An initiative that offers electric cargo bike deliveries for businesses has been extended until February 2025 – following a successful 6-month period.
In March 2024, Oxford City Council and Velocity Cycle Couriers launched a 12-week partnership offering free same-day and next-day zero-emission deliveries by electric cargo bike for Oxford businesses to destinations within the ring road.
The initiative was then extended until 31 August 2024 – and now has been further extended until 28 February 2025.
In the six months since its launch, the initiative has made around 1100 deliveries within the Oxford ring road covering approximately 3094 miles, and has saved an estimated 813.5 tons of carbon.
Deliveries are carried out by a Velocity rider using one of the dedicated Covered Market e-cargo bikes supported by Velocity’s fleet of e-cargo bikes.
Changes to partnership
For the past six months, the Council has used grant funding it had received to improve air quality, to subsidise 100% of the cost of the deliveries made using the electric cargo bikes.
When reviewing the extension of the partnership, the Council assessed the number of deliveries, and also engaged with participating businesses for their feedback.
It was really clear that there was significant support to extend the initiative for a further six months, during which the Council will be reducing its subsidy to 50% of each delivery fee – with participating businesses to pay the remaining cost. This subsidy allows the partnership to continue for as long as possible, enabling businesses to explore zero emission deliveries for longer.
The extended initiative will also offer deliveries outside of the ring road, with Velocity charging an additional fee per mile for deliveries made outside of the ring road.
Supporting zero emission deliveries
The transport sector is the largest contributor of NOX emissions in the city, accounting for 68% of emissions in Oxford.
This electric cargo bike partnership aims to support businesses as they explore how they can move towards zero-emission deliveries.
Businesses that want to take part in the extended partnership can contact Velocity at hello@velocitycc.co.uk or by calling Velocity on 01865 249 854.
Anna Railton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford, Oxford City Council said:
“It is fantastic that we are able to extend the Velocity electric cargo bike delivery service for a further six months. The trial has been a success so far and I am pleased that we are able to support Oxford’s businesses with exploring cargo bike deliveries.”
Jake Swinhoe, Director, Velocity Cycle Couriers, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to agree an extension to the OCC project that will continue to support city centre traders with their distribution of goods. The transition to a sustainable transport network can be a complex topic but finding viable solutions needs strong partnerships - working with so many amazing local businesses coupled with the enthusiasm and support of the City Council feels like a very positive movement.
At Velocity we are looking forward to further expansion as more journeys on cargo bikes rather than in diesel vans makes for less congestion and cleaner air in our city.”
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