The Times recently declared there’s a cargo bike boom in London. We couldn’t agree more – in fact, we see it every day.
“Anything that other handymen carry in their vans, I guarantee I can carry in my bike,” says Lewis-Phillips, founder of Handyman Station in Richmond.
Jeremy is one of London’s growing number of small business owners swapping their vans for electric cargo bikes. Specifically, he has chosen the Vok 4-wheeled business bike, purpose-built for city logistics.
A movement on two (well, four) wheels
At Vok, we’ve seen firsthand how London’s small businesses are leading this transformation. The reasons are clear: traffic delays, rising fuel prices, and new congestion and ULEZ charges have made traditional vans less practical, and much more expensive.
Vok’s electric cargo bikes offer a smarter way forward: faster through traffic, easy to park, and emissions-free.
And the businesses making the switch are as diverse as London itself:
🧆 All That Falafel – 3 restaurant locations near London Bridge keeping deliveries quick and local.
🧹 Box Cleaning London – operating efficiently across Central London without the stress of parking.
🍅 Smith&Brock – supplying London’s restaurants and hotels with fresh produce sustainably.
🧡 SEX Brand – turning heads with their statement: “Vok is brand buzz and logistics in one!”
🍩 Donutelier – managing supply runs between bakery sites.
💤 Frankie Says – using Vok for daily operations and facility support.
And many more!
Every one of these partners reports the same thing: greater efficiency, lower running costs, and easier city navigation — all while reducing emissions and boosting their brand visibility.
London’s numbers tell the story
London is a city built for movement — yet every day, it’s slowed down by 178,000 vans crossing into Central London, adding up to around 65 million van trips each year. That’s millions of engines idling in traffic, burning time, money, and fuel.
Now imagine if just a fraction of those trips could be done differently.
According to Transport for London data, if current trends continue, cargo bikes could replace up to 17% of those van journeys by 2030. That’s around 11 million trips a year shifting from diesel to electric pedal power.
And here’s what that really looks like:
With each cargo bike averaging 2.5–3 trips daily, London could soon have over 12,000 cargo bikes navigating the city’s streets within the decade – carrying tools, meals, parcels, and everything in between.
That’s not just a statistic. It’s a vision of a cleaner, quieter, and more efficient London, where small businesses glide past gridlock, delivery times drop, and air quality rises.
Every journey made by a Vok bike instead of a van is a small victory for business efficiency and for the city itself.
A shift that’s supported & encouraged
Fortunately, experts agree this is the future we need. London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Will Norman, says it best:
“There’s so much potential… it makes sense economically, environmentally, and from a safety perspective.”
Campaigners like Zak Bond, Clean Cities campaign manager, urge City Hall to set even higher targets than the 17% swap form vans to cargo bikes: “We need to take some parking spaces from cars and give them to bikes, offering efficient, climate-friendly travel options.”
The road ahead
As cargo bikes become essential tools for business, the city’s infrastructure must evolve to support them – with more protected lanes, smarter loading zones, and clear parking solutions.
But one thing is certain: the future of London logistics is electric, compact, and pedal-powered.
And at Vok, we’re proud to be riding at the front of this green shift. Vok is empowering local businesses to deliver smarter, move faster, and stand out on the streets of London.
Ready to see what a Vok can do for your business? Write to us at [email protected] to request a test ride and demo.
