Dublin pharmacist says he’s cycled 5,000km using cargo bike for business pilot scheme

Dublin City Council’s cargo bike for businesses and community group scheme has been so successful that an extension and expansion of the project has been agreed, the council has said.

The bikes are pedal-assist electric cargo bicycles and are available to businesses at a discounted rate of €100 per month. Over 20 businesses have been involved in the scheme so-far and 10 more are expected to join them.

Ranelagh Meals on Wheels, pictured above, is one of those taking part of the trial project, of which the bicycles are provided by bicycle share company Bleeper.

Last week, one of the more high-profile business owners in the pilot, Paddy Byrne Life Pharmacy, said: “So this day last year I took delivery of my ecargo from Bleeper and Dublin City Coumcil. Since then I’ve travelled 5,000km which is Dublin to Rome & back plus some or Dublin to Iraq! Equivalent of 4x 40’ containers moved, 750 lites of diesel saved, 2025 kg of Co2.

The council said the council has been so successful that it’s being expanded.

“Dublin City Council and bike sharing operator Bleeper are progressing well on the e-cargobike for business pilot project. The project gives businesses access to e-cargobikes at a discounted rate, enabling them to replace trips which would otherwise have been taken by car or by van. The project has been so successful that an extension of the project has been agreed,” said the council’s Monthly Management Report.

The bikes can carry 60kg of cargo and the council said that the battery can last for up to 160km and can be fully charged in 6 hours.

The council added: “The timeframe has been increased to allow for a further 10 opportunities to be provided to qualifying businesses. To date over 20 e-cargo bikes have been delivered to successful participants, and 34 businesses have made applications.”