Big on potential: cargo bikes in the UK

There’s a silent revolution rolling through our streets - or at least trying to. Cargo bikes, those load-hauling, kid-carrying, delivery-boosting wonders, are capturing the imagination of families, businesses and anyone weary of traffic jams and fuel bills. Cleaner, cheaper and surprisingly fun to ride, they’re becoming an increasingly common sight in forward-thinking cities.

In the UK, though, many would-be riders are thwarted by barriers that could - and should - be fixed. The glimmer of hope is that every obstacle in the cargo bike’s path is solvable with a little political will and a lot of common sense.

1. Infrastructure that doesn’t fit the bill? Build for bigger bikes

Cargo bikes are bulkier than standard bicycles - and our current cycling infrastructure hasn’t got the memo. Narrow lanes, tight chicanes, kerbs with no drops, and barriers can make even short journeys feel like a slog.

The fix: Councils must design cycle routes with cargo bikes in mind. If it’s wide enough for a double buggy, wheelchair, or mobility scooter it’s wide enough for a cargo bike. In other words, this is an accessibility issue that goes wider than cycling.

2. High upfront cost? Make EV subsidies equitable

A decent e-cargo bike might set you back thousands, and unlike the plug-in grant which saw the UK government spend £1.5 billion subsidising the purchase of nearly half a million vehicles electric vehicles. The UK government launched a £650 million Electric Car Grant (ECG) in July 2025. This scheme offers point-of-sale discounts of up to £3,750 on new electric cars priced at £37,000 or less.there has been no such financial help for e-bikes – cargo or otherwise. At the very least extend the Cycle to Work scheme to everyone in paid employment. Rain covers, child seats and panniers all add up - so it’s no wonder families feel priced out.

The fix: Extend EV subsidies to include cargo bikes. In countries like France, Germany and the Netherlands, subsidies for e-bikes and cargo bikes have already helped thousands make the switch - proof that well-designed support works. It’s one of the reasons that France was able to boost e-bike sales to 750,000 each year against the UK’s 150,000.

3. No Storage? Rethink the streets (and in the meantime get cycle insurance that's sympathetic to cargo bikes)

Try threading a cargo bike through a garden gate or squeezing it into a hallway. For many, it’s not going to happen.

Fix it: Councils can install secure bike hangars, like those seen in parts of London, but scaled up for larger cycles. Developers must be made to include securecycle parking in new builds.

No shed? No problem. We understand it can be a challenge to store a cargo bike so our ETA cycle insurance allows you to keep a cargo bike in your front garden, or on the street outside your home. And if you're lucky enough to have a shed or garage, we don't specify any particular standard of lock for the door, or ask that your bike be locked to anything once inside.

4. Hostile Roads? Start protecting vulnerable users

Whatever type of bike you ride, cycling trips shouldn’t feel like a duel with speeding SUVs.

The fix: Give this country the segregated cycling infrastructure it deserves, engineer roads for the local limit, enforce 20mph zones, and redesign junctions for people not just cars.

5. Policy paralysis? Get serious about active transport

Right now, most national-level support for cargo bikes is piecemeal. What’s missing is a joined-up strategy that sees cargo bikes as a core part of the transport mix - not an afterthought.

The fix: Make cargo bikes a formal part of active travel funding. Require infrastructure that accommodates them. Integrate them into logistics plans. Where cargo bikes go, cleaner air and quieter, safer streets will follow.

6. Low awareness? Normalise

Too many people still think cargo bikes are quirky contraptions when in reality they’re just bikes. With boxes.

The fix: Fund try-before-you-buy schemes. Organise demo days in parks, schools, workplaces. Give people a go, and watch their eyes light up.

(cargo bike-friendly) Cycle Rescue is free with ETA bicycle insurance

If you suffer a breakdown (including punctures, or even a flat e-bike battery) while out cycling, our 24-hour Cycle Rescue team can arrange transport for you and your bicycle to a safe location. Buy as a standalone service, or get it included for free with ETA cycle insurance, along with:

• Theft, accidental damage & vandalism
• E-bike battery theft cover
• Cycle Rescue
• No devaluation of your bike over time
• £2m third party PLUS £20,000 personal accident cover
• Shed and garage storage
• Low standard excess of 5% (£50 minimum)
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The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

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