Photo: City of Cambridge
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The City of Cambridge is offering local businesses the opportunity to acquire an e-cargo delivery bike.
The idea is that businesses can apply to receive a voucher from the city that will offer up to $5,000 for the purchase of an e-cargo bike, plus an additional $350 for bike accessories such as a helmet, lock, and lights.
“It’s like a car with a trunk; except it’s on a bike,” Assistant Commissioner of Transportation Planning for Cambridge’s Department of Transportation Stephanie Groll said. “They can carry bags of food that people order, or if somebody orders products from a local retail shop, that can be delivered comfortably.”
Groll said that after the hit so many local businesses took during the COVID-19 pandemic, the city hopes that these bikes will allow them to expand their customer reach while being an environmentally friendly option compared to more standard vehicles.
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She also noted that, from a monetary perspective, these e-bikes save the business much more money than if they had to pay for a car or a third-party delivery service.
“That helps save them money because the third-party delivery companies take a cut of the profit,” Groll said. “This program can help businesses keep all the profit for themselves.”
The application deadline for receiving a voucher is July 20, so Groll encourages those who are interested to apply as soon as possible.
“Get your application in now to make sure you’re going to be eligible,” she said.
More information regarding Cambridge’s bike programs and how to apply can be found here.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.