Council staff in Chester are set to get around using pedal power following the addition of two e-cargo bikes to their fleet.
Cheshire West and Chester Council’s StreetCare service introduced the new bikes so city centre-based staff can go green while keeping Chester looking its best.
The e-cargo bikes mean staff can travel short distances quickly and easily to carry out their day-to-day tasks, without using vans.
This saves fuel and also eases congestion on the city’s roads.
The bikes have a container at the front to transport any equipment that’s needed, and an electric motor to assist with pedalling.
The council’s deputy leader Cllr Karen Shore said: “The e-cargo bikes have many positive benefits, including the reduction in air and noise pollution, as well as being more efficient and a lot cleaner than using vans around the city centre.
“E-cargo bikes are becoming increasingly popular for short journeys, especially in cities and this new way of working will help us reduce our CO2 emissions in a cost-effective manner.
“I’m delighted our teams are now able to use pedal power to cut carbon emissions while they look after the borough.
“So far, the use of the e-cargo bikes has proved to be a popular option for our staff in the city centre. They say they can get around much faster and enjoy using them.”
The move supports the council’s response to the Climate Emergency and its target for the borough to be carbon neutral by 2045.
Photo, L to R: Cllr Karen Shore, with Adam and Tom from the council’s StreetCare team in Chester’s Grosvenor Park