Transport for London (TfL) has announced the winners of its inaugural competition to find the best cargo bikes for sustainable business deliveries and family trips. The competition aims to raise the profile of cargo bikes, highlighting their benefits as a sustainable option for deliveries and an alternative to car journeys for families with young children.
TfL worked in partnership with manufacturers, distributors and stockists to host the competition, with awards handed out in two categories. Sixteen cargo bikes were put forward for judging by 10 manufacturers.
Eight judges – including London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner Will Norman and representatives from Mothercare, Sustrans, community cycling groups and family cycling bloggers – assessed each bike. Affordability, comfort, security, style, capacity and manoeuvrability were among the areas considered. Parents and children also assessed the bikes on a course at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Douze’s G4e bike won the Best Cargo Bike – Business category. Judges were particularly impressed with the model’s manoeuvrability and comfort and the bike also scored highly across the other judging criteria. Bicicapace Pelican and Harry Vs Larry Bullitt were also highly regarded in this category.
The Bakfiets Long won the Best Cargo Bike – Families category which assessed bikes which are suitable for carrying children. The bike scored highly for its affordability and judges were also impressed by the bike’s ease of use. Bicicapace Justlong and Bakfiets Short were also highly regarded in this category.
The two winners will receive an official endorsement from TfL for their marketing purposes for 12 months.
Motorised vehicles are a major contributor to London’s poor air quality and congestion, as well as the global climate crisis. The school run is a major source of traffic, congestion and air pollution, making up a quarter of weekday car trips in the morning peak. Meanwhile the number of freight vehicles on the capital’s streets has increased by 20 per cent since 2010 as the freight industry works to meet the demand caused by population growth and the growth in online deliveries.
Source and photo credits: TfL
