Visitors to Hexham Farmers’ Market will be able to spot some special guests this weekend.
However, it’s not local celebrities to be looking out for, but an electric cargo bike and a ‘trishaw’.
The trishaw will be offering free e-bike ‘rickshaw’ rides around Sele Park and up to the Farmers’ Market on Beaumont Street from Wentworth Car Park.
Nick Morphet, one of the Directors of Active Travel Tynedale, said: “It would be wonderful to have an electric cycle-rickshaw in Hexham, and to be able to give rides just as they do in Prudhoe, to less mobile people to get them out into the fresh air and into these important green spaces.
“And for anyone who finds it difficult to walk up the hill to Hexham Town Centre from the car parks, shuttle service on a rickshaw might make all the difference.”
Two electric cargo bikes will also be present, on loan from RideElectric and Food & Drink North East, offering a ‘last mile’ delivery service to homes and businesses while emitting zero carbon emissions.
Carolin Blaske of Tynedale Active Travel said: “We aim to show that there are other ways to get lots of shopping and heavy loads to customers’ homes or cars than by having to park close by – a cargo bike is the ideal solution and some residents in Hexham have already benefitted from having their shopping delivered by us.”
READ MORE: ‘A clean and safe way of getting around’ – Crowdfund to make Hexham travel greener
At the time of writing, Hexham Electric Rickshaw’s Crowdfund has raised £1,280 of £15,046, and there are ten days left to run.
Josh Morland, from Active Travel Tynedale said: “We are hoping to raise enough funds to purchase an e-rickshaw for Hexham and offer rides at Tyne Green for those who might not otherwise be able to enjoy Hexham’s wonderful green spaces and riverside.”
The Farmers’ Market are loaning the rickshaw from Cycling without Age, a charity providing trishaw rides for members of the Prudhoe community who have limited mobility.
Initially, it was intended that the electric rickshaw would be featured at Hexham Big Day Out, which has since been cancelled due to Covid restrictions.
This month’s Hexham Farmers’ Market is taking place on Saturday, June 26 from 9am – 1:30pm.
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