New pedal assist vehicles in operation along the coast

Two brand new pedal assist e-cargo vehicles are now in operation along the coastline.

They are helping staff carry out essential tasks like restocking catering outlets and replenishing washroom facilities along beaches in Poole and Bournemouth.

With pedal power, and batteries that can be charged overnight providing a range of 40 miles, the bikes will make a contribution to improving air quality in the area.

Thanks to investment from the Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (DEFRA) Air Quality Fund, BCP Council successfully secured £120,000 to invest in air quality improvement projects, which included an e-cargo vehicle scheme to support council seafront operations with a reduced emission fleet, work on the Schools Clean Air project, and an animated film.

Richard Pincroft, Head of Transport and Sustainable Travel at BCP Council, said: We’re delighted to have secured funding to invest in these new e-cargo vehicles.

“It’s all part of our ongoing commitment to improve air quality, reduce congestion, and encourage eco-friendly, sustainable transport for both work and leisure purposes.”

Jose Melone, Catering Supervisor at BCP Council, added: “I really enjoy using these e-cargo vehicles along the seafront. They’re a positive conversation starter with people enjoying the beach, and they also make the environment much cleaner and more pleasant.”

In addition to the e-cargo vehicle investment, the Defra Air Quality grant is funding a collaborative project between BCP Council and Bournemouth University academics, with help from students, to develop an educational animation about ‘the air we breathe’.

The short film aims to improve awareness about the causes of air pollution and will inform the family audience of small changes visitors and residents can take to help improve air quality.

Alain Simons, Senior Lecturer in Games Technology Programming at Bournemouth University, said: “The animation we’ve produced has given students a fantastic opportunity to work on a client project to a brief, and we’re looking forward to seeing it used in conjunction with other information on air quality that may make a difference to our environment.”