Richmond upon Thames is set to trial a modified bike hangar that can accommodate one cargo bike and two standard bicycles, as part of a broader effort to promote the use of cargo bikes in the borough. The council is also investigating options for local waste and recycling collection using cargo bikes, potentially delivering waste to a local consolidating hub to reduce van and lorry trips.
The Transport and Air Quality Committee reviewed cargo bike initiatives at their meeting on Monday, noting the progress being made in encouraging greater use of cargo bikes. The council has been working to promote cargo bikes as a sustainable transportation option for residents and businesses. Cargo bikes are exempt from parking charges, the congestion charge and the ULEZ charge.
Initiatives include:
- Our Bike community cargo bike scheme: Launched in May 2022, this scheme currently has 10 cargo bikes serving various locations in the borough. The committee agreed to expand the scheme to include non-standard cycles or mobility scooter bikes. It is proposed to increase the Our Bike fleet by five bikes from April 2025, concentrating on community and school locations. Officers are exploring expanding the scheme to areas that could benefit, especially North Barnes, where the Hammersmith Bridge closure has made it difficult for residents to reach amenities.
- Try Before You Bike scheme: This scheme enables residents, workers, and students in the borough to hire a bike or cargo bike with the option to buy it at the end of the rental period. The committee agreed to a new Try Before You Bike scheme once the current cap is reached.
- Good Move scheme: This scheme offers discounted bikes and cargo bikes, free car club memberships, free bikehangar membership, and free Lime bikes and e-scooter vouchers to residents who dispose of or replace their non-ULEZ compliant vehicles. All 20 cargo bike vouchers which were made available as part of the scheme have been successfully distributed and used between May and October 2025.
- Cargo bike parking bays: The council introduced four cargo bike parking bays in September 2024 and extended the programme in October 2025 with six additional bays. The committee agreed to expand the cargo bike parking bays programme to include town centres, schools, nurseries and other destinations.
- Household parking for cargo bikes: A modified bike hangar which can accommodate one cargo bike and two standard bicycles is now ready to be trialled.
- Cargo bike events: Following the highly successful Cargo Bike Fair in June 2025, officers are working to establish the event as an annual celebration. The committee agreed to a Cargo Bike Fair for 2026.
- Supporting proficiency and maintenance of cargo bikes: The council's cycling instructors now provide bike proficiency lessons for prospective cargo bike owners. The committee agreed to improvements for cargo bike users along quiet routes and supports investigations into local commercial delivery/waste consolidation.
The committee also heard that officers are working to increase the number of reservations of the borough's community cargo bikes by 20% between September 2025 and August 2026.
To improve connectivity along quiet routes for cargo bike users, the council plans to introduce dropped kerbs, reposition bollards, and remove railings. These changes aim to open up alternative routes for users who are not comfortable riding on main roads during busy times, such as school drop-off and pick-up hours. Officers are exploring the feasibility of minor improvements at locations highlighted by users during the Cargo Bike Fair CargoBikesPaperNov25final.
Officers are also investigating options for local waste/recycling collection utilising cargo bikes delivering waste to a local consolidating hub. This could potentially remove many van and lorries trips, improving business waste management, air quality and the shopping experience for customers. Officers plan to continue these investigations with colleagues across the Council, including identifying potential space which could accommodate a consolidation point serving businesses in the borough.