Toronto is getting a fleet of eco-friendly cargo bikes
Toronto is welcoming a trio of eco-friendly cargo bikes to its fleet of maintenance vehicles, thanks to a new pilot project that was passed yesterday.
Basically a regular bike with load-carrying capabilities—they're sometimes referred to as freight or utility bikes—cargo bikes have been greenlit by City Council as a way to reduce carbon emissions.
"Staff research indicates that cargo bikes are most appropriate for replacing light duty vehicles, gators and utility carts that are used seasonally and do not travel long distances," said a City report on the bikes.
We'll only be getting three to start off with, but they'll only operate at Allan Gardens for now doing 'seasonal park maintenance'. It's unclear when exactly the bikes will be implemented.
I saw this tweet two years ago from @CityofEdmonton and put forward a motion in Toronto to bring the idea here. Today city council passed a pilot project to bring cargo bikes into Toronto’s fleet for parks maintenance. @CycleToronto https://t.co/f8Vf6ckiep
— Mike Layton (@m_layton) May 14, 2019
If the pilot project proves to go well, however, we could be getting a larger fleet similar to Edmonton's 'watering tricycles'.
Used to water the flowers in bike-lane planters, Edmonton's trikes can carry up to 140 litres of water, using pump systems that are totally solar-powered.
Their bikes cost $8,500 each, but it's unclear exactly how much Toronto's wheels will be, or which company they'll be purchasing from, though the City says it will hopefully be buying local.
According to the City, it could cost us anywhere between $2,000 to $10,000 per bike. Whoever's riding them, however, will do their part in reducing gas emissions, and probably get some killer quads while they're at it.
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