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CARGO BIKES & CYCLE LOGISTICS
The Bicycle Association considers cargo bikes and cycle logistics (the movement of goods and people by cycle) strategically vital sectors for the future of our cities as we move to decarbonising transport and improving urban quality of life.
As an initiative to help professionalise the cargo bike logistics sector, the Bicycle Association has developed a national standard for cargo bike rider training, and UK Codes of Conduct for operators and riders. This was drafted by a core group of industry professionals and then refined in a year-long consultation process with input from multiple stakeholders.
The aim is to ensure a level of behaviour and professionalism in the public realm which will enable cycle logistics (deliveries by cargo cycle) to fulfil its full potential as a significant mode of transport of goods, especially in cities, to help meet decarbonisation, congestion reduction and air quality objectives.
These documents are intended to be used:
We have a longer-term aspiration that these documents will in future form the basis of National Standards which underpin a formal cycle logistics rider qualification and training scheme, similar to that currently operated by Bikeability for child and adult cycling skills.
Your feedback on these documents and their application is welcome: please just contact us.
In the UK cargo cycles and e-cycles are treated in law as ‘not motor vehicles’ only if they are either propelled purely by the rider’s pedal power or if they meet the clear criteria for Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs) – including max continuous rated motor power of 250W, motor assist cuts out at 15.5 mph, and (unless type approved) the rider must be pedalling for the motor to assist at above 6 km/h.
Not being treated as motor vehicles means that cargo bikes and e-bikes can use cycle lanes, and no DVLA registration, mandatory insurance, driving licence etc. requirements apply, although for e-bikes, the rider must be over 14. Wearing a helmet is not mandatory. All Highway Code provisions for cycles apply to cargo bikes and e-bikes.
If used at night, cargo cycles (and trailers, if used) must also comply with UK lighting requirements.
Some regulatory ‘edge cases’ such as electric-assisted cargo cycles where the 250W is split across multiple motors, vehicles with “digital drive” or series hybrid technology, and electric-assisted trailers, are discussed in the BA Guide to e-bike regulations.
All cargo cycles and trailers must also comply with UK product safety legislation. The Bicycle Association has summarised the full list of product related legislation applicable to e-bikes, including e-cargo bikes.
Evidencing safety to meet legal requirements normally includes testing to recognised standards. Cargo bike standards already exist in Germany and France, and a new seven-part European cargo bike standard (which will also be adopted as a British Standard) is approaching publication this year.
There are currently no legal limits on wheel count, weight or size for cargo bikes or trailers in the UK.
However, discussions at EU level are exploring whether the industry should advocate (ahead of possible regulations being imposed on it) weight and/or size limits above which some form of type approval would be a more appropriate framework. A final position is not yet agreed, although it seems likely that the dividing line may well be based around the highest gross vehicle weight covered by the upcoming European cargo bikes standard, 600 kg.
Although any change to EU regulations is some way off, countries including the Netherlands and France have already stated an intention to potentially impose new national restrictions on some cargo cycles (and indeed, across the EU and beyond, certain countries do already have national restrictions on e.g. max width for using cycle lanes).
Future regulation of light electric vehicles (including e-bikes, e-cargo cycles, e-scooters and similar) is also a ‘live’ issue for the UK, and the BA is closely engaged in these discussions. A consultation was launched in March 2024 around changing the UK’s e-bike regulations, which could affect electrically-assisted cargo cycles, and we are awaiting its outcome.
The UK cycle industry is also represented through the BA and our international industry umbrella bodies CONEBI and WBIA at the United Nations in Geneva where discussions have been ongoing about e.g. updating the UN definition of a cycle (with a new “wide carrier cycle” class recently proposed) and, for example, discussion whether cargo cycles should be brought into the scope of ADR (the carriage of dangerous goods by road regulations).
The Bicycle Association keeps member companies fully informed and (if they wish) directly involved with all such discussions, as well as participating directly in standards development and engaging in regular dialogue with UK regulators and legislators.
Any company with an interest in cargo bike regulation is invited to join the Bicycle Association.
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