Pashley, an English bike manufacturer operating since 1926, has entered full production of its electric cargo tricycle, the ALECS (the Articulated Lightweight Electric Cargo Solution).
The e-bike have been designed to carry 110kg at speeds of up to 25km/h. They feature a patented tilting front section, which the company says offers the riding experience of bicycle with the stability of a tricycle.
According to Pashely, the ALECS is just 80cm wide, meaning it can operate in bike lanes and along faster routes and doesn’t require a licence or road tax to ride.
Having reportedly completed safety, durability and rider ergonomics testing, production of the ALECS is now underway with a pilot fleet being made available for businesses to trial it in their own delivery operations.
In addition to this, by being the sole manufacturer, Pashley can discuss and respond to its customer’s individual requirements of colour, box size and branding as required, the company has said in a statement.
Four years of development in Pashley’s Stratford-upon-Avon factory reportedly went into the bike, where its iconic traditional bicycles and tricycles are hand-built by a small team.
“The response so far has been excellent,” said Adrian Williams, managing director of Pashley. “From small businesses needing a delivery solution or a better way to get equipment to their customers, to large organisations like Royal Mail, who have been involved in our development programme for the ALECS.
“Pashley identified a real need to answer the rapidly growing demand from cargo delivery companies and businesses that are now servicing urban areas where vans and trucks are not allowed. There are wide ranging uses and applications for our ALECS vehicle, and we have over 90 years’ experience of working with customers in this sector.
“It’s been a huge team effort and we’re immensely proud of the solution that our innovative electric cargo trike provides – and that it comes from the longest established bicycle maker in England.”
Prior to its venture into the last-mile industry, Pashley has manufactured cargo and carrier products for use by a range of delivery businesses, including Royal Mail’s red postal bikes.
The company has likewise built conventional bikes and e-bikes for two of the UK’s major shared bike fleets – the Santander scheme in London and West Midlands Cycle Hire, which operates in and around Birmingham.
