Three Highland Council teams will be taking part in a Sustrans-funded E-Cargo bike pilot scheme aimed at reducing fleet emissions supporting the local authority’s wider Net Zero ambition.
The pilot will involve a trial of three E-Cargo bikes which will be used for business by Inverness Amenities team, Inverness roads team and the Fort William Child Health team.
The project aims to reduce fleet emissions by offsetting fleet vehicle travel with low-emission E-cargo bike travel, reduce car miles, offer fuel savings and provide health and wellbeing benefits for Council employees.
The pilot will include two E-cargo trial sessions and user trainings, bike equipment (e.g. helmets, bike lock), a secure storage shed, ongoing support and maintenance as required.
Members at the Climate Change Committee noted the progress of the pilot and heard about the next steps which have been identified to progress the project.
Those next steps include the arranging of public liability insurance for all users, the development of a cycling policy, the identification of training and trial days.
The next steps also include providing information to staff about the pilot and how to arrange come and try sessions.
Two training days have been provisionally arranged for Fort William (25 April 2023) and Inverness (26 April 2023) between 10am and 12pm.
Chair of the Climate Change Committee, Cllr Karl Rosie said:
“This is a very exciting pilot and one which supports our wider Net Zero agenda.
“It also promotes low-carbon, active travel within our communities and the wider region and is warmly welcomed.”
