Bikes for Business: An interview with Howard Kennedy
We have been running the Bikes for Business project since 2019, supporting over 175 businesses to switch some (or all) of their deliveries to cargo bike, or to purchase a cargo bike.
Simon Tudor, Document Services Manager at law firm Howard Kennedy, based at 1 London Bridge, now has a cargo bike courier to deliver their documents. He tells us below how Bikes for Business worked for him.
His advice to other businesses? Just give it a go!
Who is Howard Kennedy and what do you do?
We are a London based, full-service law firm, specialising in providing straightforward advice to entrepreneurial businesses and individuals on domestic and international matters, and are based in London Bridge with 450 partners and staff.
As part of our Responsible Business strategy, we're committed to reducing our environmental impact. To achieve this, we need to work together with staff and suppliers alike to reduce our waste, energy use and carbon emissions.
How did you come across Bikes for Business?
Our Facilities Director, Alan Hutchinson created our Environmental Management System and achieved the ISO14001 certification in 2019. He has worked with Team London Bridge on environmental issues since we moved to the area eight years ago and was introduced to Bikes for Business through them.
Why did you take part in the project?
We had already been working with a courier who had both petrol vehicles and pedal bikes, for some time. However, while we were reviewing the service, it turned out that a lot of the work that we’d booked to be delivered by bike had been done by van or motorbike, and the deliveries were often delayed due to traffic. In the legal profession, a lot of what we do is time-sensitive, so it’s imperative that documents are received on time and by sustainable means to fulfil our commitment to our clients and to reducing our emissions.
We wanted to use a cargo bike courier to continue our commitment to sustainability, which is a key part of our business. To us, being sustainable is part of being a responsible business. Although the bottom line is always important, we believe that the impact we have on our environment is too. This is why "Responsible Business" makes up one of Howard Kennedy's six key pillars for growth over the coming years.
How were you previously having your items delivered?
A mix of cars, vans, pedal bikes and motorbikes, depending on the destination/time constraints. After discussing our requirements with the Bikes for Business team, we were introduced to Santis. Before committing to using their service, we met with them to discuss what they do and how they deliver their services for their clients. We decided to engage with them for a trial period, and it went so well that we have now made a permanent switch to using them.
How have you found using a cargo bike courier?
We’ve been really happy with the service from Santis. Currently, we use them on a regular basis and they’ve always been able to meet our requests. When we book a courier, we use a map that we have in the office which marks out all the areas that Santis can deliver to, which makes booking very easy. It’s a simple process, reduces our carbon emissions, and gets our important documents to where they need to be safely, securely and on time.
And we have a fancy ‘delivered by cargo bike’ envelope stamp so that we can share the clean air message with our clients”
What advice would you give other businesses about using a cargo bike courier?
I would say ‘Just give it a go’. Generally, with cargo bike couriers you don’t have any obligation using them or a minimum monthly charge, particularly if you’re using them on an ad-hoc basis.
Cargo bike couriers are able to deliver far quicker than vans and you can always switch courier depending on what you need. Just give it a go!
Get in contact – this offer runs out soon!
If you’re based in SE1 (or deliver to SE1) and would like to find out more about getting up to £1,500 in subsidies towards your own cargo bike or up to 50% off a trial with a cargo bike courier, contact our team today at bikesforbusiness@mpsmartertravel.co.uk or Jack@teamlondonbridge.co.uk.
This offer comes to an end soon, so please get in touch before the end of March.
Our cargo bike services directory shows it is not just couriers, but dry cleaning, office stationary, coffee and electrician services.
And if you ask nicely – we will give you a ‘delivered by cargo bike’ stamp!