Bristol businesses invited to cargo bike showcase highlighting city’s sustainable transport ambitions

Bristol businesses are being encouraged to take part in a new city-wide event celebrating the growing role of cargo bikes in sustainable business operations

Bristol Business Improvement District (BID) and Bristol City Council are bringing businesses together for a free dedicated day of activity on Thursday 2 July. The event will showcase how Bristol businesses are already using cargo bikes to reduce congestion, improve air quality and support the city’s wider sustainability ambitions, while offering practical advice and support for organisations looking to follow suit.

The event will offer opportunities for networking, viewing various types of cargo bikes, hearing about financial offers and support from Bristol City Council and the option to visit Bristol’s new consolidation hub; the first of three planned for the city.

Businesses, especially hospitality, catering and craftspeople in Bristol are encouraged to join, to explore how cargo bikes are already being used to improve delivery operations, reduce costs and navigate busy urban environments more efficiently in the city. Businesses will learn about the support and grant opportunities available from the Council to enable more businesses to start using cargo bikes.

The initiative will showcase the environmental and operational benefits while connecting businesses with suppliers, operators and support available across the sector.

Book your place

The day will begin with a group ride through Bristol city centre starting from Lloyds Amphitheatre at 10.30am. Businesses currently using cargo bikes are invited to take part with the opportunity to showcase their bikes in action alongside other operators, all captured by a professional photographer and videographer. Find out more and join the ride here.

The ride will be followed by Cargo Bikes for Business: The Opportunity for Bristol, a free business-focused information event at Creative Youth Network from 12pm to 2pm. Designed to bring businesses and the cargo bike industry together, the session will explore how organisations of all sizes are successfully integrating cargo bikes into their operations to reduce costs, improve efficiency and support sustainability goals. As part of this interactive event, manufacturers and cargo bike users will exhibit their products and services to the business community with exhibiting free of charge to all businesses; already confirmed exhibitors include Minimal, CityQ and Slant.

This event forms part of Bristol BID’s Cargo Bikes for Business Programme to help organisations adopt more sustainable ways of moving goods and services around the city. The initiative has already supported businesses in exploring how cargo bikes can be integrated into their operations to save time and money, reduce congestion and improve air quality. Through the programme, businesses have been able to access subsidies to support cargo bike adoption, alongside free consultancy to help assess how cargo bikes could be integrated into their supply chains. The initiative aims to help businesses save time and money while reducing carbon emissions, improving local air quality and easing congestion across Bristol.

As demand grows for cleaner, more efficient ways of operating in urban environments, cargo bikes are becoming an increasingly popular solution for businesses across a range of sectors. From deliveries and logistics to maintenance and professional services, organisations are using cargo bikes to reduce vehicle journeys, ease congestion and support sustainability goals without compromising productivity.

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Tom Swithinbank, Senior Project Manager at Bristol BID, said:

"Since launching Cargo Bikes for Business, we've seen growing interest from organisations looking for practical ways to reduce emissions while maintaining efficient and cost-effective operations. Businesses across Bristol are already demonstrating how cargo bikes can support everything from deliveries and logistics to day-to-day services, and we're keen to help even more organisations explore the opportunities available. This double event line up is an opportunity to celebrate the businesses already leading the way, share practical insights and showcase how cargo bikes can help organisations operate more sustainably while supporting a cleaner, less congested city."

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Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee adds:

“We have a range of support available to enable businesses to make and receive deliveries in the cleanest and greenest way possible, without sacrificing profits. Businesses and organisations in Bristol are beating traffic and saving fuel through cargo bikes, and our new freight consolidation hubs will increase these benefits further. The event is a great opportunity to hear first-hand from businesses using cargo bikes and learn about the support available to help you transition from van to bike.”

Image credit: Pedal Collective and Priority Express