A cargo bike scheme has been launched in Bristol city centre to encourage businesses to stop using vans for local deliveries.
The scheme, started by the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) covering the city centre and Redcliffe & Temple areas, will provide subsidies to businesses that switch to using the bikes.
In most cases it is expected to be used for deliveries to offices of items such as toiletries, catering for lunches or supplies like tea and coffee.
In some cases the bikes could also be used for ‘outbound’ cargo, including coffee shops delivering catering or florists in the city centre.
As part of the scheme, the BIDs will offer guidance to help businesses find out how they can adopt sustainable practices for receiving and distributing goods.
The number of vehicles in the city centre have reduced since the closure of Bristol Bridge to traffic in 2020 and the introduction of the Clean Air Zone in November 2022. This has helped drive down accidents as well as improving air quality.
Now, the Bristol Cargo Bikes for Businesses scheme will help businesses contribute towards a more sustainable future.
This project is jointly funded by the BIDs and Bristol City Council, who are working with consultancy MP Smarter Travel to provide expert advice to businesses to help find the perfect cargo bike service to suit their business needs.
MP Smarter Travel has already helped introduce similar successful schemes in London Bridge, Hammersmith and Fulham, and in Brighton, where a range of businesses have been subsidised for participating in the schemes in those areas.
Bristol City Centre BID and Redcliffe & Temple BID project manager for public realm and sustainability Tom Swithinbank said: “Bristol Cargo Bikes for Businesses is an opportunity for us to provide a really user-friendly solution to sustainable transport for cargo.
“This service is available to our business community across all sectors in Bristol, helping to make our city a greener, more sustainable place for all.”
Head of Bristol City Centre BID Vicky Lee said: “Many businesses in the centre of Bristol have ambitious sustainability goals and we hope that this scheme gives them a leg up – or wheel up – to achieve these.
“This approach has been tried and tested by other cities in the UK with fantastic results so we are hoping for similar results in Bristol.”
Head of Redcliffe & Temple BID Steve Bluff said: “Sustainability is a huge part of our ethos, and we are always looking for new ways to help businesses go green.
“The Bristol Cargo Bikes for Businesses scheme is very easy to implement and a quick and effective way of reducing vehicle emissions in the city.”
