In a bid to combat pollution and promote environmentally friendly practices, businesses and organisations in Wembley and Brent are embracing the use of cargo bikes for deliveries.
The initiative, known as Brent’s Bikes for Business program, offers support and assistance to businesses looking to transition to greener transportation options.
To celebrate the launch of the program, a group of 24 cargo bike riders participated in a bike convoy, traversing from Kilburn to Wembley Stadium while enjoying the iconic landmarks of Brent.
Councillor Krupa Sheth, the Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure, and Climate Action at Brent Council, emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling the climate and ecological emergency. She stated, “We have been clear that tackling the climate and ecological emergency is not something that the council can achieve on its own. So I am delighted to see local businesses already swapping to greener forms of deliveries, and I am very excited to help more businesses make that transition.”
Highlighting the benefits of cargo bike deliveries, Cllr Sheth added, “This project is great because it is not only better for the environment, but it is also a positive for customers who want to keep their carbon footprint down. I encourage local businesses to get in touch and see if we can help them move towards cargo bike deliveries.”
One business that has already made the switch to cargo bike deliveries is Daisy Chain, a local florist near Willesden Green tube station. The manager, Heidi, shared her positive experience, saying, “Customers give a positive response at the door. We like to see ourselves as a business that is reducing emissions, and cargo bikes help us achieve that. Definitely swap to a cargo bike, go for it. There is flexibility there, it is reasonable, it is not expensive, it is the way forward.”
To assist businesses in their transition, Brent Council has partnered with MP Smarter Travel, which provides free advice and one-off subsidies. These subsidies, amounting to up to £1,000, can be utilized to switch to a third-party cargo bike delivery service or contribute towards the purchase of their own cargo bikes. The subsidies will be available until March 2024, and interested parties can find more information on the Brent Council website.
