BRADFORD Council is extending its promotion of greener travel with the arrival of three e-cargo bikes.

These are electric bicycles with a large storage area to transport things without too much extra pedal power.

The Council has selected three different styles which will be trialled locally, two of which will be used by local businesses and organisations, and the other by the Council.

The bikes are one of the projects funded through the Government’s Active Travel Fund, launched in response to Covid-19 to support more travel by bike or on foot.

Bradford Council, along with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and other partners, has been given £12.5 million of this funding.

The Council’s e-cargo bike has already been used by the Neighbourhood & Customer Services Parks team at Lister Park.

It has a large box on the front which can be used to transport tools around the park, collect leaves and pick up litter.

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The bike is being used instead of a van and it has the advantage of cheaper running costs and being easy to manoeuvre around the park. There is also no noise or air pollution to spoil the environment of the park or disturb visitors.

The other two bikes will be used by local businesses to transport goods and equipment.

A number of organisations have already expressed an interest in using them. They include the University of Bradford, Capital of Cycling and Bread & Roses Café. The scheme is just being set up, but once lockdown is over and businesses get back operating normally, the bikes should be visible in Bradford city centre.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “These electric cargo bikes are a great addition to our commitment to greener transport in the district. As well as reducing carbon emissions they can be more effective and cheaper to run.

"Hopefully, it will encourage businesses and other organisations to consider different ways of transporting goods and making deliveries that are more environmentally friendly, but also improve their productivity.”

Councillor Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said: "We're pleased to be working with our partners at Bradford Council to support more businesses in Bradford to use e-cargo bikes, and to provide local employers with the opportunity to experience the benefits that new technology can bring."

"By helping businesses to take advantage of new solutions for local deliveries and short journeys, we can reduce congestion and improve air quality in our town and city centres, making them nicer places for everyone to enjoy."

Any local businesses looking to borrow one of the e-cargo bikes contact eccu@bradford.gov.uk