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25 Jun 2025

The E-Bike Positive campaign has seen major success in the first half of 2025, with its message reaching nearly 8 million people across the UK through high-profile media coverage and growing...

20 Jun 2025

The House of Commons Business and Trade Committee has asked the ACT, and its parent company Bira, to help them reach out to small business retailers across the country, for their quick input on...

20 Jun 2025

Activate Cycle Academy has reopened its Cytech training facility in Darlington, offering a full range of courses from Home Mechanic up to Cytech Technical Three.
 

18 Jun 2025

The Association of Cycle Traders believes the time has come for greater accountability throughout our supply chain, writes ACT Director Jonathan Harrison in an article published for BikeBiz.

16 Jun 2025

The ACT has welcomed the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking's report "Unregulated and Unsafe: The Threat of Illegal E-Bikes", which calls for urgent Government action to...

11 Jun 2025

A new academic study has found that overzealous pro-cycling campaigners on social media may be inadvertently damaging the case for better cycling infrastructure across the UK.

11 Jun 2025

Bira has welcomed the Welsh Government's consultation on business rate reforms for retail shops, whilst calling for significant improvements to ensure the proposals truly support high street...

10 Jun 2025

Bike thefts across England and Wales have continued their steady decline, according to new data released by cycle insurance specialist Bikmo.

9 Jun 2025

Retailers on Britain's high streets are being encouraged to put themselves forward for the first-ever Love Your High Street Awards, designed to celebrate the small businesses that bring...

9 Jun 2025

 To coincide with Bike Week (9-15 June) – the UK’s annual celebration of cycling – new research has revealed a clear shift amongst Gen Z and Millennials in their approach...

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TfL claims cargo bikes could replace 1/6 of van deliveries in central London

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

A sixth of deliveries in central London could be done by cargo bike by 2030, according to Transport for London.

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As reported by the London Evening Standard, TfL’s first cargo bike action plan sets out how it plans to work with local authorities and the freight sector to promote firms to switch from vans to the purpose-built bikes and cut emissions.

The idea is for the bikes, which are fitted with electric “pedal assist” devices, to be used for “final mile” deliveries to shops and homes.

They are likely to be quicker in congested areas than vehicles and can prove particularly useful in preventing the growth of online shopping resulting in more vehicle emissions that damage the environment. Some 26% of UK retail sales were made online last year.

Will Norman, London’s 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.”

The action plan, launched at the National Cargo Bike Summit, suggests that cargo bikes could replace up to 17% of van kilometres in central London by the end of the decade.

At present, e-cargo bikes account for 6% of delivery mileage in central London. But the plan warned: “Businesses unfamiliar with cargo bikes will need to be convinced that they are suitable, viable in the long-term and can meet their service needs.”

The plan recommends:

* Developing a London safety standard for cargo bikes
* Building “micro-hubs” and parking for the bikes
* Monitoring key cargo bike routes
* Ensuring capacity for cargo bikes when designing future TfL cycle schemes
* Promoting cargo bikes alongside low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) and other schemes to tackle pollution
* Helping businesses to switch to cargo bikes

On safety, the action plan states: “Cargo bikes need to be operated in a safe and considerate way. They are larger and heavier than other cycles and riders require additional skills.

“Concerns about the personal safety of the rider, for example secluded areas, poor lighting, and antisocial behaviour present barriers, especially for female riders. Aggressive and close passing by motorists on roads is another concern.”

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