MEMBERS of three NHS Trusts recently attended a session at Tudor Grange Park to try out a range of electric cargo bikes.
The demonstration saw Sustainability leads at Black Country Healthcare, Sandwell and West Birmingham, and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trusts, practice riding the bikes, to visualise how they could be used to transport medical equipment and supplies across hospital sites.
Four different types of e-cargo bike were tested, with each providing easy access storage spaces.
The bikes, which can carry up to 200kg, provide a greener and more sustainable alternative to petrol or diesel-powered cars or lorries.
The e-cargo bikes are available to businesses and community groups on a trial basis, supporting the Council’s commitments to clean air and carbon reduction.
Discussions on the use of the e-cargo bikes across the three NHS Trusts is currently ongoing.
Coun Andy Mackiewicz, cabinet portfolio holder for climate change and planning, said: “Our electric cargo bikes provide a practical and green alternative to traditionally fuelled vehicles.
“We know that transport emissions make up more than a third of all C02 emissions in Solihull, so the more that greener alternatives like the bikes are used, the better.”
“The session at Tudor Grange Park has given our NHS colleagues a glimpse of the bikes’ potential before they decide if they’d like to use them across their sites.
“I’d encourage any groups interested in using e-cargo bikes to contact our sustainable travel team.”
The Council is continuing its efforts to use electric vehicles as much as possible, moving towards a fully electric fleet by 2030.
