The use of e-bikes in Cornwall has led to a reduction in car trips, boosting health and easing congestion.
This comes as a result of a successful trial by the University of Bath and Cornwall Council that saw a 28 per cent decrease in car use.
As anyone who commutes by car will say, traffic congestion and parking problems are a constant headache.
However, Cornwall residents and council employees are turning to the healthier and more sustainable option of e-bikes.
This shift comes after the University of Bath and Cornwall Council initiative that offered 100 locals and 27 council staff free Beryl bike credits for a whole month, from May 2023 until July 2023.
The trial's impact is notable as the number of residents using the bike-sharing scheme jumped from 7 per cent to 31 per cent, while 71 per cent of council employees used the Beryl bikes for several reasons.
As a result, the Beryl bike journeys replaced 28 per cent of private car use, with benefits ranging from reducing carbon emissions to improving mental wellbeing and freeing up sought-after parking spaces.
Highlighting the successful shift, 61 per cent of the residents and 79 per cent of the council staff expressed their desire to depend less on cars.
Also, one in five residents are considering buying an e-bike within the next 12 months.
Talking about the trial outcomes, lead researcher Mark Wilson of CAST said: "The participants in this study identified many benefits of using Beryl bikes in terms of convenience, health, reducing carbon emissions, and cycling up steep hills.
"These findings indicate that shared e-bikes provide an alternative to cars that is reliable, attractive and flexible, particularly for frequent trips such as commuting."
Cornwall Councillor, Richard Williams-Pears added: "Our e-bike share scheme [has] gone from strength to strength with more than 160,000 journeys in Cornwall since it started in September 2022."
Researchers have further suggested the installation of bike parking bays near workplaces, secure bike storage in town centres, and free trials of e-bikes at popular locales like beaches to entice more people to make the switch.
Employers are also encouraged to provide shared e-bikes and shower facilities to promote healthier commuting.
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