Alternative transport trailblazer Keert received £2,500 towards buying a new e-cargo bike for the West Wight in 2024 from Wightlink’s Green Innovation Fund. Enthusiastic riders were already delivering all kinds of things for the Island community, with zero emissions.

Using an e-cargo bike improves air quality, makes roads quieter and reduces traffic noise. It shows Islanders that bikes are an alternative to cars and inspires others towards a healthier lifestyle.

The e-cargo bikes can carry up to 150kg and large volumes of parcels. Keert riders receive a living wage and full training, with all deliveries insured and tracked – it’s an efficient, safe and secure service. Keert had already been delivering for the local community for 18 months and wanted to expand its service.

We caught up with Matthew Whittaker in late 2024 for an update on the project:

“The Wightlink grant was instrumental in buying a Riese & Muller Transporter electric cargo bike to cover the Yarmouth and Freshwater area, and forming the foundation of our West Wight micro-hub (with thanks to Rapanui for helping us with the space).

So far, the bike has carried 1200kg of goods to their destination. Up to November it totted up to 450 miles of emission free deliveries around West Wight, and we expect it will be over 500 by the end of the year. If the same goods had been delivered by a diesel van, this would have generated 120kg of CO2equivalent emissions (about the equivalent weight of 3 toilets).

Nic, our rider, has been supporting the Freshwater Pop-up pantry with free deliveries for members with mobility or mental health issues that mean they otherwise wouldn’t be able to access the service.

We have also been delivering commercial orders on behalf of clients including Jaspers Coffee who were desperate for us to offer our service across the island. These commercial orders and our generous volunteer riders are what allows us to offer a service to charity and community organisations free of charge, and secures the economic sustainability of the micro-hub. We still have capacity to do more with the bike and would encourage island businesses with a commitment to sustainability who have deliveries or collections in the West Wight to get in touch.”