London Assembly urges Sadiq Khan to increase funding for cargo bikes in London

The London Assembly has urged Sadiq Khan to provide further funding to London Boroughs for cargo bike sharing schemes and cargo bike training. 

Following a report carried out into how businesses can be incentivised into moving away from diesel vans ahead of the expansion of ULEZ, the committee found that cargo bikes are a more affordable way of replacing diesel vans than electric vans. 

Cargo bikes can range between two- or three-wheeled bikes with trailers and storage boxes either in front or behind them and can be used for deliveries. 

The bikes cost up to £12,500, compared to a minimum of £24,000 for an electric van, making them a far more affordable option for when ULEZ encompasses all of London from August. 

The Committee is urging TfL to consider increasing the scheme to incentivise more businesses to switch to cargo bikes once the current funding runs out, as well as raising awareness among different types of businesses to incentivise them to purchase a cargo bike using the scheme. 

At present, freight vehicles account for 17% of miles drive in London but make up a quarter of total carbon emissions from transport and around a third of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from road transport. 

The committee has made several recommendations, including Khan provides further funding for cargo bike sharing schemes; businesses which use a cargo bike should be given a quality mark as an incentive; and Khan should lobby the government to introduce a further round of funding for local authorities to procure e-cargo bikes.