Bristol Cargo Bikes for Business
Bristol BID is championing sustainable solutions to freight delivery with grants available for businesses making the switch
Date
July 2026 - Present
Tom Swithinbank
Senior Project Manager
Cargo bikes offer a cleaner, more sustainable way to move goods and services around the city. We’re supporting businesses to explore how they could work as part of their day-to-day operations.
As an efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional vehicle deliveries, cargo bikes can help businesses reduce congestion, cut emissions and navigate the city more easily.
Financial support is now available through Bristol City Council to help businesses make the switch.
Why cargo bikes?
Cargo bikes produce no tailpipe emissions in use, and produce vastly less lifecycle emissions (from production, etc) than even electric vehicles. They also help reduce congestion, improve local air quality, and reduce noise pollution.
Cargo bikes can help save businesses time by beating city traffic, by using cycle infrastructure, bus gates and traffic filters. They’re also cheaper to buy, fuel, insure and maintain. Additionally, using a cargo bike adds physical activity to the working day, helping improve staff physical and mental health. And they’re fun to ride!
Read the employers guide to cargo bikes
Find out more about the West of England Combined Authorities’ support
Funding and support
Businesses can access grant funding from Bristol City Council covering 50% of the cost of a new cargo bike or facilities that enable cargo bike use.
The support is designed to help businesses overcome the upfront cost of switching and explore whether cargo bikes could work for their day-to-day operations.
Bristol City Council also offers opportunities for businesses to trial cargo bikes before making the switch.
Working with cargo bike suppliers
Cargo bikes are already being used by businesses across Bristol to deliver everything from parcels and products to food and drink.
For businesses looking to work with suppliers who use cargo bikes, we are developing a directory of local businesses and providers already using cargo bikes as part of their operations, including bakeries and coffee suppliers.
Cargo Bikes for Business Celebration
In July 2026, Bristol BID hosted the city’s first Cargo Bikes for Business event.
The event began with a group ride through Bristol to celebrate the businesses already using cargo bikes, before businesses, manufacturers and delivery operators came together at Creative Youth Network to share practical experience and explore opportunities for wider adoption.
The event brought together local businesses alongside major national operators including Amazon, Evri and Royal Mail, as well as cargo bike manufacturers Minimal and Slant. Businesses also heard from existing cargo bike users, including Bristol café group Spicer & Cole, about the role cargo bikes can play in daily operations.
The event also explored the future of sustainable freight in Bristol, including the role of freight consolidation hubs and the opportunities for businesses and operators to work together.
What’s next?
Bristol BID is continuing to work with Bristol City Council, the West of England Combined Authority and businesses across the city to support the wider adoption of cargo bikes.
Bristol City Council is developing a network of freight consolidation hubs, with the city’s second and third hubs planned for summer 2027. These hubs will support a more efficient approach to deliveries by allowing goods to be consolidated before being transferred to lower-emission vehicles for the final stage of their journey.
Bristol City Council is also engaging with major operators including Amazon, Evri and Royal Mail to encourage the expansion of cargo bike operations in Bristol.
Following the success of our first event, we are planning another Cargo Bikes for Business ride and event for summer 2027.
Get involved
Whether you’re interested in buying or trialling a cargo bike, looking for funding or exploring how cargo bikes could work for your business, support is available.
To arrange a meeting to discuss Bristol City Council’s support for the industry, contact transport.engagement@bristol.gov.uk.
Bristol BID previously offered grants to support businesses switching to sustainable delivery methods. These grants were available in 2024 and have now been replaced by Bristol City Council’s cargo bike grant funding.
Latest news
Catch up on the latest cargo bikes news
