Pedal power: the greener way to deliver parcels!
If you run a local business, considering bicycle delivery services (rather than big vans) to post parcels. One example is Three Bags Full (Bath).
It takes longer to post letters abroad, due to snow or mountains. In Chile, some letters take so long to get there due to the Andes, that people often just take the bus to deliver in person!
Velocity is a local bicycle courier for city deliveries. This is not just greener but also faster, as bikes can use dedicated cycle lanes, so don’t get stuck in traffic too much. And often cheaper, as you’re not paying for the rising cost of petrol!
In The Netherlands, Bikeshift is a major company that is always hiring local people to be bike couriers. To deliver everything from post to ready-meals to office parcels. They are well-paid jobs, with tips!
The benefits of delivering parcels by bicycle
As online shopping continues to grow, so does the number of parcels travelling through our towns and cities. While delivery services are convenient, vans making repeated short journeys can contribute to congestion, noise and air pollution.
Lower emissions
One of the biggest advantages of bicycle delivery is the potential to reduce transport emissions. Cargo bikes and bicycles don’t need petrol or diesel, making them a useful option for short-distance deliveries where a van isn’t necessary.
Less traffic congestion
Delivery vans can add to already busy roads, particularly in city centres where vehicles may have to stop frequently.
Bicycles and cargo bikes take up considerably less road space and can often navigate urban areas more easily. This can make them particularly practical for short, local deliveries.
Easier parking
Finding somewhere to park a delivery van can be difficult in busy towns and cities. Drivers may need to circle the area or stop temporarily in unsuitable locations.
A bicycle courier has a much easier time reaching destinations without needing a conventional parking space. This can make deliveries quicker and more convenient in densely populated areas.
Quieter deliveries
Bicycles produce very little noise compared with motor vehicles. This is particularly beneficial in residential neighbourhoods and pedestrian-friendly town centres.
For businesses making frequent local deliveries, reducing unnecessary vehicle noise can be another positive contribution to the local environment.
Healthier for couriers
Cycling is physical activity, so bicycle delivery can incorporate exercise into a courier’s working day. Of course, delivery cycling can also be physically demanding, particularly when carrying heavy loads or working long shifts, so appropriate equipment, training and working conditions are important.
Ideal for local deliveries
Bicycle parcel delivery isn’t suitable for every type of shipment. Large, heavy or long-distance parcels will generally require other forms of transport.
However, small parcels travelling relatively short distances can be excellent candidates for cycle delivery. Cargo bikes can also carry considerably more than a standard bicycle while remaining well suited to urban environments.
Supporting greener businesses
Businesses that choose bicycle couriers can demonstrate that they are thinking beyond the product itself. Customers increasingly consider how goods are packaged, transported and delivered, so offering lower-impact delivery options can complement wider sustainability efforts.
