The number of cargo bikes used in London has soared dramatically as support builds for zero-emission deliveries.
Research by Clean Cities found a 63% increase in cargo bikes used by Londoners and businesses from 2022 to 2023 – but also calls for more government support to help fleets ditch polluting vans.
Analysis from Transport for London as part of its Cargo Action Plan highlights that cargo bikes could replace up to 17% of van deliveries – equivalent to one in six – in central London by 2030. This would reduce congestion, improve business efficiency, and support the development of more liveable and healthier cities. The hidden social and environmental costs associated with diesel vans in London total £2.46bn annually.
More than £100m has been committed by TfL for businesses to scrap polluting vans but none of this has been dedicated to accelerating the uptake of cargo bikes.
Campaigners and businesses took to the streets of London this week in support of Clean Cargo Capital, a new campaign aiming to accelerate the uptake of electric- and pedal-powered commercial vehicles.
A group of 54 businesses operating cargo bikes rode through central London to celebrate different organisations using the sustainable alternative to petrol or diesel vans. The convoy saw MPs join couriers, plumbers and electricians in calling for a ‘Green Deal for Freight’, with remaining funds allocated to a ‘Bikes for Business’ project so that tailored advice and subsidies are made available to any London businesses wanting to adopt cargo bikes.
The group want to see measures that level the playing field between cargo bikes and more polluting delivery modes, such as a fairer and smarter Congestion Charge that more accurately reflects environmental and social costs of different modes, as well as an urgent river crossings package for cargo bikes as they are excluded from Silvertown Tunnel, which opens next year.
Jack Skillen, director of sustainability and place at Team London Bridge, the business improvement district, said: “In this area alone over 200 businesses have made a switch to cargo bike, whether it is for transporting legal contracts, blood samples, stationary or waste.
“The change in London Bridge has been dramatic, and is having such a positive impact on the environment and the public. But there are barriers limiting progress, so we need partners, including the Mayor, local and national governments to share our vision if we are going to see this positive transformation continue across London”.
Jemima Hartshorn, founder of the Mums For Lungs group, said: “As demonstrated today with the Cargo Bike Cruise, there are alternatives to the dirty diesel and petrol vehicles we see on our roads in still increasing numbers. We must see London transition to a cleaner and greener city, we must incentivise businesses to adopt not only electric vehicles but innovative and yet simple solutions such as the cargo bike.
“Whether it be grocery deliveries or a local electrician, the humble cargo bike is being shown as an impactful tool in decarbonising local economies and cleaning up London’s air. We need to see further support from the Mayor for businesses to take part in this pedal-powered revolution.”
