Southwark Council has launched a new e-cargo bike scheme, as it looks to reduce reliance on larger vehicles.
The four e-cargo bikes are available to hire, by businesses, community groups or individuals.
The scheme is run by Peddle My Wheels on behalf of the council. It aims to provide businesses with a sustainable way of transporting goods across the borough.
The bikes can be hired by the minute.
Cllr James McAsh, the council’s cabinet member for climate emergency, streets and clean air, visited café and bakery Louie Louie on Walworth Road, which has just started using the new e-cargo bikes.
Cllr McAsh said: “Cargo bikes are a great way of transporting goods across the borough – fast, cheap and good for our environment.
“It’s great to see a local business really embrace sustainable ways of transporting goods across the borough.”
The bikes are being introduced as part of the borough’s Streets for People initiative.
Cllr McAsh added: “As part of our ambitious Streets for People strategy, we’re supporting local businesses to switch to cargo bikes to help improve the air we breathe, reduce congestion and reliance on larger vehicles.”
Chris Greenwood, who runs four Louie Louie cafes around Southwark, says he uses e-cargo bikes to deliver baked goods between his main kitchen and bakery in Walworth and the other sites.
Mr Greenwood said: “It makes sense to me because everything is within cycling distance of our central kitchen and bakery.
“When we first looked at it, the cost of a cargo bike was high and we didn’t have secure storage, so we were worried about it being stolen. So instead we now hire cargo bikes when we need them.”
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