Trial run for environmentally friendly cargo ebike at Wick River Campsite
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Staff at Wick River Campsite have been given the opportunity to try out an environmentally friendly cargo ebike.
The electrically assisted three-wheeler was delivered last week by George Ewing, Cycling UK development officer for Caithness.
Through its Rural Connections initiative, the charity encourages active travel instead of driving for short journeys.
The cargo ebike could be an alternative to the existing quad bike at the caravan and camping site, operated by Wick Development Trust as a community enterprise.
George handed it over on a trial basis to Jonathan Miller, chairman of the development trust, and Martin Kelly, warden supervisor at the riverside site.
"The Rural Connections project is funded by the Scottish Government transport department and one of the goals is to try to use electric bikes or alternative means of transport for short everyday journeys," George explained.
"Hopefully the use of a cargo bike in the camp site may be a supplement to using a motorised type of vehicle, which is then going to have an impact on the carbon footprint that the development trust has when running this camp site. Any reduction is seen as a good thing.
"It's also a little more entertaining for the guests that are staying on the site to be able to see a cargo bike going round rather than other types of transport. Hopefully it is something that will be beneficial.
"It will be loaned here for at least a couple of months, then we'll get together and discuss whether or not it has had any degree of impact – and, if it has, then maybe extend the loan or try a different type of cargo bike."
Jonathan said: “We've got the quad bike there for doing jobs around the site. Sometimes the quad bike is required, other times we can use this. It's quiet, it's clean, it's got a lot of benefits.
"I think it could be a pretty viable option for quite a lot of the day-to-day activities."
Related stories:
- Wick woodland volunteers try out cargo ebike for spring planting programme
- Wick's revamped caravan site on course to be 'highly profitable' for town regeneration
Profits from Wick River Campsite will go towards local regeneration projects after a three-year programme to upgrade the facilities. Prospects for the new season have been described as "really positive".
There is a long-term goal to make the site net-zero.
George Ewing took up his role with Cycling UK in 2021. He can be contacted on 07341 792374 or email him at george.ewing@cyclinguk.org
A key aspect of Rural Connections is the offer of short-term and long-term cycle loans to help people find a bike that works for them.
