A new pilot project which will see electric bikes complete business-to-business deliveries in Belfast city centre is set to be launched this week.

Local company streetdock is launching this zero-emissions delivery service with funding from the Department for Infrastructure's Sustainable and Active Travel elements of the Department for Communities' Covid-19 Revitalisation Programme Fund, with Belfast City Council supporting project delivery. 

Welcoming the pilot project, which will operate for one year, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Kate Nicholl, said: "I'm delighted to officially launch streetdock’s e-cargo delivery service. Alongside the Department for Infrastructure and the Department for Communities, Belfast City Council has developed a Bolder Vision for the future of the city centre. This vision fundamentally reimagines how our streets and public spaces are used. It looks to create more vibrant, connected and accessible places that appeal to a wide range of people.

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"streetdock's e-cargo delivery service is a great practical example of how innovative thinking can help to transform this collective vision into reality.  These non-polluting forms of transport will help lower city centre traffic congestion, supporting key aims of reducing car dominance and prioritising routes for walking, wheeling and cycling through the city centre."

Discussing the team's aims for the new scheme, Ian Richardson from streetdock commented: "People are realising that we will not meet our zero-emission targets if we don't change how we do things. Our vision is to help Belfast reduce congestion, air pollution and provide businesses with new options that enable them to make positive changes while also benefiting from better services."

Damien Corr from Cathedral Quarter BID added: "Under the Safer, Cleaner, Greener strand of the Cathedral Quarter Business plan for the next five years, the CQ BID has been facilitating activity around the pedestrianisation in this part of the city. 

"During our discussions a common concern among business is, not surprisingly, how can we get deliveries to our premises? It struck me that eCargo bikes could be part of the solution and we're keen to continue to facilitate discussions between streetdock and businesses in the Cathedral Quarter moving forward."

streetdock's e-cargo bikes will be taking to the streets from 09 December.