Cargo Bikes United In New Cycle Logistics Federation

This weekend, over 30 cycle transportation and delivery companies from across Europe met in Cambridge, UK, to establish the European Cycle Logistics Federation. The group’s purpose: to discuss possibilities for improving urban delivery and act as a lobby group to promote cycle-based delivery solutions.

“As a group we will be able to influence and convince stakeholders that freight bikes are a feasible option for delivering cargo in congested inner city areas,” said Rob King, founder of Cambridge-based bike delivery company Outspoken Delivery. Freight bikes, or cargo bikes, are essentially human pedal-powered vehicles used to transport goods, such as food, mail, furniture and even kids, around town.

At the event, members of the newly formed Federation exchanged knowledge and shared experience about how cargo bicycles can reshape urban logistics. Companies gave examples of how they utilize cargo bikes to move goods of different shapes and sizes, regularly transporting payloads upwards of 570 pounds.

At present, nearly all deliveries in Europe are made by motorized vehicles. Recent research, however, has demonstrated 25 percent of all goods, and 50 percent of all light goods, could be moved by cargo bike.

Why should businesses consider using cargo bikes to move merchandise from point A to point B? Cargo bikes are quick, economical and reliable. Matthew Linnecar, CEO of London delivery company Gnewt Cargo, elaborates, “We very rarely fail a delivery. We’re on time 99.99% of the time.” In addition, cargo bikes offer an environmentally sound solution to the problem of moving an increasing amount of goods in our already congested city centers.

The impact of using cycle delivery companies for the last mile is resoundingly positive. Cycle delivery takes vehicles off the road, increasing air quality and reducing congestion. “More cargo bikes delivering goods means less trucks in city centers and safer, livable streets for people,” said King.

The Federation will continue to meet regularly to examine how to shift the transportation of more goods from trucks to bicycles.

Find out more about the European Cycle Logistics Federation at ecf.com