Cargo bikes are becoming a norm in London, enabling last mile delivery without emissions, while taking vans off the road. Sustainable logistics provider Delivery Mates alone delivered 2.5 million parcels by cargo bike in London last year, saving an estimated 130 tons of CO2 and 300,000 van miles.
To expand these positive effects, scalable solutions are required for delivering goods into the city centre before cargo bikes complete the last mile. One solution put forward by urban mobility and maritime expert Bjørn Utgård – who is working with Delivery Mates and other stakeholders along the Thames – is to use electric water shuttles to carry cargo into the city centre.
Replacing lorries with water shuttles
“Instead of using lorries we can use water shuttles that stop at multiple points along the river. Cargo bikes can do the last mile and then return to the pier,” Bjørn tells Zag Daily. “Unlike London’s congested roads, the River Thames enables timely delivery of parcels into the city centre, negating the need for buffering at micro hubs in the city centre.” The impact quickly adds up with one vessel replacing four lorries and serving up to 70 cargo bikes in one go.