A major cargo bike convoy is taking place in central London this Wednesday (30 September 2026) to showcase the capital’s booming pedal-powered freight revolution and demand urgent mayoral action on a record surge in polluting diesel vans.

More than 50 cargo bikes will sweep through the capital for the ‘Cruise’, as campaigners warn that London is falling dangerously behind on cleaning up its van fleets.

Research reveals two very different freight stories in London. Transport for London (TfL) data shows cargo bike use has more than doubled since 2022, up 126% across London and 149% up in inner London. Yet despite years of commitments on air quality and climate, the number of diesel vans registered by businesses in London is on the rise, and has broken the 100,000 mark for the first time.

Organised by Team London Bridge, Clean Cities and MP Smarter Travel, the convoy will highlight the growing role of cargo bikes in London and their potential to help decarbonise urban freight.

Campaigners and medical professionals have also renewed calls for action from the Mayor of London on ‘dirty deliveries’.

Recent analysis by Clean Cities has found that diesel vans are now the biggest road source of NOx emissions in central and inner London, underlining the importance of finding cleaner alternatives for urban deliveries.

Previously, leading campaigners from environmental and health organisations, including Prof Sir Stephen Holgate, Special Advisor to the Royal College of Physicians on Air Quality, and Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah CBE, the founder of the Ella Roberta Foundation, wrote to the Mayor of London calling for him to implement a Dutch-style zero-emission zone for freight to support the switch to zero-emission fleets such as cargo bikes and electric vans.

Business Improvement Districts have also written to the Mayor to call for action, showing the broad base of support for change.

Zak Bond, campaign manager at Clean Cities, said: “Cargo bikes are already transforming how some businesses make deliveries across London. But the capital’s growing diesel van fleet shows that progress in cleaning up urban freight has stalled.

“Policy needs to catch up and create the conditions for cleaner delivery options to scale. A zero-emission zone for freight in central London would help phase out the dirtiest vans while giving businesses the certainty and support they need to switch to cleaner deliveries.”