Cargo Bike Schemes: A Regional Snapshot 2026 – New Report

We’re excited to share the launch of our new report, Cargo Bike Schemes: A Regional Snapshot 2026, highlighting the growing role of cargo bike borrowing schemes across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Cargo bikes are increasingly helping people carry out everyday journeys like school runs, shopping trips, and transporting bulky loads, without relying on cars. But while their benefits are well established, high purchase costs and limited storage space mean that owning a cargo bike is still out of reach for many households. With the closure of the Energy Saving Trust cargo bike grant fund, these barriers have become even harder to overcome.

That’s where borrowing schemes come in.

Our report identifies 17 cargo bike borrowing schemes across the region, with 14 currently active and open to the public. These schemes are helping more people try cargo bikes without the financial commitment, supporting a shift towards low-carbon transport, healthier lifestyles, and more inclusive active travel.

The report also highlights key challenges and opportunities, including the need for better coordination across schemes and more consistent evaluation methods to strengthen the evidence base for funding and long-term growth.

Cargo bikes aren’t just a trend, they’re a practical solution to reducing car dependency, cutting emissions, and making sustainable travel accessible to more communities.

📄 Read the full report here. Includes a directory of schemes and an interactive map of cargo bike provision across the region.