Bike for Good’s innovative eCargo bike free loan scheme, offers you the opportunity to try one of these useful bikes for two weeks. They allow users to effortlessly transport bulky items or ferry your little ones across the city.

Words by Samar Jamal | Photo by Bike for Good

“I could see how they look a bit intimidating if you've never used one before and they look a bit strange compared to a normal bike,” says Karen O’Hare who is taking part in Bike for Good’s eCargo bike free loan programme, which offers free two-week rentals. Her car had “died” and rather than replace it she decided to cycle.

“I'd never used an eCargo bike before, but when I started using one, I found the boost button is fantastic and actually, I found cycling an eCargo bike was easier than a normal bike. It allows me to collect items, go to the shops and buy stuff,” she said.

An eCargo bike is an electric bike with a large storage space on either the front or the back, designed for carrying cargo – whether that’s children, shopping or delivery goods. They provide the same health benefits and cost efficiency of a regular e-bike but with the added versatility of seamlessly hauling items around the city.

Additionally, they also help to reduce emissions and tackle climate change. Motorised forms of road transport are responsible for 66 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland. Glasgow City Council’s 2022 Transport Strategy aims to improve this through better environmentally friendly transport.

In line with this vision, there is a push for ‘road space being reallocated to walking, wheeling and public transport’ by the public. Engagement with the public, carried out as part of the City Centre Transformation Plan found that 81 percent of people were supportive of this. And Bike for Good’s free loan scheme encourages this shift.

Whilst Karen mainly uses her bike to transport groceries, the loan scheme includes a variety of eCargo bikes, each with different capabilities. Many small businesses have found them invaluable as a way to deliver goods in a climate friendly way, or even to move offices without the need for a car or van.

Research by the University of Westminster shows that deliveries on an eCargo bike yield a staggering 60 percent increase in speed compared to traditional vans, allowing businesses more efficiency.

Currently, the South City Way connects cyclists from the Southside to the city centre and the expansion of the routes throughout Govanhill, including Langside and Cathcart Road, and nearby areas means that cycling in Glasgow will get even easier.

While the bikes look large, Karen says they are easier to ride than you’d expect. And for many parents, eCargo bikes also offer a cost-effective alternative for transporting children without the hassle of a second car. They allow the convenience of dropping off young ones at school or nursery without the fuss of car seats, finding parking or refuelling.

They have additional social benefits too, as Karen explains: “You're a part of the environment, and you're a part of the city. When I moved to Glasgow, cycling around the city was the best way to get to know it. If I'm cycling, I can say hi to people, I can wave at them. Like the other day, I stopped and chatted to a friend for half an hour in the street because I cycled past him and we waved to each other.”

For users seeking additional support, Bike for Good also provides training to help improve road confidence and knowledge on repairs. And for those interested in making the switch to e-cargo bikes permanent, they offer purchasing advice based on your specific needs.

Gail Murray, Active Travel Department Lead at Bike for Good said: "The eCargo bike library programme is revolutionising how families and businesses in Glasgow approach transportation. With our free two-week loans, individuals can experience the convenience and versatility of eCargo bikes, contributing to a more sustainable and active city."

Bike for Good's eCargo bike library programme is a pioneering initiative aimed at promoting behaviour change to encourage active and sustainable travel. It focuses on delivering key objectives to increase levels of active and sustainable travel uptake for utility, health, and commuting purposes.

Participants in the programme have access to a wide range of eCargo bikes models, enabling them to experience and embrace active travel options. Designed to be accessible and progressive, the programme allows participants to enhance their knowledge, skills, and confidence in adopting sustainable travel practices aligned with the ‘sustainable travel hierarchy’.

Funding for the eCargo bike library programme is provided by the 'Smarter Places, Smarter Choices' programme and Glasgow City Council. This support facilitates the effective implementation of behavioural change initiatives aimed at increasing levels of active and sustainable travel within the community. The council's successful application to the 'Smarter Choices, Smarter Places' Local Authority Fund reflects its commitment to promoting sustainable transportation options and enhancing overall community well-being.

Speaking about the scheme, Gregory Kinsman-Chauvet, CEO and Founder at Bike for Good said: "At Bike for Good, we're proud to lead the charge towards a greener and healthier Glasgow. Our eCargo bike library programme not only promotes sustainable travel but also fosters community connections and enhances urban mobility. Together, we're shaping a brighter future for our city."

To find out more about the free loan scheme, visit the Bike for Good website or stop by their Southside or West End branch for more information.

This article is an advertorial, paid for by Bike Food Good.