Ashoka
Based on a cooperative business model, urbike redefines participative governance and respectful working conditions combining logistical innovation and operational efficiency.
The idea for urbike sprang to life in 2018 in the minds of Delphine Lefebvre, Philippe Lovens, and Renaud Sarrazin following a European study that suggested 40% of last-mile deliveries in cities could be made by bicycle instead of by vans and small trucks. Inspired by this, the 3 co-founders approached organizations such as Delhaize, bpost and Multipharma to partner on testing and developing alternative and sustainable logistics models. This experimental project called “BCklet” confirmed the positive impact of delivering goods by bicycle and laid the foundations for the present urbike, a cycle logistics cooperative pushing for change in urban mobility.
Urbike’s cooperative model is key to understanding the company’s core values. “All the people working in the cooperative are invited to become co-owners. They take part in the governance, and every voice counts,” explain Delphine Lefebvre. In addition to its workers, urbike is also owned by 350 citizens motivated to change the city in which they live. “Their participation goes beyond decision-making; they are key actors in building a positive, sustainable and financially viable company. Ultimately, we want to mobilize all citizens and encourage them to invest in green projects.”
Bicycle delivery from A to Z
Urbike offers four complimentary services. Firstly, a cargo bike delivery service for businesses of all types of goods (parcels, flowers, books, food, medicine...) to private and professional customers. Secondly, based on their strong experience in last-mile distribution, urbike advises companies on how to facilitate and optimize their own cyclo-logistical transition. Renaud Sarrazin: “We want to help every actor, public and private, which is willing to make the switch from conventional logistics to bike logistics.” Thirdly, urbike delivers training on the safe use, performance and durability of cargo bikes. And linked to this, urbike also rents and sells a wide range of bike trailers and containers.
Aside from reinventing urban delivery systems, urbike also wants to improve the status of bike couriers by redefining their role within the cooperative. Focusing on their employees’ wellbeing creates a competitive advantage because it increases their confidence, performance and efficiency.
“Being a courier is a very precarious job. Bikers are usually paid by the parcel, and the working conditions are extremely hard. The objective of urbike is to create stable jobs, and a friendly working environment where there is trust and respect. Our couriers receive safety training because cargo bikes and trailers can be difficult to maneuver without guidance. Receiving positive feedback from our clients and bikers alike, praising our work and our values, is incredibly rewarding.”, says Philippe Lovens. And the numbers don’t lie. Since it started, urbike has created 35 qualitative jobs, and makes around 20,000 deliveries per month in Brussels.
Towards #1 in cyclo-logistics
Proud of their achievements, the cooperative is ambitious. Within ten years, they want to be the number one reference in bike delivery and cyclo-logistics in Europe. “We really want to create a network of active citizens who are willing to change city logistics.” Having proved the efficiency of their business model, urbike wants to replicate it in other cities, creating a network of local cooperatives with the same values and work ethic.
Growing their business while remaining environmentally sound and socially oriented is a challenge. urbike has to combine flexibility and efficiency for its clients with job stability for its employees. “It’s not always easy but we are convinced that it’s possible to offer the same level of service and volume of deliveries as motorized transport. And all of this without affecting the quality of air and life in a city, and even generating other opportunities for positive change.” That is why keeping the cooperative model of urbike is primordial for Delphine, Philippe, and Renaud. And to continue growing sustainably, urbike launched an ambitious crowdfunding campaign a few weeks ago. The objective is to raise one million euros, mainly through investments from citizens. The tax shelter mechanism (25% tax reduction for individuals) is a great incentive.
Ready to scale up and attracted by the complementary skills and legitimacy that each Impact Programme partner brings to the table – impact and sustainability from Ashoka, financial expertise from ABN Amro, and structuring and professionalization from Accenture – Urbike eagerly joined the Programme. Delphine, Philippe, and Renaud are looking forward to growing their impact supported by these experts.
Find out more about Urbike's work HERE