RIPPL #7: Waltham Forest Council – Christmas Courier

Christmas Courier was a pilot scheme run by Waltham Forest Council employing Cycle Confident, a UK-based bicycle services and training company to undertake retail deliveries in the busy period running up to Christmas. The scheme ran between 12 and 23December 2016 from a mobile hub on Walthamstow High Street in North-East London.

Photo credit: Tom Parr
The aims of the scheme, which made use of a fleet of cargo bikes as well as an electric van, were to:
  • Reduce private vehicle usage and Increase active travel amongst residents
  • Reduce traffic congestion on roads
  • Reduce CO2 emissions, NOx and particulates
  • Increase community involvement in supporting businesses and emission reduction work
  • Promote sustainable transport.
The target audience was not just shoppers on Walthamstow High Street, whom Christmas Courier staff would offer to deliver their shopping to their homes, but also local businesses; 20 of which engaged with the scheme. Deliveries from the businesses and onwards to their customers’ homes were carried out by Christmas Courier.
The catchment area was clearly defined and spanned neighbouring postcodes.
Photo credit: Tom Parr
The pilot scheme received a lot of positive feedback and was deemed a success. Customer feedback suggests that the scheme did bring about behavioural changes among high street shoppers, enabling them to buy more items than normal and influencing them to shop locally rather than in central London or online.
Part of the Christmas Courier fleet.
Photo credit: Tom Parr
Overall, 1000 packages were delivered in 515 journeys, an average of 43 deliveries per day. A distance of 2636km was cycled, saving 400kg of CO2 equivalent emissions. The Council have secured funding from the Mayor of London’s Air Quality Fund to continue the scheme in 2017, albeit with a less festive theme.
Mission Control on Walthamstow High Street.
Photo credit: Tom Parr
Innovations: Air Quality Goals, Christmas Theme, Public Sector involvement as a catalyst
Organisation: Christmas Courier (London Borough of Waltham Forest)
Sector: Government
City: London
Country: UK
Bike Manufacturer(s): Bullitt, Omnium, Christiania, Bakfiets
Basis: Pilot

Website: www.waltham-forest.gov.uk/christmas-courier