Bikes for Business scheme to get London firms using cargo bikes

A new scheme to get 15 per cent of all businesses to switch central London deliveries to cargo bikes launches today in London Bridge, ahead of the introduction of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) on April 8.

Backed by TFL, Bikes for Business will target 60 businesses in London Bridge to ensure they are prepared for the introduction of the new low emission zones and to help the Mayor of London hit ambitious targets to reduce the number of vans and lorries in central London by 10 per cent by 2026.
 
The adoption of cargo bikes could also bring significant benefits to London as a city: 9,400 premature deaths in London are estimated to come from long term exposure to PM2.5 and NOx, so if successfully rolled out across the city taking up cargo bike deliveries could save between 300-450 lives per year.

Replacing 15 per cent of LGV deliveries with Cargo Bikes in Central London would remove 28,750 LGV journeys form the streets, meaning a reduction of 16.2km (million) travelled by LGVs.

The cost to London economy of congestion caused by incidents resulting from driver behaviours estimated to be £137m in 2016, of which over half (52%) was estimated to be from freight vehicles. The London economy could save in the region of £10m per year if all areas followed the lead of London Bridge.
 
Businesses can pay less by switching from diesel to pedal powered providers who will be exempt from new ULEZ charges after 8th April. Team London Bridge is calling for businesses to reduce air pollution, and fully harness the substantial commercial opportunities on offer, such as pioneering delivery solutions to future proof your business model and giving the choice of zero emission deliveries at check out online.
 
Commenting ahead of the launch Chief Executive of Team London Bridge, Nadia Broccardo, said: “As the Business Improvement District for London Bridge, Team London Bridge is committed to getting business to switch to cargo bikes. The introduction of ULEZ on 8th April and our Bikes for Business subsidy is a real opportunity to rethink how best to move freight over short distances in the capital.  From groceries to medical supplies, cargo bikes can help businesses cut costs and journey times, as well as pollution that is blighting life in London.”
 
David Lawson, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, said: “At Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, we need to ensure critical deliveries every day across our central London hospital and community sites. With a cycle path on our doorstep, we are looking to trial cargo bikes in partnership with our pathology provider, Viapath. This is part of a wider consolidation strategy to design out 90% of freight deliveries into the Trust to improve air quality across the communities that we serve.”
 
Sam Keam, co-founder, Zedify, Cargobike operator with eight depots in seven cities across the UK said:
“Cycle logistics is expanding rapidly as the technology matures, and businesses no longer want or need to use polluting motor vehicles in central London for their deliveries. There is also an expectation from the public to see meaningful action on air pollution and we deliver on that.”
 
Lilli Matson, TfL’s Director of Transport Strategy, said: “We’re working closely with businesses and business groups such as Team London Bridge to encourage people to think about cleaner, safer and more efficient ways of moving goods. Cargo bikes have real potential to help clean up London’s toxic air and it’s fantastic to see Team London Bridge’s bold ambitions for cycle freight ahead of the launch of our Ultra Low Emission Zone later this month. We’re investing in schemes such as this right across London as work towards the Mayor’s ambitious targets for reducing the numbers of vans and lorries entering central London by ten per cent over the next six years.”