The landscape of transport in London is changing. As one walks around, we see growing numbers of both commuting bikes and electric cargo bikes travelling through the city, with the beautifully diverse cargo bike brandings adding colour and vibrancy to the streets.
It is catching on that cycling is the most efficient, sustainable and cost-effective way to move goods and passengers around a congested city centre. Even motorists themselves are becoming frustrated as they watch cyclists repeatedly beat them on journey times whilst they sit stuck in endless traffic.
Many forward-thinking companies have realised the benefits of cargo bike deliveries and are opting for this method to transport their goods. A recent study showed that electric cargo bikes deliver around 60% faster than vans in city centres, with the bikes dropping off 10 parcels an hour, and vans only 6.
In addition to this, cargo bike delivery avoids parking restrictions and has the added benefit that the bikes are cheaper to buy, insure and repair than vans.
Ecofleet mindful delivery was founded in 2019, a sustainable mindful delivery service operating in London using electric cargo bikes. The ethos centres around the affordable, competitive, first-class and professional delivery service while reducing air pollution as a replacement to diesel vans and lorries.
Being very technology-focused, all bikes will soon have IoT sensors and cameras installed to further enhance efficiency and quality of service.
This is in an exciting time for electric cargo bike deliveries as the urgency to cut carbon emissions rises.
The latest report from the UN’s International Panel on Climate Change has consolidated the link between human activity and global warming and warned that even with rapid emission cuts, global temperatures are likely to rise until at least 2050.
In London, poor air quality is the major way in which we see the impacts of human activity on the environment.
Toxic air leads to around 40,000 deaths in the UK annually, with 9,000 of these deaths occurring in London alone. As more than 50% of air pollution is caused by road vehicles, one can be optimistic that the use of electric cargo bikes will continue to grow over the next few years.
With 4 million parcels being delivered daily in London, and an expected growth in urban last-mile delivery of 78% by 2030, it is crucial that this industry becomes zero-emission to avert further destruction of our planet.
The rising acceptance of this sustainable mode of transport has been supported by the mayor of London and the government’s dedication to creating new cycle infrastructure. Since May 2016, 260 kilometres of high-quality cycle routes have been established in London, massively aiding the transition from van to cargo bike deliveries.
This increase in feasibility, alongside the recent Energy Savings Trust grant announced for purchasing eCargo bikes, provides an exciting opportunity for new companies to enter the industry and create their own cargo bike fleet. Any small difference that we can make towards eliminating pollution and congestion is worthwhile and will have a positive impact on the quality of life for all UK citizens.
For more information on ecofleet we invite readers to contact us through the website www.ecofleet.co.uk