Former furniture maker turns his hand to eBikes to help improve people's lives

A FORMER furniture maker is putting his tools to good use by creating electric cargo bikes, which Cornish people will be able to assemble themselves.

Aaron Moore, from Redruth, transitioned from a career crafting tables and chairs to sustainable bikes – in the hopes they will reduce congestion, pollution, and fossil fuels while improving people's mental and physical health.

The goal is to create a "kit of parts," which can be cut out with a computerised machine, as a cheap and easy way to encourage more people to cycle.

Aaron Moore, from Redruth, transitioned from a career crafting tables and chairs to sustainable bikes (Image: Frankie Adkins)

Moore, who is in his 60s, had a lightbulb moment when visiting his daughter in Amsterdam.

"I fell in love with bikes there. Everyone seems to have them to take their kids to school, to do food shopping, or for tradesmen to take tools to work," he said.

When he returned to Redruth, he set to work designing his own electric cargo bike in his woodwork studio in Skinners Bottom. Around 18 months later, Moore finished a prototype model.

"My aim is to develop a kit of parts for a machine that is predominantly made of plywood, where the design can be freely downloaded from the internet, and all the components cut out by local workshops with computerised machines.

"These parts can then be assembled by anybody with minimal skills and equipment, making this form of transport as cheap and accessible as possible," said Moore.

Moore's second prototype (Image: Frankie Adkins)

The materials are all sustainable, using plywood from Falmouth rather than steel, as it is cheaper, less energy-intensive and does not rust. The electric motor was bought from eBay and the parts can be put together with wood glue. The design will be ‘open source’ so that it can be downloaded and recreated by the public.

Moore's invention chimes with the UK's 100th annual Bike Week, taking place from 5-11 June, which marks a century of celebrating everyday cycling.

Transport accounts for 27% of Cornwall's greenhouse house gas emissions, according to recent estimates. Active travel, including electric bikes, cars and public transport will be key to helping Cornwall reach its carbon-neutral pledge by 2030.

Since completing the electric cargo bike three weeks ago, Moore's car use has already changed. "I’ve trialled it on the weekly shop to Tesco and back. Last week we didn't use a car once," he said.

Moore's invention chimes with the UK's 100th annual Bike Week (Image: Frankie Adkins)

Electric bikes are taking off in Cornwall, with rentable e-bike schemes rolled out in Falmouth, St Austell, Newquay, Truro and Penzance. "The more pedal power you put into it, the more assistance you get. It makes life a lot easier going up hills because Cornwall can be a bit hilly!" said Moore.

A new electric bike can cost around £3,000-4,000 and Moore, who has an MA in sustainable design from Falmouth University, is hoping his design will save cyclists around £1000.

"The cost of living, energy and petrol is just going to go up. This feels like something worth promoting," he added.

You can find out more about Aaron Moore's electric cargo bikes by visiting www.cnccraft.co.uk or emailing [email protected]