South Lakes Action for Climate Change, in partnership with Kendal Town Council, have launched a trial Electric Cargo Bike scheme called the Woolly Saddle Cargo project, which aims to deliver for a Zero Carbon Kendal.

12 local cargo bike volunteer riders have been trained by Phil Wade from Breaking Cycles CIC and are ready to serve Kendal businesses with their local collection and delivery needs.

With the initial demand for an e-cargo bike originating from the growing needs of the well-established Waste into Wellbeing project, the Woolly Saddle cargo volunteers aim to reduce the number of car or small van journeys around town.

The trial runs until 6 October 2022, with a loaned electric-assisted pro-bike from Raleigh. The project aims to find whole community solutions to cutting carbon by collaborating with organisations and businesses to offer a bespoke trial for their particular delivery, collection or work needs.

Evidence from similar projects in the UK suggests businesses can find cost savings through operating a cargo bike model, and with increasing fuel prices it is the perfect time to try something new. If successful, cargo bikes could service some of Kendal’s internal transport needs and become a sustainable business in its own right.

The bike is being trialled by the National Trust Rangers at Sizergh for a few days, as well as the volunteers offering cropshare deliveries for Growing Well, post runs for Dirtbags, print deliveries for Absolute, gift parcels for Farrers, laundry runs for The Fleece Inn in addition to waste food collections for the ‘Waste into Wellbeing’ project.

Chair of Environment and Highways, Cllr Eamonn Hennessy said ‘Kendal Town Council are pleased to support this initiative to enable Kendal businesses and organisations to experience the benefits of using electric cargo bikes for deliveries and everyday jobs. We will be using it for some of our allotment work and look forward to seeing if we too, can shift towards using cargo bikes to reduce our reliance on expensive and polluting vans’.

The trial is only possible thanks to local experienced cycling volunteers who are interested in finding greener solutions for Kendal and to promote active travel in the community. If you see one of our volunteers on a delivery or collection, you could give them a wave or ask them how the trial is going?

You can find more information at www.woollysaddle.org