Chorlton Bike Deliveries Logo

About Us

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Our Story

Chorlton Bike Deliveries is more than just a bike delivery service…

We are a collective of people with a shared vision – to make our community a happier, healthier, and more compassionate place to live.

We deliver a smile and human connection in every single journey, and our services are ever-expanding as our network of partners continues to grow.

From a grassroots response to covid in early 2020, we’ve grown into a successful cooperative movement, with over 50 members made up of riders, community groups, independent businesses and others who simply share our values and advocate for our vision.

From helping those in need by delivering to local food banks, to working with the NHS and local businesses – no job is too big or small for our growing team of riders and expanding fleet of cargo bikes.

We’re unlocking more of our potential with every new opportunity that comes our way – both within Chorlton and beyond.

Use bikes to create
positive change in society

Support the interests of
local people and businesses

Good for the planet, furthering
sustainability and green ambitions

Creating jobs for young people
that pay a living wage

The Journey so Far

2020
22 April 2020
Launch on World Earth Day
August 2020
First annual Chorlton CycleFest
2021
April 2021
Incorporated as not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder co-operative
July 2021
Successful crowdfunder for big trike, Bertha
November 2021
First employee, part-time Deliveries Co-ordinator
2022
January 2022
Two new employees, part-time riders
for daily NHS deliveries
May 2022
Joined ‘Cycling without Age’ global movement
and purchased trishaw, Tereasa
November 2022
Real Living Wage employer accreditation
2023
February 2023
New premises!

Meet our Members

Chorlton Bike Deliveries was set up during Covid by five local residents to help people who were shielding, keep shopping with local businesses rather than use online supermarkets and polluting van deliveries.

It has grown to become a small but thriving local not-for-profit enterprise with hundreds of local supporters and more than 50 members.

Emma

Rider, Co-opted Director
"I started out as a rider during lock down and have steadily become more involved in many parts of Chorlton Bike Deliveries. I'm motivated by the power of bikes to change our community for the better and love playing a small role in realising this!"

Abbie

Rider, Director
I got involved with CBD at the start through local COVID mutual aid efforts. We wanted to do more to help the local community and so CBD was born! I have turned my hand to lots of new things since then: finance, communcations and of course riding an ecargo bike.

Alison

Rider
I started as a volunteer rider during lockdown and every week I deliver unsold bread to food banks. I get a break from work and I love to try different cargobikes, reduce food waste and meet generous and caring people supporting others in need.

Lucy

Rider
I got involved initially with CBD as I saw common ground - a motivation to lead a low impact lifestyle. Since then, I have found myself working with some really down to earth people. I'm paid to ride a bike and I bring joy to people's lives!

Ben

Rider, Comms Circle
"I joined CBD because I wanted to do something good for the local community and I love riding bikes.
I've met some really inspiring, lovely people and feel proud to be helping whilst saving the planet"

Nick

Rider, Director
Very proud to have helped be born, grow and contribute to changing behaviour and our reliance on cars and vans. Most proud of bringing the cargobike into our local NHS transport offer.
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Teresa

Trishaw 'pilot'
I looked up CBD after seeing the branded hi vis around. Coops, food waste and bikes are all important to me so I was soon hooked! Now I mainly pilot the trishaw giving less mobile people the chance to be out on a bike again. A pleasure for both me and them!
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Jen

ReCycle Project Coordinator
I joined CBD as the first employed deliveries coordinator. It was great to meet lots of new interesting people! I've now taken on a new job but remain involved in overseeing the ReCycle Project.

Dave

Bike Maintainance
I love bikes. The world is a better place with bicycles. I've got knowledge and experience from decades of maintaining standard bikes, but learning about ecargo bikes has been new and lots of fun!

Jack

Rider, Dispatch Coordinator
I started work with CBD as a Deliveries Co-ordinator in January 2023. It's the perfect mix of working with lots of interesting people climate action and of course bikes. No two days are the same!

Toby

Rider, Dispatch Coordinator, Co-opted Director
I started out with CBD as an employed rider for the daily central Manchester NHS run. When the Deliveries Coordinator job came up, it was just the opportunity I was after to get more stuck in with different parts of the organisation.

Debbie

Rider, Director
CBD brought my love of cycling together with my concern about food insecurity particularly during those early days of COVID. As one of the founding members I’m so proud of all the work we continue to do together to create positive change today.

Glynis

Rider, Director
The collective power of CBD has brought a richness to our communities - there is another way of transporting people and stuff!

Phill

Rider
I joined CBD at end of 2020. It was great to get out and meet people during lockdown. I started as a volunteer but when the paid opportunities became available, I was glad of the regular income. I now do mainly cover for others which fits my busy life perfectly!

Chris

Rider
When I retired from lecturing, I wanted to do some voluntary work. Chorlton Bike Deliveries gives me the opportunity to mix that with my passion for cycling.

Reg

Rider
My wife won't let me have my own ecargo-bike, so riding for CBD means I have access to the fleet of cool bikes, whilst helping the community and the planet. Selfless and selfish at the same time. What a great deal!