How the pandemic is fuelling a boom in bike delivery

Pedal power is cheaper, more reliable and produces much less pollution. Here, Isabella Kaminski speaks to businesses at the forefront of a delivery revolution

Geography is not necessarily a barrier for human-powered transport (Beate Kubitz)

Calder Cheesehouse in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, sells cheeses that have travelled by car, van and lorry all across the UK and Europe, but the last leg of their journeys to customers takes place on two wheels.

During the spring lockdown, business owner Jay Hickson set up a website to take orders and staff began delivering to nearby customers on their own bicycles. The company soon registered with Cargodale, a local bike delivery firm set up during the pandemic, which meant it could send bigger orders further afield. “Whereas we were reliant on backpacks and panniers, Cargodale has decent electric cargo bikes that can hold up to 100kg of stuff,” he said.

Hickson says the move was good for business. “In the first half of the year, when lockdown hit quite intensely, we were doing a lot of deliveries. It’s faded off a bit but we still use them many times a week. We’re already getting a lot of local cheese selection orders in for Christmas.”