SoulRiders, which claims to be Scotland’s first integrated e-cargo bike delivery and food waste service, has revealed it has saved nearly seven tons of carbon from vans and cars since launching its zero-emissions service in Glasgow last year.

The project has a target to save an estimated 165 tons of carbon over the next three years to help improve Glasgow’s air quality. After an award of over £140,000 from SP Energy Networks’ Green Economy Fund to purchase the five e-cargo bikes in August 2020, the Glasgow based innovator has now made “last mile” deliveries to over 118 food initiatives and travelled an estimated distance of 180km.

"Last mile" delivery services are drop-offs within your local area.

With multiple stops it is claimemd they are "often the most expensive and polluting as they are usually made by small diesel vans contributing to congestion, poor air quality and climate change".

READ MORE: Ayr laboratory sieve manufacturer Glenammer celebrates £1m-plus turnover

SoulRiders said its e-cargo bikes help provide a solution to traffic and pollution issues in Glasgow by reducing the number of delivery vehicles on the streets and helping the city on its journey to become the UK’s first Net Zero city.

SP Energy Networks is part of the ScottishPower group, a Principal Partner for the United Nations climate change conference COP26 in Glasgow later this year. The e-cargo bikes were funded by SP Energy Networks’ £20million Green Economy Fund, which supports Glasgow’s mission to become the UK’s first Net Zero emissions city by 2030 and the Scottish Government’s ambitious plans to meet climate change targets.

SoulRiders’ vision is to create a stronger, healthier and more active community through cycling. The community-led organisation aims to continue to tackle social issues such as food poverty and is currently making zero-emission deliveries for ‘MILK Café’s Work From Home Lunches’, a social enterprise set up to empower and support refugee and migrant women living in Glasgow.

Rashid Khaliq, chief executive, SoulRiders, said: “Thanks to funding from the Green Economy Fund, the project is not only reducing carbon emissions and combatting air pollution in the city but also, providing an accessible solution to businesses and communities to tackle climate change. The e-cargo bikes are great way to remind our communities that we are in a climate emergency as well as inspiring others to do what they can to help.

“In addition to tackling climate change, the project will also be supporting New Scots (refugees and asylum seekers) by transporting surplus good food to food share initiatives. We hope that the project can give the people of Glasgow some pride that their city is already taking steps to a net-zero future.”

Scott Mathieson, of SP Energy Networks, said: “SoulRiders' electric fleet has enabled them to play a part in improving the city’s air quality and supporting the local community. It has a brilliant blueprint for developing new green solutions to meet the needs of local people and businesses in Glasgow.

“SoulRiders has an innovative ‘last mile’ model that could be applied in other communities across the country. With the UN COP26 climate summit coming to Glasgow, this project is a standout example of how we can make the city cleaner and green through community action.”

Vexing questions for returners as furlough begins to unwind

The Herald: Mhairi De Luca secured permanent employment with Muckle Media after a three-year break. Picture: Malcolm Cochrane.Mhairi De Luca secured permanent employment with Muckle Media after a three-year break. Picture: Malcolm Cochrane.

IN A market where just about every job vacancy receives hundreds of applications, a gap in a candidate’s work history is all too often the kiss of death that takes their CV out of the running at the first hurdle. It’s just one of several obstacles returners face after a career break, whether their hiatus was enforced or voluntary.

READ MORE: According to the Office for National Statistics, there were 1.8 million women in the UK who were not in paid employment prior to the pandemic because they were looking after family and home. That number, which excludes the many female carers who receive small amounts of paid income, compares to just 200,000 men in the same circumstances.

Scots-Italian entrepreneur to open new Edinburgh restaurants

The Herald: Stefano Pieraccini owns restaurants in Edinburgh and St Andrews and has enjoyed being immersed in the hospitality trade from a young age.Stefano Pieraccini owns restaurants in Edinburgh and St Andrews and has enjoyed being immersed in the hospitality trade from a young age.

Name: Stefano Pieraccini.

Age: 25.

What is your business called?

The Rocca Group.

Where is it based?

READ MORE: We currently have three venues across Scotland and have plans to open two more in Edinburgh this summer. The current portfolio comprises the Seafood Ristorante in St Andrews and The West Room and The Broughton, both in Edinburgh. We will be opening Rico’s, a destination Italian restaurant, in Edinburgh city centre in July 2021, on the former site of Michelin Star Chef Martin Wishart’s The Honours. We also have plans for a more casual, pop-up version of Rico’s in another area of the city, which is still to be formally announced.

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