eCargo bike scheme to launch in Manchester early February

As part of Manchester’s commitment to creating a greener city, a fleet of eCargo bikes will be available to hire in the coming weeks.

In total 26 bikes will be rolled out and a further six trailers will also be made available, allowing businesses, community groups and residents a more environmentally-friendly mode of transporting goods.

The bikes, which have an electric assist motor and can travel at speeds of up to 15mph, can carry weights of 250kg and will be distributed to partners over the next month, with the central hire depot set to open on Chapel Street at the beginning of February.

For public use, prices start at £12 per day for up to 14 days of usage. Anyone hiring will have to undergo checks to ensure riders have a satisfactory level of cycling proficiency. Businesses will be able to loan the bikes for longer periods of time.

While the Chapel Street depot will serve as the initial hire point, plans to introduce local hubs are also in the works.

Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “In Manchester we really want to show that there are alternatives to using cars and other polluting means of transport. We know that a complete societal shift is required in terms of how we view transport, and as a Council we want to play our part in bringing about that change.

“By demonstrating that affordable and effective alternatives are available to the public we are breaking down barriers that may otherwise prevent someone making a positive change.”

The scheme is being led by Manchester Bikes. For more information on how to hire a bike or trailer, visit their website.

The eCargo bikes follow on from the recently-launched fleet of ‘Burnham Bikes‘, which arrived in the city late last year.

Image credit: Manchester Bikes