New e-bike service is helping small businesses in Hastings to deliver in pollution free way

Hastings Cargo Co deliver on electric cargo bikes which are capable of carrying a 100kg load. Tim Godwin explained: “We are really pleased that four local businesses have signed up to launch with us, and the feedback so far has been really good. “We’ve been motivated to launch this service, using our own time and money, due to our poor air quality in Hastings and St Leonards, and the rise in deliveries and car use in general as the lockdown restrictions have ended. “Air pollution contributes to an estimated 49 deaths in the town every year. That’s more than Covid 19 has caused, from what we know, and it’s happening and worsening every year. “As we see no action from either local authority to promote cleaner air, and less vehicle use, we wanted to do something. There are 1,000s of car and van trips in Hastings every day. “Most of them are under 6km, and many of them could be replaced with bicycles or e-cargo bikes. “This would have a significant beneficial effect on air quality and carbon emissions. “The e-cargo bikes we have are capable of carrying up to 100kg of load, and the electric assist motors make getting up the local hills easy. The energy use of the bikes compared to cars and vans is minimal. We believe they are the best solution for last mile deliveries in towns and cities. The team behind the project have helped run Bike Lab Hastings for the last eight years, a community bicycle workshop which helps people build and maintain bicycles. As public access workshops have been impossible to run over the last months, we have put our energy into other projects to help our town have a cleaner and more pleasant environment. Hastings Cargo Co do same day deliveries from £3 or can offer hourly rates. Local companies already using the service for their deliveries include Trinity Wholefoods, The Beacon, Stooge Coffee and Homeground Kitchen For more information visit www.hastingscargo.co or take a look at their Facebook page. See also: Electric-blue and alien looking jellyfish washes up min Hastings