The new shared electric cargo bike will be based at Oxford House in Bethnal Green.
Residents and businesses can now borrow an electric cargo bike for everyday journeys thanks to a new community bike share scheme.
Tower Hamlets Council has partnered with OurBike and the Zero Emissions Network (ZEN) to launch the borough’s first shared e-cargo bike scheme, giving people a practical and affordable way to transport heavier loads without needing a car or van.
The bike will be stationed at Oxford House, a community arts venue in Bethnal Green, less than ten minutes’ walk away from Bethnal Green Underground station. This location makes the cargo bike useful for residents looking to visit and shop at Bethnal Green and Columbia Road Markets. As hosts, the team at Oxford House are providing the space for the bike and responsible for swapping out and charging the bike’s batteries.
The electrically assisted cargo bike is designed to help with everyday tasks such as school runs, shopping trips, deliveries, moving items or days out with family. Each bike features a large open-top box capable of carrying bulky items or passengers, including two children or one adult weighing up to 100kg.
Users can hire the bike through the OurBike app, with pricing set at £5 per hour. To encourage people to try out the bike, a number of introductory offers are available when the scheme launches. New business users can claim three hours of free use to help them explore how cargo bikes can support business or everyday operations, and new resident users can receive one hour of free use.
The Zero Emissions Network is also offering free cargo bike training sessions for residents and businesses who want to build confidence riding a cargo bike. Anyone interested can register for training through the Zero Emissions Network website.
OurBike is the UK’s largest community e-cargo bike share scheme, with bikes hosted by trusted local organisations such as businesses, schools and community hubs. The model ensures that bikes are available close to where people live and work while strengthening local partnerships.
The scheme forms part of a wider network of shared cargo bikes operating across London through the Zero Emissions Network, which supports businesses and residents to reduce emissions, improve air quality and save money.
By offering a convenient alternative to cars and vans for short journeys, the new scheme will help residents and businesses cut costs while reducing congestion and pollution in Tower Hamlets.
Councillor Shafi Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency, said:
“Cargo bikes are a great way of moving goods around the borough without relying on cars or vans, so I’m really pleased to see this scheme launch in our borough. Our partnership with OurBike makes these bikes accessible to more people, and make it easier for our residents to choose cleaner, greener ways to travel in Tower Hamlets.”
Emma Hughes, Head of Business Development & OurBike Lead at Peddle My Wheels, said
“We’re thrilled to welcome Tower Hamlets to the OurBike network and to be launching this new cargo bike hub with Oxford House in Bethnal Green. By hosting the bike at a well-loved community organisation, the scheme becomes part of everyday neighbourhood life — giving residents and local businesses an easy way to carry children, goods or shopping without needing a car or van.”
John Ryan, Chief Executive at Oxford House, said:
“We’re proud to support OurBike at Oxford House. It’s a practical, community-focused initiative that makes greener travel more accessible while helping people feel more connected to Bethnal Green. The new bike will join a growing network of more than 70 shared cargo bikes across London and beyond."
Notes to editors
OurBike is the UK’s largest community e-cargo bike share scheme and is part of the London-based active travel company Peddle My Wheels.
The scheme is supported through the Zero Emissions Network, a partnership helping businesses and residents reduce emissions and improve air quality across several London boroughs.
Oxford House is a community arts venue that has been part of Bethnal Green for generations, creating a welcoming space where people can come together through culture, community and shared activity. Today it supports local residents, artists and organisations through arts programmes, heritage activity, events and affordable space, with the aim of building a more connected, creative and inclusive East London.
Posted on Friday 20th March 2026