Help save the planet with an e-bike delivery service

* The e-bike delivery service sets off Drosi Bikes' workshop. 

An enterprising Llangollen community workshop is offering a delivery service to customers of shops in the town using a planet-saving electronic bike.

Thanks to outside funding Drosi Bikes, based in Parade Street, has been able to buy an electric assist e-cargo bike. 

And every Friday, for a small fee, it is offering local people the chance to use it to have their orders from local shops delivered within a 10-mile radius of the town centre.

Ceri, of Drosi Bikes, said: "Thanks to funding from Clocaenog WFF and the National Lottery's Together for our Planet we have been able to purchase the e-cargo bike.

"It is available to hire at reduced rates for Llangollen residents and organisations and, every Friday, we have a dedicated rider offering sustainable deliveries across the town and surrounding areas. 

"The main aim for the project is to provide residents with a real alternative to a car, particularly for shorter journeys or when travelling into the town. In turn, this helps to lower CO2 emissions and congestion within Llangollen, as well as promoting and supporting local businesses. 

"It is also hoped the delivery option will give residents more opportunity to walk, cycle or take the bus into town, knowing we are able to assist in getting their items back to them, without the hassle of carrying heavy bags."

She added: " The way it works is customers head to their favourite independent shops within Llangollen and purchase their items as usual. 

"They fill out a delivery card which gets left with their order and stored in the shop. We pick up from each store every Friday morning and distribute - payment is made upon collection. 

"If we're delivering within the town it's a flat fee of £2. Beyond this, we charge 50p per mile, up to a range of 10 miles outside of Llangollen.

"During this trial period we are only able to offer deliveries on a Friday - we have a dedicated rider every Friday to offer this service. Going forward, we hope to increase the number of days through a mix of volunteer and funded riders.

"This service is currently operating from a couple of Llangollen shops but we're happy to pick up deliveries from any independent store. If your favourite shop isn't currently signed up, ask them to get in touch with us.

"To maximise the efficiency of the bike, we're also happy to pick up items after dropping off deliveries, such as small items for the charity shop, food donations for the food share and so on."