Stratford-upon-Avon District Council

Stratford-upon-Avon, is a large rural district that hosts around 6 million visitors every year, as a popular tourist destination. The council launched the eCargo bike scheme, aiming to raise awareness amongst tourism and retail businesses about the benefits of ecargo bikes, to encourage their use for last-mile deliveries.  

The project targets retail and tourism businesses in Stratford-upon-Avon town and specific large employers in the district to demonstrate that ecargo bikes offer a more sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient alternative.  

Stratford-upon-Avon District Council applied for an ecargo bike grant fund from the Department for Transport. Applying was simple and straightforward, and Energy Saving Trust provided guidance throughout the process. The ecargo team was quick to respond to any questions, making the application process hassle-free. 

Following a successful grant application, Stratford-upon-Avon District Council set up a trial scheme. The funding secured 10 ecargo bikes which were used to support local businesses.  

The project is still in its early stages and two of the bikes are currently in use. A self-employed person is using one of the bikes, while Pashley Cycles, a well-known local company, is using the other bike.  
 

Graham Folkes-Skinner, sustainable transport project officer for Stratford-upon-Avon District Council, said: “The money has provided us the opportunity to offer the local business community a real opportunity to try a sustainable form of transport.’’  

He added: “Pashley Cycles is a local business that was keen to work with the council on this scheme. Working with Pashley Cycles on this scheme provided the opportunity to increase the global brand of Stratford, especially if international visitors see locally made British engineered bikes on the streets of Stratford.”  

A future possibility for the scheme is to enhance the offering, to include public hire schemes and a pool of bikes that employers and local businesses can use.