Cargo bikes for everything from grocery deliveries to the school run are at the centre of a new green transport strategy.

There are plans to set up 25 cargo bike parking bays across the area and establish a shared electric cargo-bike rental scheme in town centres.

Separately, some are pushing for the adoption of rickshaw style taxi services – as has been suggested on a route from Barnes to Hammersmith over the closed Hammersmith Bridge

The cargo bike parking bays would be placed at primary schools, playgrounds, libraries, high streets and town centres in and near the Borough's town centres and high streets.

A paper produced by Council officials suggests a switch from cars and vans for short journeys to cargo bikes and bicycles is essential to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

They have drawn up an action plan with a stated aim to 'normalise and enable the use of cargo bikes as a convenient and accessible means of transport for individuals, families, and businesses in the borough'.

A Council paper, prepared for the Transport & Air Quality Committee, states: "In less than 9 years the UK's carbon emissions would need to be reduced by 68per cent in order to be on track to achieving net-zero by 2050.

"Transportation merits a sharp focus in the actions to reach this target, given that domestic transportation is the largest contributor to the UK's carbon emissions at 27per cent.

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"Cargo bikes are bikes that are specifically made to carry more than just the rider. They can be electric or non-electric and should be a part in the journey to net-zero by 2050.

"Cargo bikes have 90per cent lower emissions than diesel vans and 33% lower emissions than electric vans. It has been estimated that as much as 51per cent of commercial freight journeys in urban areas could be replaced by cargo bike.

"Cargo bikes also present a low emission solution for the borough's residents, to transport young families, shopping and other household items around the borough."

The action plan includes –

• Targeted promotion of a Try Before You Bike cargo bike scheme.

• Set up of a shared cargo bike scheme for residents and businesses

• Targeted programme of events to connect businesses and families with cargo bike owners and suppliers

• Audit of the council's services to assess which can be delivered by cargo bike.

• Installation of cargo bike and adapted bike parking bays, to improve the visibility, awareness and accessibility.

The company Peddle My Wheels has developed a shared cargo bike scheme which they are trialling with Hammersmith, Southwark and Fulham Council. In North London, Hackney Borough Council have partnered with Beryl to also deliver a shared cargo bike scheme.

Richmond Council is looking to do something similar. There are estimates suggesting it would cost around £30,000 to establish two electric cargo bikes with a secure docking area, parking bays and servicing, with a view to the service becoming self-financing within 24 months.

Looking ahead, the official paper concludes: "The use of cargo bikes to transport children and freight across the borough has been steadily increasing as residents become more aware of their convenience versus other modes of travel and schemes have developed to improve the accessibility and awareness of cargo bikes.

"However, to increase the pace in which families and businesses choose to invest in a cargo bike, the Council needs to invest in infrastructure and provision of services to continue to make cargo bikes a convenient mode of travel for families and businesses and ensure their accessibility."

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Richmond Council would like to hear from anyone already using a cargo bike or curious about cargo bikes to inform the Council's approach.

It is asking people to complete an online survey - completing the survey.