Cargo bike trial cuts carbon emissions and congestion

A freight trial, the conception of which began in 2022, has demonstrated how sustainable logistics is key to reducing carbon emissions, cutting congestion and improving air quality in London.

Cross River Partnership (CRP), which led the project, worked with Network Rail, the London Borough of Lambeth, the Department for Transport (DfT) and London and Continental Railways (LCR) to deliver a low-emission delivery pilot.

The pilot was run at the Waterloo Freight Hub between 23 March and 23 July 2025, where Delivery Mates received, sorted and dispatched parcels across the capital using its electric cargo bikes. The bikes travelled more than 4,600km and delivered over 20,000 parcels to residents and businesses.

The project demonstrated the long-term potential for the Waterloo Freight Hub by making use of empty space at the station to sort and deliver parcels. It could be developed to be fully operational and multimodal, receiving deliveries arriving by rail, river and road, with outbound journeys completed using low-emission vehicles.

An upcoming report will detail the impacts of the trial alongside the processes, operational learnings and approvals involved. It will also map the project’s journey from conception in 2022 to delivery in 2025 and highlight the necessity for strong coordination.