The Holme Valley has an e-cargo bike – a major step to tackle Climate Action, lower pollution and congestion and boost local business. During March and April 22, EPIKS will be asking local people to help shape the future of the e-cargo bike scheme.
Home deliveries are on the rise. Shoppers are buying more from big companies from outside our area. That means an increased number of delivery vehicles creating pollution and congestion. That’s bad for the environment and local businesses.
Thanks to the generous funding from the Holme Valley Parish Council Climate Emergency fund who have provided funding for an e-cargo bike and HoTT Wind Bright Green Community Trust , local volunteers will be able gain training and skills to begin low – emission deliveries in April 2022. This follows many months of research and inspiration from similar schemes in Calderdale and European cities where e-cargo bikes are being used. The scheme will be a way to directly reduce carbon emissions in line with the Holme Valley Parish Council’s Climate Action Plan.
Kim Warren, EPIKs Project Officer said, ‘The e-cargo bike will mark the start of a long-term project to use low-emission vehicles to deliver goods and services throughout the Holme Valley. There are so many local goods and services within easy reach. It does not make sense either environmentally or economically speaking for us to be bringing goods into the valley from further afield – we just loose money to big corporations and cause pollution and congestion on our roads.
This first phase of the project during spring and summer 2022 will be a chance for businesses and the community to start trialling how the bike can be used as an alternative to car and van journeys. We are asking volunteers who would like to ride the e-cargo bike, spread the word about the project and help generate new business for the scheme to come forward during April and be part of this exciting new venture.’
The e-cargo bike is a Ries&Muller Packster 80 Vario with a large 80kg capacity and enough power and sturdiness to tackle the steep lanes and hills of the Holme Valley.
The public will be asked to help choose the name, logos and branding for the project during March 2022.
We are grateful to Cargodale CIC for their support and advice for this project and the use of images of their bikes.
To express an interest, volunteer or offer support for the scheme email
Find out more about how to become a volunteer e-cargo bike rider here.