eLOV - Delivering Change On Two Wheels
Here at Spokesafe HQ, we believe the the humble bicycle should be normalised as the urban transport vehicle they really are, rather than the speed machines which they are commonly depicted as in the UK.
Which is why we've started a series we're calling #LifeOnABike, where we highlight some of the great work that normal people do while, you guessed it, on bikes. After our first chat with Aaron Fleming-Saheed, from Cycling Sparks, next up is Russell Hope from eLOV, the sustainable delivery business based in Macclesfield, Manchester and Wilmslow.
How long have you been using a cargo bike personally? And as a business?
"I've liked cargo bikes for a while since I lived in Amsterdam between '98-00. My first experience of ecargo bikes and starting eLOV was with our first bike the Riese & Muller Packster 60, 'Boxxy' bike. That was 2020, mid pandemic and we were using it to deliver refill shopping for Scoop and Scales out food cooperative in Macclesfield. Once others saw we were delivering for Scoop and Scales we were asked to deliver for them - things like veg boxes, coffee, beer and we're now in Buxton (over a little hill called the Cat and Fiddle) and Manchester."
What were you using before?
"Prior to cargo bikes the shopping was delivered using everyone's cars... it was the pandemic so everyone just mucked in. Since having bike deliveries it's given the riders a regular outlet for mental health and well-being and exercise as well as delivering in the most environmentally and infrastructure friendly way... with zero emissions."
What made you consider a cargo bike ahead of other vehicles?
"The really big push for cargo bike was litter. We've done a lot of litter picking support and fly-tipping cleanups. During lockdown for our regular exercise we walked in the Peak District and we stumbled across bin bags full of rubbish. Someone had collected the rubbish and left the bags there, presumably because their car was too far from the trail.
A cargo bike can access many places where a car struggles. A good example is our local food bank - deliveries into the town centre are much easier by cargo bike. Before that the volunteers would struggle carrying the food from car parks or even worse up 108 steps!
And now we are finding Manchester City Centre is easier and faster to navigate across by cargo bike (I've cycled and kick-scooted there for years already). We currently deliver all sorts; flowers, plants from Flourish , Doughnuts from DGHNT, spring water from Crag Spring water and Heart and Graft coffee. Although anyone can book us to colllect anything really.
As cities encourage moving away from car ownership, bikes, public transport and walking are the way forward. If you've bought something too big just contact your local cargo bike delivery business. "
This is ‘utopian logistics’ and not necessarily reality ‘today’. The 4 smaller dolls represent walking/scooting/cycling/cargobike respectively with a 5th doll of a cycle trailer (eg @carlacargo) , the largest Doll and maybe another one; cars, Vans and Lorries (also 🚝⛴✈️🚁🪁🎈) pic.twitter.com/zxlwAjwIiy
— elovuk (@elovuk) February 20, 2023
What’s the best thing about delivery by cargo bike?
"They are fun to ride, people are often intrigued by them and they avoid traffic and get around faster than cars in built up areas while still being limited to 15mph. There is an amazing community building around cargo bikes and those making use of them in business or personally have a mutual respect for each other.. we're all sharing a common goal... reducing unnecessary car and van journeys."
And the worst thing?
"There's not enough of them about - I believe there is a period in about 2 years where cargo bikes will become 'the norm'. People very rarely point and gasp when they see a van (perhaps a milk float maybe... we have one of those too!). But for cargo bikes it's often a jaw dropping moment. The size of them, and relative ease of riding thanks to the ebike technology (we have Shimano and Bosch), means this will change."
What advice would you give to others starting out?
"Consider how you might use the cargo bike and ask others who may already be using them. Aim to spend as much as you can afford and expect that it's going to be around 4-7k for a long john, more for a trike. Also consider other forms of cargo first - panniers, trailers could work. The bike is a versatile mode of transport and having a modular approach might make it more usable and easier to store for you.
Don't hold back, you will love and use it lots and if you don't they hold their value well (often long waiting lists for them). For young businesses check out scrapage schemes at your local authority and see if grants are available, there are incentives to get businesses on bikes and away from vans, especially in city centres. Your local town might have a cargo bike library, there are lots popping up. These are often subsidised and designed to get you on a cargo bike with minimal hesitation. And your local bike shop is your best friend, you might be lucky they may have a cargo bike or two in stock... they are big though so many bike shops struggle to hold stock as they take up too much room."
A big thank you to Russel for his time and for sharing his story. Russel's, and eLOV's, experience shows that while there are challenges to getting started with cargo bikes, the benefits can be very much worth it. Using a cargo bike doesn't have to define you - sometimes it just makes sense for your customers, your staff, and the planet.
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