Mendip District Council is encouraging residents to take part in a survey, the results of which could bring an electric car and bike sharing scheme to the district for the first time.
The Council wants to gauge interest in the idea of running a district wide network of shared, low and zero-emission cars and bikes across Mendip.
Co Cars, a not-for-profit social enterprise, already operate such schemes successfully in the South West, and are the company behind the transport survey.
You can share your views here: www.mendip.gov.uk/paths. The survey is now live and will run until 31st August 2021.
Mendip Cllr Simon Carswell, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said: “We hope residents will take part in this important survey for Mendip. A scheme like this one will help us work towards our commitment to our carbon neutral goals.
“Introducing alternative transport schemes into our local area are ways we can ensure a fairer, greener and more sustainable community for all.”
Frome Town Councillor, Lizzie Boyle added: “We all know that difference that active lifestyles and clean air can make to our health and wellbeing. Often the biggest barrier is access: people need access to public transport, bikes and car clubs. I’d definitely encourage everyone to make their views known through this new survey so that we can look to the future and get the infrastructure and services that will be great for our community and our environment.”
Frome already has a host of sustainable transport options available in the town. The Co-Wheels car club provides a car sharing scheme which is the cheaper and more environment friendly alternative to owning a car. Co-wheels have two low emission cars in Frome – one outside the Town Hall and another in Alexandra Road.
These are available on-street 24/7 for members to use – once you have signed up just book online or via the smartphone app when you need the car and you only pay for the hours you use plus a small mileage charge. Visit the Co-Wheels website for more details.
We also have the ebike hire scheme in Frome. For the last 5 years Frome Town Council have owned 2 ebikes that are available to hire from Cycology bike shop. These are available for half or full day hire. The ebikes are charged at a very low rate (currently £6 half day or £12 full day) which is much less than a bike rental business and therefore gives more people the opportunity to borrow a bike for leisure or commuting.
