City councillors urged to get on their e-bikes

PLYMOUTH councillors have been told to lead by example and get on bikes to travel to meetings if they want citywide action on climate change.

- ALISON STEPHENSON

The comment came as they endorsed a new three-year initiative towards becoming net zero by 2030.

The net-zero action plan includes introducing kerbside food waste collections, a new electric car club and zero-emission buses, and more community-based schemes.

Cllr Natalie Harrison (Con, Plympton St Mary) said councillors could all act as role models for more sustainable ways to travel.

She said 510 e-bikes called Beryl Bikes are in 104 locations in Plymouth.

“I fully support the plan and it mentions that councillors need to get more involved, but not how. I would encourage councillors to make use of the Beryl Bikes that are available in all our communities. They can use them to go to meetings.

“We could all be out there role-modelling and promoting the use of Beryl Bikes and pedalling more often. We can support each other by doing this.”