A newly released University of Westminster report shows the precarious working conditions some cargo bike riders face, and the financial and operational challenges encountered by company managers and founders. In combination, these hinder the potential of this critically important sector in London and beyond. The research, funded by Impact on Urban Health, joins a growing body of evidence demonstrating the benefits of cargo bikes in reducing delivery times, traffic congestion, carbon emissions, air pollution and injury risk to other road users, compared to motorised vehicles.
As the cargo bike logistics sector expands, riders’ experiences and wellbeing must be carefully considered, so that sectoral growth corresponds with growth in good, green, gainful jobs. Existing research paints a picture of a wider logistics sector characterised by low-pay, precarious work, and poor working conditions. Recently, a new report has shown van drivers experience unhealthier and more precarious working conditions compared to cargo bike riders. This research builds on this, through a more in-depth engagement with the experiences of cargo bike riders, who are often overlooked in research, policy, and planning.
Through interviews with riders and managers from 15 different cargo bike companies, researchers at the University of Westminster found that despite a rhetorical commitment to being distinct from the gig economy, companies struggle to provide riders with secure work and pay reflective of the skills required for the job. Riders must also navigate a highly car-centric environment where they experience aggression from drivers who do not regard cargo bikes as legitimate road users. All of the female and nonbinary couriers interviewed recounted experiences of physical or sexual harassment whilst out on the road.
The researchers are calling for policymakers and the cargo bike companies to develop and implement an action plan around six key areas to improve working conditions for the sector:
Ensuring riders have access to good and fair employment. This includes paying them at least the London Living Wage, giving them access to paid sick leave regardless of contract type, and allowing trade unions to access workplaces to support riders.
Scaling up the cargo bike sector. This includes the formation of an industry alliance to advocate for collective goals, such as increasing the uptake of bikes for deliveries and investing in safer streets for cycling, and launching a public information campaign to promote bikes as a viable alternative to vans and cars, both for businesses and individuals.
Improving cycling infrastructure. This includes expanding the network of wide, segregated cycle lanes and creating couriers’ hubs that provide sheltered public space for riders to stop and rest between or during deliveries.
Improving health and safety. Central to this is providing adequate cycling infrastructures, but also taking seriously riders’ repeated reports of harassment and aggression by drivers. Firms should provide riders with fully functional bikes and access to regular mechanical checks for their vehicles. New riders should also be given road safety training and basic cycle maintenance training.
Adopting a clear Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) strategy to diversify the workforce at all levels, including management.
Improving internal communication and management practices to improve riders’ wellbeing, such as having clear guidelines defining suitable hours for communication and moving away from ‘personal’ communication platforms like WhatsApp.
Dr Ersilia Verlinghieri, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Westminster and Lead Researcher, said:
“Cargo bikes can provide a reliable alternative to van deliveries, and they contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and improving public space. But this sector can truly thrive only if it centres its growth on prioritising the health and wellbeing of its workers, rather than allowing commercial considerations to be the primary driver of decisions. Grounded in the lived experiences of cargo bike riders, our report highlights the improvements required for truly green and good growth in the sector.”
Charlie Couve, Research Associate at the University of Westminster, Co-researcher and Lead author of the report said:
“London’s cargo bike logistics sector is a very exciting space with lots of ambition and potential. I am pleased to share our research that offers a unique and comprehensive insight on experiences of working in the sector. As the sector grows there is an opportunity to create a model of employment that offers fair and fulfilling work to riders. This must be seized if we want to firmly position cargo bikes as the sustainable and equitable choice for urban logistics. I hope this research acts as a catalyst to start the improvements and innovations needed in the sector.”
Tiffany Lam, Co-lead researcher and Co-author of the report, said:
“Investment in active travel can create new green jobs, but it’s important that these jobs provide secure work and a living wage. I am delighted to share our research on working conditions in London’s cargo bike delivery sector and how to optimise workers’ health, safety and wellbeing. So far, cycling research, policy and campaigning have focused on cycling as a mode of transport, rather than cycling as labour. Our research shows that decarbonising transport and ensuring gainful, secure work are mutually reinforcing ways to tackle the climate emergency and create a fairer economy.”
James Cleeton, Sustrans London Director, said: “As this new research shows, the cargo cycle sector has a vital role to play in ensuring our logistics sector is clean, green and efficient. But as that sector grows, we need to ensure the conditions of everyone working in the sector are high quality. Safety is key, so providing more separated cycle tracks and low traffic neighbourhoods is important. But what this research also reveals is how creating a chain of ‘couriers’ hubs’ across London could support riders and the growth of the industry. These hubs would provide sheltered public space for cycle courier, whether on e-bikes, e-cargo bikes or push bikes, to stop and rest in between or during deliveries, so would make a big difference.”
Leigh Gravenor, Senior Consultant at MP Smarter Travel, said: “As a company committed to supporting the sustainable growth of the cargo bike industry through our various projects, MP Smarter Travel welcomes this invaluable and timely report. As cargo bikes increasingly become mainstream in freight and logistics, with companies like Amazon adopting them on a large scale, we need to ensure working practices promote fairness, inclusivity, and worker health and wellbeing”.
