Electric bikes will soon be delivering low carbon shopping in Inverurie in a project organised by Aberdeenshire Council, Inverurie Business Association and Nestrans.
This month Mitchells of Inverurie will start to pilot the use of a purpose-built electric cargo bike to carry out local deliveries.
Owned by Aberdeenshire Council and funded as part of the Government’s Smarter Choices Smarter Places programme, the bike is being used to encourage local business to consider the cost savings and environmental benefits to be gained by carrying out more local deliveries by bike where possible.
Equipped with a small motor and high-capacity battery pack, the bike has a potential payload of 100 kilos. In addition to the cargo bike trial, Mitchells will also be using a new electric bike purchased with support from the Nestrans Sustainable Travel Grant Scheme.
Keith Whyte of Mitchells said: “When we looked at our deliveries and at times the relatively short distances involved, it made us think there had to be a more environmentally friendly way to do this.”
Gordon MP Colin Clark said his cycling skills needed work but pedal power could beat the combustion engine in the right hands.
He said: “This is a great initiative by Aberdeenshire Council.
“The bike takes some getting used to – before I apply to Mitchell’s to be the delivery boy I would need a lot of practice!”