How the business uses eCargo bikes
Ros, a ceramic artist and business owner, has been using a Reise & Muller Packster 70 for over a year now. She took hold of her eCargo bike in mid-September last year and has since covered over well over 2600km.
Ros uses her eCargo bike for deliveries of ceramic wares to markets around town and to customers and clients. She also uses it for transporting tools, kit and clay to workshops too. Ros also supplies a market in Lewes and finds that the ecargo bike is more than capable on the rough cycle path by the A27.
Before acquiring the eCargo bike, Ros use to be dependent on taxi’s, her partner and family members to help with transportation of wares and equipment for her ceramic business. However, since receiving the eCargo bike in September 2023 she is much more independent and has a sense of pride using it. Previously, a return trip to town for deliveries using an Uber taxi, was £25. As she no longer uses taxi’s she’s saving time and money and is not reliant on other people.
Over time Ros has gained experience using the eCargo bike and is now more organised and thinks more carefully about what she needs to take with her on trips. At first she used to take too much stuff, but now with experience she knows exactly what to take, how to pack it and knows the limits of the eCargo bike. Ros took her time choosing the eCargo bike and is very happy with the choice she made.
She bought a child seat separately for the eCargo bike and transports her child to nursery. Instead of walking to nursery, which use to take 25 minutes, it takes her 5 minutes to travel there. Because of this, she’s built more time into her day. Even the family dog loves riding in the cargo bike too.
Action
Ros was supported and advised by the eCargo Bike Accelerator project and received an ecargo bike which totally suits her needs. The eCargo bike can transport up to 200 kg including the rider.
I love using my eCargo bike. My daughter loves riding in it and so does our dog. I save time in the morning on the nursery run and think everyone should have one.
Outcome
Due to Brighton & Hove City Council’s eCargo bike project, Ros saves on time and money and has a sense of freedom and independence.
“I don’t just use the ecargo bike for work purposes. I also use it for errands and chores around town and for weekly shopping trips too. Using the ecargo bike has completely changed my life.”
Using eCargo bikes:
- saves on time
- parking is free and easy
- is more efficient and organised
- over 1.1 tonnes of CO2e saved to date
Switching to cargo bikes reduces the environmental and social impact of deliveries and services in our city. This contributes towards Brighton & Hove City Council’s Carbon Neutral 2030 goal.