An initiative offering businesses electric cargo bike deliveries has been extended following a trial period.

The service has been extended until February 28, 2025 after a successful six month trial.

Launched in March, Oxford City Council and Velocity Cycle Couriers entered a 12 week partnership offering free same-day and next-day deliveries by electric cargo bike for Oxford businesses to destinations within the ring road.

The service was extended until August 31, and due to its success, it has now been extended again.

The launch of the initiative in MarchThe launch of the initiative in March (Image: Oxford City Council)

Anna Railton, deputy leader and cabinet member for zero carbon Oxford at Oxford City Council, said: "It is fantastic that we are able to extend the Velocity electric cargo bike delivery service for a further six months.

"The trial has been a success so far and I am pleased that we are able to support Oxford’s businesses with exploring cargo bike deliveries."

In the six months since it was launched, the service has made around 1,100 deliveries within the Oxford ring road.

This has seen the bikes cover around 3,094 miles, saving an estimated 813.5 tons of carbon.

Deliveries are carried out by a Velocity rider using one of the dedicated Covered Market e-cargo bikes.

When reviewing the extension of the partnership, the council engaged with participating businesses, and found strong support for extending the initiative for another six months.

During this period, the council will reduce its subsidy for the deliveries from 100 per cent to 50 per cent, with the remaining cost paid by participating businesses.

Until now, the council had been using grant funding earmarked for improving air quality to subsidise the cost of making deliveries.

Jake Swinhoe, director of Velocity Cycle Couriers, said: "We are absolutely delighted to agree an extension to the Oxford City Council project that will continue to support city centre traders with their distribution of goods.

"The transition to a sustainable transport network can be a complex topic but finding viable solutions needs strong partnerships - working with so many amazing local businesses coupled with the enthusiasm and support of the city council feels like a very positive movement.

"At Velocity we are looking forward to further expansion as more journeys on cargo bikes rather than in diesel vans makes for less congestion and cleaner air in our city.”

The extended service will also see deliveries made outside of the ring road, with Velocity charging an additional fee per mile for such deliveries.

The transport sector is the largest contributor of NOX emissions in the city, making up 68 per cent of emissions in Oxford.