image: Newsquest)

Using the cargo bikes is easier than you might think, but with safety being paramount, a rider training process is in place for employees.

It is said to be strange adjusting to the increased size of the bike and not being able to see the front wheels while using the larger vehicles.

Keert has different-sized bikes which are used accordingly to the size of the job, with five different bikes in service and plans for more soon.

The cargo bikes can carry three times their weight without much stress.

Keert cargo bike (Image: Keert)

Joining directors Simon, Matt and Dan are riders, Rufus and Harry, with more employment opportunities available, offering a living wage.

Find out more about Keert visit its Facebook page HERE.