BUSINESSES across Colchester are being encouraged to reduce their carbon footprint by using electric bikes.

A fleet of 25 electric cargo bikes and five electric trailers are being used across the borough. As part of Colchester Council’s pledge to be carbon neutral by 2030 it is offering a number of the bikes and trailers for trial.

Nine organisations and four council teams are already using the electric powered vehicles as part of their daily work.

Among them are the Colchester Bike Kitchen and Repair Reuse Recycle.

The three-year trial of the bikes has been funded by a successful bid for £136,912 from the Energy Savings Trust.

The zero-emissions bikes need less kerb space to make deliveries and collections and offer quicker access around streets, as they can avoid the traffic by using bus lanes, cycle paths and other routes unavailable to cars and vans.

However, to use the bikes people must be trained to Bikeability Level 3, a cycle training programme which provides practical skills and understanding of how to cycle on today’s roads.

Martin Goss, the council’s environment boss, said: “I’m delighted we have been able to work with our project champions to deploy this brand new fleet of eco-friendly bikes.

“I would encourage businesses and other organisations that are looking to reduce their carbon emissions to join this innovative scheme.

“Sustainable methods of transport, such as eCargo bikes, are a great way for the council, local businesses and other organisations to reduce our collective carbon footprint, as their effect is immediate.”

“Even before the pandemic highlighted the crucial role transport plays in our everyday lives, we were committed to taking action to meet our ambitious 2030 net carbon zero target by supporting sustainable journeys.

“If the climate emergency wasn’t reason enough to look at greener transport systems, the coronavirus crisis has forced us to think about alternative ways to travel and for businesses to move goods around.”

To find out more about trialling an eCargo bike email ecargobikelibrary@colchester.gov.uk.