Exmouth volunteer bicycle delivery service needs your help to survive

A new bicycle delivery service that supports local charities and businesses is now asking for donations to help it continue.

'ExeCargo', a volunteer-led community project run by Transition Exmouth, now needs to buy its own eCargo bike to continue providing its service.

The eCargo bikes are specially designed to carry goods in a large box on the front of their frames and have an electric assist to help their rider pedal.

A spokesperson for ExeCargo said: "It makes shopping locally accessible to residents who are unable to go to the shops, or who just enjoy the convenience of home delivery.

"By supporting local businesses we are also helping make livelihoods more sustainable as well as promoting sustainability as a routine aspect of everyday life in Exmouth.

"The heart of the project is providing free use to local community groups such as the Exmouth Food Bank, who regularly make deliveries to the community.

"In the short term to medium term, the project will also empower people out of work by creating meaningful healthy, eco-friendly, voluntary work and there is even long term potential for self-employed delivery riders and logistics persons."

The project was first conceived in November last year, and in December Transition Exmouth was awarded a £500 grant.

This enabled them to hire an eCargo bike from Exmouth Cycles and pilot the delivery service for three months.

The trial began in March, and since then the service has been carrying out deliveries for three independent Exmouth businesses, and also started doing collections for the Exmouth Food Bank in May.

Its services have initially been free of charge, but eventually ExeCargo would like to charge businesses a small fee to cover its overheads such as website costs, bike maintenance, and insurance. Delivery for community groups and charities will always be free, however.

The trial is due to end this month, and the hired eCargo bike will have to be returned. However, if enough funds are be raised for the service to buy its own eCargo bike, which usually cost upwards of £3,500, they could continue to operate.

The Crowdfunder is set to expire on 24 June - click here to donate.

The ExeCargo website can be found here.

Click here to follow Execargo on Facebook.