Rickshaw service comes to Oswestry

Launched on 16 March 2022 with an inaugural ride by the Deputy Mayor of Oswestry, a zero carbon bike shuttle has been introduced in Oswestry as part of a new strategy to encourage active travel and reduce the number of cars in the town centre.

The new Oswestry Rickshaw service will be free for passengers to use (donations to the charity are welcome) and will be used to promote active travel in the Oswestry area and will initially cover short routes in and around Oswestry during set operating hours, to help visitors and shoppers get around.

Operating hours and routes will be kept under review so visit www.ShropshireCycleHub.uk for the latest information.

The project is being run by Shropshire Cycle Hub in partnership with Oswestry Town Council (OTC) and Oswestry BID (Business Improvement District), supported by grant funding from both organisations.

Councillor Jay Moore, Deputy Mayor said “I was pleased to be part of the launch today and am really looking forward to seeing people enjoying travelling around town on the Rickshaw.”

Arren Roberts, OTC Town Clerk hopes the rickshaw will help people get into the centre of town and make local journeys without needing a car. He said: “Oswestry is a lovely town with ambition to become more sustainable and attract more visitors, and this new zero carbon transport service will help us to reduce the need for use of motor vehicles in our town, helping us to achieve both of these goals. We know that some people, particularly those with mobility issues, struggle to get to local services, and this new transport will help them to access the best of what Oswestry has to offer. The Oswestry Rickshaw will be a great alternative to driving through town. I would like to thank Oswestry BID and Shropshire Cycle Hub for working with us on this exciting project which we think will make a real difference to the town centre.

Commenting, Adele Nightingale, Manager of Oswestry BID said: “We are delighted to be working with OTC and Shropshire Cycle Hub on this project and believe this will be just the start of some great new initiatives to promote active travel whilst providing a different way for people to get around town, be that visitors or residents”.

Mark Fermor, Chair of the Trustees of Shropshire Cycle Hub, added: “We are delighted to be working with Oswestry Town Council and Oswestry BID to bring this innovative and sustainable solution to the town. This is a great chance to showcase how we can use Rickshaw bikes, and other forms of cycling, to reduce our carbon footprint, keep our town centre free of traffic and create an even more inviting place for everybody to enjoy. You can either hail a ride if you see us in town, or phone for a pick up, subject to availability, at any time within the defined operating hours”.

“We have opportunities for volunteers in Oswestry as Rickshaw Pilots (full training provided) so please get in touch if you would like to be part of this sustainable transport initiative”.

For more information or to arrange a ride, call Oswestry Hub Manager, Christine Jennings on 07946 045593 or email shropshirecyclehub@gmail.com