Businesses across the borough are being encouraged to apply for funding for eCargo bikes.

With a government grant making £400,000 available for organisations that want to reduce traffic and air pollution ( via the Energy Saving Trust scheme ), these businesses can save up to 40 per cent on the price of the eCargo bike - up to the value of £2,500 for two-wheel models and £4,500 for three-wheel models.

These bikes, which are designed to be able to deliver and carry goods well beyond the means of a usual bike, are seen as an alternative to using cars or vans which have a negative impact on the environment.

Wandsworth Council has a partnership with Peddle My Wheels to enable businesses and residents in the borough to hire a bike, e-bike, cargo bike, e-cargo bike or trailer.

So far a number of organisations in the borough have received cargo bikes via Peddle My Wheel's scheme and the Energy Saving Trust scheme, and there is another shared eCargo bike scheme currently in the works.

You can find out more about these by visiting the council's website.

Councillor Kim Caddy says that helping businesses use eCargo bikes is part of its strategy to become carbon-neutral by 2030.

She said: "We know that businesses and local organisations that have eCargo bikes absolutely love them. They're a great way to make deliveries and get out and about, and they help us meet out climate change pledge by reducing traffic and air pollution.

"We welcome this additional Government funding and would urge people to think about whether an eCargo bike could work for them."

The council provided two cargo bikes to Waste Not Want Not Battersea earlier this year through a previous round of the Energy Saving Trust Scheme. Founder Hadas Hagos said: "Our bikes have already done more than 500 miles. Previously we used a van to transport food from New Covent Garden Market to our recipients, but the van isn't ULEZ compliant and not all of our volunteers have a driving licence.

"The two cargo bikes have proved more accessible to volunteers and is used regularly to collect fruit and vegetables which would have otherwise gone to waste, to distribute in the Battersea community."

You can apply by visiting the Enegry Saving Trust website. You must apply by December 14. A decision will be made within 15 days of the application.

Any businesses who would like to discuss the application, find out about the shared cargo bike scheme, or be put in touch with existing cargo bike business owners in the borough to find out about their experiences, can email [email protected].

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