As part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions, Dublin’s local authorities have been rolling out a trial electric cargo bike initiative in conjunction with transport service Bleeper, enabling local businesses to use e-bikes for trips that would otherwise have had to be taken by car or van.
The pilot low carbon option makes e-cargo bikes available at a subsidized rate for a six-month period, as those participating in the trial help provide insights into the benefits and opportunities involved, while also identifying some barriers to their use.
Early adopters of the scheme include Breakaway Coffee in Dun Laoghaire and Dalkey’s Grapevine Wine Shop and Restaurant.
In the city, the first Bleeper Box from Dublin City Council’s Cargobike project was recently delivered to Small Changes, where owner and sustainability advocate Peadar Rice has been busy putting it to work. He has been delivering goods to customers throughout the city, as well as ferrying stock between his two popular organic wholefoods and household refill stores in Drumcondra and Inchicore.
