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Transport for London is offering 25% off annual bike rentals to encourage more people to use green transport options during the holiday season.
As Black Friday and Christmas approach, the capital’s transport authority is urging businesses and shoppers to to consider green options to get their items around London.
Santander Cycles, operator of the popular shared bike scheme, is offering a 25% discount on annual memberships for Black Friday, in the hopes that shoppers with smaller parcels will consider getting home by bike.
Transport for London (TfL) is also encouraging shoppers to use click and collect services when ordering online and choosing standard delivery over next-day options which are worse for the environment.
Director of city planning at TfL, Alex Williams, said: “We’ve seen an increase in the number of personal deliveries across the capital which is affecting air quality in the capital and the health of many Londoners.
“Black Friday weekend is one of the busiest shopping events of the year and is highly anticipated for London’s shoppers and retailers. We’re encouraging Londoners to choose greener ways of getting their deliveries such as using click and collect or getting to the shops by public transport, helping to reduce the congestion on the capital’s roads and improving air quality.”
In London, 90% of all goods are transported by roads, but road freight is a major source of nitrogen dioxide emissions, which are worsened during busy delivery periods, TfL said.
To reduce the environmental impacts of Black Friday and Christmas periods, TfL is asking shoppers to walk, cycle or use public transport to get to shops, use click and collect facilities near their home when ordering online, and ensuring deliveries are arranged for when you are at home to reduce the number of failed deliveries.
Failed deliveries can increase the carbon footprint of online orders by up to 75% because of the additional trips for re-delivery or collection.
TfL has also partnered with InPost to install parcel lockers across the capitals, allowing Londoners to collect and return parcels.
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These stations are primarily located in TfL car parks and close to tube and rail stations, making it easier for residents to incorporate them into their everyday journeys.
