Raleigh Cargo Bikes
and The Food
Bank Alliance
Partnership

Raleigh Cargo Bikes and the Food Bank Alliance Partnership.

Despite several national lockdowns and travel restrictions, one (more positive) side effect of the pandemic is that cycling has increased - with 100% increase in weekday cycling and even up to 200% increase on weekends1. One major limiting factor that stems from this opportunity is the sustainability of the cycling boom. Without intervention and support it's likely that, when we return to 'normal' following the pandemic, people who have taken up cycling will likely slip back into old habits. Thankfully the Government have realised this and as such have started to act.

The Government recently released a 'Gear Change' policy1 which hopes to "make England a great walking and cycling nation". The policy aims to achieve this by setting out a series of actions grouped under the following themes:

  • Better streets for cycling and people

  • Cycling and walking at the heart of decision-making

  • Empowering and encouraging local authorities

  • Enabling people to cycle and protecting them when they do

The policy outlines £2-billion worth of funding for active travel, a sixfold increase in dedicated walking and cycling funding. But more importantly, the policy puts an emphasis on improved infrastructure, such as better streets and cycling networks. An area that is key to not only promoting cycling but sustaining the cycling boom, through safer and more accessible routes.

The policy states "To make England an active travel nation, we need to take action to tackle the main barriers. We need to attract people to active travel by building better quality infrastructure, making streets better for everyone, and we need to make sure people feel safe and confident cycling. To deliver this, we need to ensure active travel is embedded in wider policy making and want to encourage and empower local authorities to take bold decisions.1"

The Government envision cycling becoming a form of mass transit and it must be treated as such. Outlining the need for routes to be designed for larger numbers of cyclists, and for users of all abilities and disabilities. The key principles for these routes (outlined in the policy) are as follows:

  • Cyclists must be separated from volume traffic, both at junctions and on the stretches of road between them.

  • Cyclists must be separated from pedestrians.

  • Cyclists must be treated as vehicles, not pedestrians.

  • Routes must join together; isolated stretches of good provision are of little value.

  • Routes must feel direct, logical and be intuitively understandable by all road users.

  • Routes and schemes must take account of how users behave.

  • Purely cosmetic alterations should be avoided.

  • Barriers, such as chicane barriers and dismount signs, should be avoided.

  • Routes should be designed only by those who have experienced the road on a cycle.

This shows promising signs for the cycling industry, and active travel is now being seen as a mode of transport worthy of proper investment. As a result of the 'Gear Change' policy, the Government are now including bicycles as part of an effusion of green transport, which also includes electric cars, buses, and trains; with the intentions that "clean air will be to the 21st century what clean water was to the 19th." - something we feel is worthy of shouting about.

That’s where Cargo Bikes come in

As part of this funding, £2 million was set out for the introduction of cargo bikes and we are anticipating a further round of funding in early 2021. Since launching in September, Raleigh eCargo bikes have been trialled and tested with many businesses, local authorities, and charities.

Raleigh is delighted to be supporting Birmingham City Council and The Active Wellbeing Society, as well as the Food Bank Alliance in London, where the bikes will be used to make food bank deliveries to the most vulnerable members of the communities - all with zero emissions and virtually zero cost. Most recently we organised the loan of our sample eCargo Trike to the ARC Centre in Islington, London; where they use the trike for food parcel deliveries to 70 families, helping to feed 250 people. We couldn't be prouder of this partnership and can't wait to continue it and grow our support year on year.

What's so special about Cargo Bikes?

Cargo bikes typically carry loads of up to 250kg. Whilst this is less than the 600-1000kg load capacity of commercial vans they replace; cargo bikes bring with them the benefits of cycling as well as the key benefits of flexibility and sustainability.

Flexibility

The beauty of cycling for many is the freedom it brings, and for many inner-city cyclists this translates to being able to avoid being stuck in traffic - the same applies to cargo bikes. With the ability to use cycle routes, as well as being narrow enough to weave through the city when needed, cargo bikes have the benefit of being flexible when it comes delivery routes. Meaning the smaller carrying loads can be delivered far more efficiently and quickly in a city environment - something that's crucial when delivering food to 70 families, which will only be made easier and more efficient with increased infrastructure in place.

Sustainability

One major benefit of bikes in general is that they don't produce any emissions. No fuel tank (other than what's in the rider’s legs) means less pollution and a cleaner environment. eCargo bikes deliver the same great benefits, relying on a rechargeable battery to give the rider a little helping hand when it comes to carrying the loads. Not only are cargo bikes eco-friendly, delivering zero emissions, but they also have very low equivalent costs (around 10% of a van) meaning they're a far more sustainable option in terms of funding and operating for a small business or charity.

If you're interested in trialling the Raleigh eCargo bikes, please email b2b@raleigh.co.uk to find out more information.

Sources:

1 - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/904146/gear-change-a-bold-vision-for-cycling-and-walking.pdf

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