Milton Keynes Council is encouraging businesses to express their interest in a new e-cargo bike rental scheme and help achieve the city’s carbon reduction ambitions.
Earlier this year, the council successfully secured funding from the Energy Saving Trust to purchase 21 e-cargo bikes, 13 of which will be available to lease to local businesses. Companies are currently being sought to manage the lease hire scheme, including servicing and maintenance of the fleet.
Milton Keynes Council will use the remaining bikes to help deliver everyday services, and donate two e-cargo bikes to The Hubbub for its Food Connect project, which delivers food to four community fridges in Milton Keynes.
Cllr Lauren Townsend, cabinet member for sustainability at Milton Keynes Council, said: “We’re committed to new and innovative ways to contribute towards our ambition of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. E-cargo bikes are such a fantastic way to help us achieve this, meaning council colleagues, social enterprises and local businesses are all able to play a part in reducing our impact on the environment.”
Fully Charged Silverstone has been awarded the contract to provide the council’s 21 e-cargo bikes, which comprises 16 Riese & Muller, two Urban Arrows and three Tern e-cargo bikes.
Ben Jaconelli, CEO of Fully Charged, said: “The new age of transport is here. E-cargo bikes are a truly viable alternative to cars and delivery vans in cities. The growth of enthusiasm for e-bikes in the last couple of years has been phenomenal: once people try them, they’re hooked.”
