Since 2019, Bikes for Business has been working with companies of all sizes across the Low Line in SE1, SE16 and SE17, to help make their collections and deliveries greener, as well as introducing them to cargo bike-based services. The project offers subsidies of up to £1,500 to eligible businesses to either purchase a cargo bike, or get up to 50% off a trial with a cargo bike courier or cargo bike service. With a network of independent cargo bike couriers across London, who are able to transport anything from recycling to food and from furniture to electrical equipment, the options are endless.
Law firm, Howard Kennedy, recently took part in Bikes for Business to find a cargo bike courier to deliver documents. We spoke with Simon Tudor, Document Services Manager, to find out more about their experience using a cargo bike courier.
Who is Howard Kennedy and what do you do?
We are a London based, full-service law firm, specialising in providing straightforward advice to entrepreneurial businesses and individuals on domestic and international matters, and are based in London Bridge with 450 partners and staff.
As part of our Responsible Business strategy, we’re committed to reducing our environmental impact. To achieve this, we need to work together with staff and suppliers alike to reduce our waste, energy use and carbon emissions.
How did you come across Bikes for Business?
Our Facilities Director, Alan Hutchinson created our Environmental Management System and achieved the ISO14001 certification in 2019. He has worked with Team London Bridge, a Business Improvement District (BID) – whose aim is to make London Bridge one of the most sustainable, culturally innovative and compelling places for business and tourism in the world – on environmental issues since we moved to the area eight years ago and was introduced to Bikes for Business by the BID.
Why did you take part in the project?
We had already been working with a courier who had both petrol vehicles and pedal bikes, for some time, which gave us the opportunity to select which type of vehicle we could use to reduce our impact on the environment. However, while we were reviewing the service, it turned out that a lot of the work that we’d booked to be delivered by bike had been done by van or motorbike, and the deliveries were often delayed due to traffic. In the legal profession, a lot of what we do is time-sensitive, so it’s imperative that documents are received on time and by sustainable means to fulfil our commitment to our clients and to reducing our emissions.
We wanted to use a cargo bike courier to continue our commitment to sustainability, which is a key part of our business. To us, being sustainable is part of being a responsible business. Although the bottom line is always important, we believe that the impact we have on our environment is too. This is why “Responsible Business” makes up one of Howard Kennedy’s six key pillars for growth over the coming years.
How were you previously having your items delivered?
A mix of cars, vans, pedal bikes and motorbikes, depending on the destination/time constraints. After discussing our requirements with the Bikes for Business team, we were introduced to Santis. Before committing to using their service, we met with them to discuss what they do and how they deliver their services for their clients. We decided to engage with them for a trial period, and it went so well that we have now made a permanent switch to using them.
How have you found using a cargo bike courier?
We’ve been really happy with the service from Santis. Currently, we use them on a regular basis and they’ve always been able to meet our requests. When we book a courier, we use a map that we have in the office which marks out all the areas that Santis can deliver to, which makes booking very easy. It’s a simple process, reduces our carbon emissions, and gets our important documents to where they need to be safely, securely and on time.
What advice would you give other businesses about using a cargo bike courier?
I would say ‘Just give it a go’. Generally, with cargo bike couriers you don’t have any obligation using them or a minimum monthly charge, particularly if you’re using them on an ad-hoc basis.
Cargo bike couriers are able to deliver far quicker than vans and you can always switch courier depending on what you need. Just give it a go!
Get in contact
If you’re based in SE1, SE16 or SE17 and would like to find out more about getting up to £1,500 in subsidies towards your own cargo bike or up to 50% off a trial with a cargo bike courier, contact our team today at bikesforbusiness@mpsmartertravel.co.uk or call us on 0207 960 2553. Alternatively, if you’d like to contact us to implement your own cargo bike project, contact us at info@mpsmartertravel.co.uk.