Using a cargo bike in Westminster

What is a cargo bike?

Cargo bikes are cycles that have been designed to carry bulky, heavy items or passengers.

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There is a wide range of models, with two, three, or even four wheels, with a loading box or flatbed bay in the front or at the rear. Some types come with a battery-powered motor that assists pedalling when carrying heavier loads and to get up steep hills.

A growing number of businesses and households in London and around the country have successfully switched all or some of their trips and deliveries from a car or van to a cargo bike. This reduces their carbon footprint, improves air quality, reduces noise pollution, and, for the person riding, provides an opportunity to fit physical exercise into an existing daily routine.

Using a cargo bike instead of a motor vehicle also allows the rider to use cycle lanes, saving time. The cost of hiring, owning, or running an electric cargo bike is much lower than the cost of fuelling, parking and maintaining a motor vehicle.

Businesses that have made this transition have been large and small, covering various sectors and trades, from large courier companies to local plumbers and major supermarket chains.

Families typically use their cargo bikes for the school run, but they can also replace a motor vehicle in urban areas and include trips to the local parks, playgrounds, and grocery runs.

Read a list of FAQs about using a cargo bike.

What we are doing to support the use of cargo bikes

The Zero Emissions Network (ZEN) is an award-winning air quality business liaison initiative. Residents and businesses in Westminster can now benefit from the network since it was extended to Westminster in April 2024. It's free to join and has plenty of free advice and services to switch to low-emission transport, including cargo bikes, with the goal of making Westminster a better place to live, work and visit. Find out more about ZEN on their website.

We set up a micro-logistics hub in Pimlico in partnership with Cross River Partnership and cargo bike logistic operator Delivery Mates. Based in the Q-Park car park on Cambridge Street, this consolidation hub uses cargo bikes for last mile deliveries. Read the report.

Both projects are underpinned by our Freight, Services and Delivery Strategy and Active Travel and Sustainable Transport priorities.

Our cycle training offer includes free cargo bike training.

We're proud to be one of the first Local Authorities paving the way for more businesses and residents to have access to cargo bikes, and we've signed up to the Cargo Bike Charter.

Meet Cargo Bike business owners.

Further cargo bike resources.

For any enquiries about cargo bikes, please get in touch at [email protected]