Summary

Description

We will create a mobility and eCargobike / tool library hub for residents in the South West of Edinburgh, allowing people to access items that they need occasionally or would like to trial before they purchase. Community residents have told us they want to learn how to travel more sustainably as well as access Edinburgh Tool Library resources more easily.

Our project has three strands:

• We will create a mobility hub in the South West of Edinburgh. From this hub we will provide free single-day eCargoibike hires to the local community.
• This will also house SW Edinburgh branch of the Edinburgh Tool Library, a cooperative venture to share the use of tools between residents and community groups.
• We will expand our existing free-to-hire eCargobike fleet to help promote active travel. As well as hires, we are partnering with other SW Edinburgh community groups to give tasters event of sustainable, active travel across SW Edinburgh.

SW20 Community Mobility Hub:

 We plan to expand and have agreement of Edinburgh Council to site a container to house multiple eCargobikes in the rear Car Park of Colinton Library. This funding will allow us to purchase a storage container.

The funding will pay a small rent, extend insurance cover, have appropriate site/bike security and expand the use of online booking system. The storage space will also allow for future expansion to include a wider range of bikes, including accessible cycles.

Edinburgh Tool Library partnership:

 The storage location will also become the SW Edinburgh branch of the Edinburgh Tool Library. It’s a simple idea and works like a normal library, but you borrow tools (like drills/sanders/steamers) instead of books.

 The funding will allow for the purchase of a starter selection of tools. We intend to adapt our existing booking system for local hires. We see significant potential for this model to be self-sustaining – this funding would just be the start.

 Expand the fleet, promote active and sustainable travel:

 In addition, the funding will purchase an additional eCargobike. User feedback indicates that alternative and additional bikes will enable more (and different) users to test eCargobikes and particularly for families to use. This will also allow our members to support sustainable local food bank deliveries, including the Sunflower Pantry in Clovenstone.

 We will use events to collect data on the barriers to active travel locally. This will help inform local community councils and forthcoming consultations on active and public transport schemes.

 The funding will allow for a small marketing budget for leaflets, adverts in local press (Currie & Balerno News, Dell Directory, Colinton Magazine, Evening News) and branding of the bikes.