Organisations are being invited to bid for grants of up to £30,000 to support the introduction of electric cargo bikes on the Isle of Wight.
Following the completion of a feasibility study by Island based People Powered CIC and a market engagement event aimed at driving Island companies towards a greener carbon footprint, the council is keen to engage with organisations to share information on the opportunities for zero emission commercial deliveries.
The initiative is funded by Isle of Wight Council as part of its Sustainable Transport Access Fund from the government – a programme of sustainable transport interventions being delivered through to April 2020.
“We are inviting organisations to come forward for the chance of competitively winning a grant to support the introduction of electric cargo bikes on the Island,” said Councillor Ian Ward, Cabinet member for Infrastructure and Transport.
“Aside from the environmental benefits, the cost savings for using an electric cargo bike or trike to replace other modes making short ‘last mile’ deliveries can be substantial. I would encourage interested organisations to apply.”
This exciting project is aimed at delivering products and services across the Island using electric-cargo bikes, replacing van delivery for smaller goods, and contributing to reduced congestion and harmful emissions.
A wide variety of project proposals are welcomed, ranging from a single cargo bike operation to support an existing business or service, or a new business or service operating with multiple cargo bikes.
The project links with the launch of a separate £2million fund set up by the Department for Transport to help organisations 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.
The grant funding prospectus, background feasibility studies and an application form can be downloaded at:
https://www.iow.gov.uk/Council/transparency/Our-Suppliers/Grant-Funding-Programmes/Prospectuses
Applications for this funding must be received by 4pm on 31 July 2019.
For more information on this project, please contact the council’s Active Travel Officer, Kayleigh Richter via email: kayleigh.richter@iow.gov.uk ; or by telephone: 01983 821000 Ext 8743.
