Lancaster man launches electric cargo bike delivery service with hopes for expansion

The Lancaster Cargo Co is an initiative that has been launched by Lancaster resident and environmental campaigner, Jack Lenox.

Electric cargo bikes allow a form of delivery that produces zero carbon emissions and no air pollution whilst easing traffic congestion.

Jack, 33, who moved to Lancaster from Keswick last year, said: "Lancaster is a fantastic city but I, like many others, get frustrated with the amount of traffic on the roads.

"I wanted to make a difference and having seen successful cargo bike delivery businesses popping up across the UK and Europe, I thought, why not Lancaster?

"So far it's had a great reaction from residents and local businesses."

Jack said he was very keen to expand the fleet, and is currently in discussion with Leisure Lakes in Lancaster about them supplying bikes from a Dutch company called Urban Arrow.

The company provides bikes to a company in London called Pedal Me which as well as cargo, are capable of carrying two adults with luggage.

Jack's bike is capable of carrying 220kg of net load, which is just under a quarter of a ton.

Jack's first customer is Single Step, Lancaster's long-running wholefood co-operative.

Sarah, one of the co-op's members said: "We are delighted to have gone into partnership with Jack and his electric bicycle delivery service.

"Customers can now place an order through our online shop and get our organic fruit, veg and wholefoods delivered to their door in an environmentally-friendly way.

"Cutting fossil fuel use is very important to us and Jack's e-bike delivery service is definitely part of a vision of a future Lancaster we are proud to be a part of."

Another customer of the service is Horseshoe Farm Flowers, a Lancaster-based florist specialising in locally grown, organic British flowers.

Laura, the founder of the business, said: "Jack's electric cargo bike delivery service has come at exactly the right time for us.

"We can now deliver flowers to our local area more efficiently and in a completely eco-friendly way.

"Our customers love the fact that not only are our flowers eco-friendly, so is our local delivery service, too. It's great to be supporting another local business."

Jack's first bike is made by German manufacturer Cube, and was supplied by the Lancaster branch of Leisure Lakes Bikes.

Leisure Lakes said: "It is a privilege to be involved with such a great opportunity for Lancaster.

"Home delivery services have certainly been a helping hand for many areas of the community throughout this tough year and the E-Cargo bikes will be able to go that extra mile and future proof this fantastic amenity in our city.

"These bikes are becoming increasingly popular and we are currently looking to implement changes in our workshop to accommodate E-Cargo bikes and help with the growing demand."

Jack had previously worked as a software engineer for over a decade and is currently studying part-time for an MSc in Sustainability and Behaviour Change at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales.

If you want Jack to help with your delivery needs, email: [email protected].