The government’s Road to Zero strategy, published today (link is external)and which seeks to lay the groundwork for eliminating almost all road traffic emissions by 2050, has been criticised by cycling campaigners for failing to acknowledge the role electric bicycles can play in helping achieve that target.
The strategy foresees continuing existing grants to purchasers of electric cars, vans, taxis and motorcycles at leased until 2020, but Sustrans says there has been a “missed opportunity” to also provide subsidies to people buying e-bikes, as happens in a number of other European countries.
The strategy does say that the government will consider offering incentives for e-cargo bikes, but the charity Cycling UK said that it was “extraordinary” that no mention was made of e-bikes generally, an omission also highlighted by the Bicycle Association.
Unveiled today by transport secretary Chris Grayling, the much-delayed strategy seeks to build on the government’s stated aim of making the UK a world leader in electric vehicles.
Among its proposals are providing additional cash to fund more charging points for electric vehicles throughout the country, as well as considering whether there should be a requirement for builders of new homes to provide facilities for charging them.
The only reference to bicycles came in a section addressing ‘last mile deliveries’ with the government saying:
We are considering further options for reducing emissions for last mile deliveries, particularly in urban areas. We will shortly launch a call for evidence on this subject, including exploring for the first time providing grants and/or other financial incentives to support the use of e-cargo bikes.
Cycling UK policy director Roger Geffen said: “It is extraordinary that the government can publish a strategy on low emission vehicles and ignore electric bicycles, while saying nothing new about cycling more generally.
Campaigners slam government for ignoring e-bikes in Road to Zero emissions strategy
road.cc) The government’s Road to Zero strategy, published today (link is external)and which seeks to lay the groundwork for eliminating almost all road traffic emissions by 2050, has been criticised by cycling campaigners for failing to acknowledge the role electric bicycles can play in helping achieve that target. The strategy foresees continuing existing grants to… [Read More]
