GREEN TRAVEL PLANS

New planning regulations are prompting architects and developers to pay more attention to the carbon footprint of new and re-purposed developments. Many of the UK’s regional and local authorities require developers and estate managers to submit a Green Travel Plan (GTP) as part of the planning application process. In years to come car- and bus-based travel plans, which produce relatively high emissions per passenger mile, will meet with increased resistance from planning authorities.

Light Electric Vehicles, Ltd., (LEV) offers an ‘off-the-shelf’ alternative to car- and bus-based travel plans – an alternative that costs a great deal less and is far more effective. A GTP based around LEV’s Sparta Ion electrically assisted bicycles and including our off-grid solar charging stations, on-site training, and on-site service and maintenance can save money and speed the planning application process.

The GTP represents an unavoidable development cost in the design and planning stage. Conventional GTPs frequently mandate further costs for the built development’s eventual owners or tenants. For example, a car-share scheme commits future users to car parking and road maintenance costs; a shuttle bus system relies on continuous and uninterrupted service and open-ended contacts with the bus company or its successor.

Capital costs for implementation are fixed; on-site service and maintenance contracts may be fixed for anything from 1 to 5 years. Planning requirements for the solar powered bike stores are minimal as they are non-permanent structures. See ‘Fleet’ page for further details [link].

A GTP that integrates LEV’s products and services offers many advantages, both for the developer and eventual tenants. For developers, infrastructure costs are lower and the burden of coordinating with local transportation providers is eased. For tenants, an electric bike-based GTP can reduce business mileage costs and slash carbon emissions to negligible levels, all while promoting employees’ health and fitness.

Why do ebikes work where conventional cycles don’t?

• Ebike users can whiz to work without needing a shower on arrival

• An electric bike makes cycling easy, regardless of fitness level

• An electric bike enables its rider to tackle hills and headwinds with minimal effort

• An electric bike rider can easily average 15 mph, significantly faster than typical car and bus speeds in city traffic

• LEV’s Sparta Ion bikes offer a range of over 30 miles between charges; recharging costs no more than 2p (based on current UK power mix)

• LEV’s Veltop windscreen and cover provide weather protection in the same way as a convertible top for a car.