Cargo Bikes

See also our e-bike page, with our Why E-bike? factsheet
For pictures of some spokes-supported cargobikes, see end of this page

Spokes Cargobike support grants

Spokes is keen to see more cargobikes in Edinburgh and the Lothians towns, to demonstrate that environmentally positive methods of distribution are possible – and are coming! Thanks to generous donations from our members we are pleased to offer grants to local community organisations towards the cost of purchasing a cargo bike.

Subsequently our initiative was spotted by a philanthropist who has gave us a substantial donation, enabling us to up the sums offered and also institute a one-off offer to Spokes members wanting a family cargobike.

Help publicise our grants for community groups by retweeting our tweet.

How to apply

Read our information sheet [pdf]
Complete the application form [rtf format, so it can be completed in most WP packages].
Email the completed form to spokes AT spokes.org.uk

Suggested artwork [pdf] for credit on cargobike. If used as a sticker, then, depending on desired final size, this can be printed on A4 adhesive vinyl to produce 2 stickers 216 wide by 102mm deep. High quality stickers for use on vehicles are available locally here… www.fhmcdsigns.co.uk/contact-us

Approved grants – see below for organisations and pictures

Cargobikes – background info, contacts, etc

European Cycle Logistics Federation eclf.bike
ECLF UK representative – Richard Armitage Email: richarda[AT]eclf.bike
[2018] Summary of UK cargobike initiatives by Richard Armitage
[2018] UK govt consultation on Last Mile Delivery
10 uses for a cargo-bike by @EdinburghBikes
Cargobike lockers [options with solar or green roof]

Spokes initiatives/articles related to cargobikes

[2019] Spokes Public Meeting, November 15 on cargo bikes and other forthcoming Edinburgh cycling innovations
[2019] Spokesworker 15.11.19 [page 2] Special cargobike grant offer to Spokes members, thanks to a large anonymous donation
[2018] Spokes Bulletin 131 announcing Spokes cargobike support (above) and our first grant offer – to the Hearty Squirrel food coop
[2017] Spokes Bulletin 129 with e-mobility feature [p6] including local cargobike suppliers & related contacts Tweet
[2017] Spokes response to Edinburgh Council EV consultation [pdf]. Subsequently Transport Committee [7.12.17] agrees that the EV strategy will be widened (report due late 2018) to become “a fully integrated e-mobility action plan prioritising a modal shift from car to other modes, consistent with the targets in the Local Transport Strategy.”
[2015] Spokes submission to Scottish Parliament re cargobikes

Approved grants for community groups

[2019] The Green Team £1500 An e-cargobike primarily to assist their Green Schools programme (so will get widespread attention)
[2019] Bikes for Refugees £500 An e-cargobike for travel to bike repair workshops, currently done by van and taxi.
[2018] Food Sharing Hub £500 for Tyred of Food Waste project to collect and distribute surplus food from supermarkets. BBC-TV video. Spokes tweet at opening event. Report on use of the cargobike after 6 months.
[2018] Hearty Squirrel food coop £500 – for food transport to stalls at Edinburgh University campuses and outside events.

Family cargobike Spokes offers

[2019] Spokes Summer Competition As one of the prizes, we offered £500 towards a family cargo bike. The prize went to Hazel Darwin.
[2019/2020] Thanks to a very large kind donation, we were able to offer support grants [page2] to Spokes members towards a family cargobike, and 3 families (all who applied) are being supported.

Spokes-supported cargo bikes, some pictures & user reports

2020: Lauren’s family Long Steps cargobike at Cramond [report]
2020: Lothian Cycle Training – returning from a Dr Bike session [report]	2020: Josie & family Urban Arrow cargobike [report]
2020: Joanna & Miles’s Christiana cargo bike [report]	2020: Veronica & Casey’s Urban Arrow cargobike [report]
2020: Green Team Nihola cargobike [report]	2020: Eddie & Vicki’s Helios tandem with cargo conversion kit fitted [report]
2019: Bikes for Refugees, urban arrow cargobike	2019: Hazel with Nihola family cargo trike
2018: Hearty Squirrel cargobike	2018: Food Sharing Hub… Urban Arrow cargobike