London’s first Cargo Bike Action Plan launched

• Cargo bikes make journeys quicker and more efficient, as well as delivering air quality improvements, which contribute to healthier and safer streets    
• TfL estimates cargo bikes could replace up to 17 per cent of van kilometres in central London by 2030   

Transport for London (TfL) has unveiled a new plan to work with the boroughs, businesses and the freight and servicing industry to transform how deliveries and servicing trips are made in the capital by promoting the growth of cargo bikes. The safe, clean and efficient functioning of freight in London is vitally important to the economy and a healthier and more sustainable city for all Londoners.

The use of cargo bikes for freight and servicing trips is becoming more widespread, with major businesses including Amazon and DHL using them for deliveries because they are quicker, cheaper and greener. 

In London, 90 per cent of all goods are transported by road and around half of the value of household expenditure in London relies on freight. Road freight is a major source of nitrogen dioxide emissions, a key contributor to London's toxic air. Cargo bikes offer a much cleaner way to deliver freight and services and deliver considerable air pollution savings, contributing to healthier and safer streets and enabling better use of urban space.  

TfL estimates that cargo bikes could replace up to four per cent of van kilometres by 2030. Central London is expected to see the highest growth and could replace up to 17 per cent of van kilometres by 2030. It is estimated that the carbon savings resulting from cargo bike growth across Greater London will be up to 30,000 tonnes of CO2 a year by 2030.  

Cargo bikes also present a lower risk to people walking and cycling than vans and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), helping to make London's streets safer and more attractive for people using public transport, walking and cycling.     

The plan, launched today (Friday 31 March) at the National Cargo Bike Summit in central London, sets out actions to promote cargo bike use and address barriers that inhibit or prevent a shift from vans to cargo bikes. Key actions within the plan include:   

• Developing a London safety standard for cargo bikes that adopts best practice, publishing guidance for both riders and operators   
• Exploring opportunities to provide space, such as micro-hubs and parking to support last mile cargo bike operations  
• Monitoring where key cargo bike routes are across the city to identify usage patterns and project future growth   
• Using procurement policy to support further cargo bike uptake   
• Ensuring adequate and suitable capacity for cargo bikes when designing future TfL cycling schemes  
• Promoting cargo bikes when planning TfL, or supporting borough schemes - including Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and borough-led vehicle emissions-based schemes   
• Providing businesses with the tools and information they need to feel able to make the switch to cargo bikes   

Will Norman, Walking and Cycling Commissioner said: "Cargo bikes are no longer a niche concept, and they can be real game changers when it comes to delivering freight and servicing trips. Not only do they provide environmental benefits by not contributing to air pollution, they also make journeys more efficient, and present a much lower risk of danger to people walking and cycling than vans and HGVs. 

"I'm delighted that TfL is launching this action plan to explore how we can grow the use of cargo bikes on our road, to help both the environment and the health of Londoners, and build a better, safer, greener London for everyone." 

Christina Calderato, TfL's Director of Strategy and Policy, said: "Freight and servicing are the lifeblood of London's economy but also contribute to air pollution, carbon emissions and traffic congestion. We are determined to provide a green, healthy and sustainable future for all Londoners and cargo bikes can play a vital role in cutting carbon emissions, air pollution and road danger. We will continue to work closely with our industry partners, businesses and boroughs across the capital to make our vision for cleaner and safer freight a reality." 

Rob King, co-founder and CEO of Zedify, said: "Our research shows that cargo bikes can save over 90 per cent CO2 emissions per km compared to electric vehicles. With ecommerce growing, it's clear they have a serious role to play in decarbonising UK transport.  Cargo bike logistics has hit a vital stage of growth but it's still a young sector and we need to invest in the ecosystem with things like product development as well as finance and insurance options. This is why businesses like Zedify need to scale rapidly and deliver amazing co-benefits from better air quality, carbon reduction, and fair employment to safer, healthier cities that are better for everyone." 

Carl Lomas, Chairman of the Institute of Couriers, said: "Cargo Bikes are delivering an accelerating volume of clean air final mile to streets of London, delivering packets and parcels with zero emission." 

Beryl CEO and co-founder, Phil Ellis, said: "What we have learned from running e-cargo bike hire schemes in London is that they can be incredibly useful to many people, from businesses and tradesmen to families and individuals. 

"They're really unique in terms of offering a sustainable, fast and efficient way to shuttle goods across urban environments; making them perfect for a wide range of tasks from carrying tools and delivering packages to getting your shopping done. 

"They're also cost effective, removing many of the expenses associated with private vehicle ownership such as fuel, storage, tax, MOT and maintenance." 

Notes to editors

• The Cargo Bike Action Plan is available online at https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/freight?intcmp=8606 
• Beryl currently runs e-cargo bike hire schemes in Westminster and Hackney. The Westminster scheme comprises four e-cargo bikes and was launched yesterday (Wednesday 29 March) in partnership with Westminster City Council. The Hackney scheme comprises eight e-cargo bikes and launched in September 2021 in partnership with the Zero Emissions Network - a partnership between the London Boroughs of Hackney, Islington and Tower Hamlets, supported by the Mayor of London. When launched, the Hackney scheme became the UK's first e-cargo bike hire pilot