The Institute of Couriers (IOC) has issued a call to action to London boroughs, asking for more to be done to support the industry to improve air quality through the use of cargo cycles and electric vehicles.
Statistics show 40 billion units, including mail, food and clothes, were delivered to UK homes in 2020 – up from 25 billion in the previous year.
The IOC is the voice for the express delivery and courier sector. In April, its chairman, Carl Lomas, was invited to attend the quarterly meeting of the London Road Safety Council.
Mr Lomas spoke of the benefits of improved air quality, most notably through the use of electric vehicles and cargo bikes, and made suggestions on ways in which local authorities could assist the work of the IOC.
This includes building more charge points for commercial vehicles. The IOC says this would allow electric vans to be charged nearer to the home of the driver and cut down on extra mileage.
It is also calling for the standardisation of local clean air signage, to reduce confusion among drivers.
When it comes to using cargo bikes for final mile delivery, the IOC wants local authorities to create greater parking provision – including extra space to replenish, removing the need for riders to return to depot.
13 May 2021