Battery power cargo bikes 'to replace polluting cars and vans'

Three businesses across the borough have signed up to support the roll-out of Richmond's battery powered cargo bike hire scheme.

This scheme is being promoted by the Council as part of a wider initiative to reduce vehicles on the road and so cut congestion and pollution.

At the same time, many families have invested in their own cargo bikes for the school run, shopping and other local trips.

Residents and businesses will have to register for the scheme, which will allow them two hours of free usage per day. Any longer use is charged at £3 per hour.

The three businesses that will serve as hire points for the bikes are:

* La Ciclista on Sheen Lane.

* Birdie Bikes Ltd on Wensleydale Road in Hampton.

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* The Refill Larder on Teddington High Street.

The cargo bikes will be parked outside the businesses for people to hire, pick-up and drop-off.

This scheme is a collaboration between Richmond Council and Peddle My Wheels, who will support the host businesses to monitor and charge the cargo bikes.

The new initiative, which is intended to launch in mid-May, offers a range of battery powered cargo bikes. The Ridgeback MK5 cargo bike will offered in Hampton and Teddington, while the Babboe Trike-E will be available from East Sheen.

The three-wheel Ridgeback is 2.4m long and intended for use as a family run-about as well as transporting cargo. The battery has a range of up to 45km (28 miles).

The Babboe Pro Trike-E has a large box on the front as is best for cargo and deliveries.

View the full bike specifications here.

Barnes Community Association already facilitates a shared e-cargo bike amongst businesses. Emma Robinson, Barnes Town Centre Manager said: "The business that is currently using the bike has found it very useful for their local deliveries which were previously done by car.

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"Many of these deliveries are to elderly people who live very close to the store so using a bike makes much more sense than a car.

"The business has also benefited from the positive profile of using a cargo bike which has been seen in action on the streets and parked outside the shop."

Register your interest in joining the new cargo bike hire scheme here.

Residents that register will be contacted to book a face-to-face introductory session once the scheme launches. It includes a test drive, and a tutorial of the OurBike app, which gives information on how to reserve a bike and everything else you need to know.