ULEZ scrappage scheme to include cargo bike trade in?

London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) scrappage scheme looks set to have an element that encourages the trade in of polluting vehicles in favour of cargo bikes.

On Wednesday the Economy Committee met with the meeting agenda presenting a business case for a shift to cargo bikes. Part way through Walking and Cycling Commissioner Will Norman stated that, as part of the new £110 million ULEZ Scrappage scheme an incentive would be presented to encourage modal shift away from cars onto the cargo ready bikes.

Watching the Committee session, Fare City recapped some of the evidence given, including hearing Eva Neitzert of Just Economics revealing a calculation that cargo bikes are costing just £0.026 pence per mile to run, versus £0.66 pence for a van.

They are also revealed to be as much as 67 times less damaging to the environment. Earlier today CI.N published a Green Alliance report that calculated that by replacing just 7.5% of the UK’s diesel vans the emissions saving could surpass that of cancelling the annual domestic aviation carbon output.

In the room was London cycle logistics business PedalMe, which has racked up astonishing growth since it tilted its business from people carriage more toward parcel delivery. Chris Dixon presented some of the company’s understanding of using cargo bikes over vans, pointing to predictability of service being particularly useful to any business with perishable goods, as well as high density jobs.

CyclingSparks, an electricians’ business that utilises cargo bikes for moving between jobs in London also shared a personal take on how adoption could accelerate. The answer, he said, is the current lack of subsidies offer for light electric vehicles, as well as suitable insurance products covering this vehicle choice.

No specific detail is yet present on TfL’s page where the scrappage scheme is detailed, but further information is expected by January 30th, 2023.