On Tuesday I met with cycling experts from across Wales at the demonstration of e-bikes outside the Senedd organised by the Cross Party Group on the Adctive Travel Act. I enjoyed trialling some of the bikes that we expect to see on Cardiff’ streets in the coming months, and to get a taste of how they can help more residents move away from motor vehicles.

E-bikes (Electrically assisted bikes) are now common across Europe and have started to arrive in the UK and Wales. They are like ordinary bikes – you have to pedal to make them go – they just have an electric motor to make pedalling easier.  The major benefit of this help people with mobility issues or whose health conditions limit their physical activities. It also helps that hills and long distances become much more manageable.

In light of our zero carbon targets, it is vital that we radically rethink how we get around our cities. We each need to take steps in our own lives to offset our carbon footprints, and with travel accounting for over 25% of UK emissions, taking small steps like cycling rather than driving to work can make a difference. This is also not to mention the costs saved from car parking, paying for fuel and general car maintenance.

I look forward to seeing them introduced in Cardiff Central, and am looking forward to using them to get out and about in the city.