Grocery delivery services are nothing new, delivering food by car or truck, but a new business in Oregon is taking a different and sustainable approach by replacing those delivery trucks with cargo bicycles. Portland Pedal Power’s mission is to play a role in the growth of sustainable transportation, promoting a vibrant localized community.

Their pilot project is a partnership with People’s Food Cooperative, the community-owned natural market in southeast Portland. Anyone who arrives to the Co-op’s Wednesday Farmer’s Market by bus, foot, or bike can have their groceries delivered to their doorstep for free (within certain boundaries of the city). So the incentive to drive to the store decreases.

“There’s a lot of passion behind it,” Ken Wetherell, one of the founders, says. “The driving force is the feeling that it’s a good cause, and fun!” They thought of the idea, and as Ken explains it, they just “jumped into the project? swept away in the current running through Portland”. The other founders are Qua Waadobi and Neil Robinson; all three founders are involved with the People’s Food Co-op, so their natural first step was to start their business off there. Seeing the Portland community as a leader in bicycle-use, they are letting the new business foster growth organically, rather than trying to pre-plan it all out too much.

The response from the pilot project has been very supportive; Wednesday Farmer’s Market customers are applauding the business enthusiastically, but many don’t actually need it themselves, since they are already an eco-conscious crowd with their bicycle transportation and cargo figured out. Therefore, insight from this pilot project is that ideal customers will be people who support sustainable transportation, but unlike the dedicated eco-conscious crowd which frequents the co-op, don’t find it practical or desirable to ride a bike for grocery trips year-round, once the colder weather and rain start rolling in.

Portland Pedal Power intends to eventually expand their business by recruiting more delivery pedalers, and providing services with other sustainable businesses and farmer’s markets. They are already talking with several businesses. Businesses will have the incentive to partner with the service to bring in customers who might otherwise use other (car-supported) delivery services. As well as partnering with businesses, they want to provide a combined shopping and delivery service to individuals, for $10.

As well as expanding their own business, they intend to help others start their own bicycle delivery businesses. Kent admits that this is not the average business strategy: “From my textbook experience on running a business,” he says, “you want to create barriers to entry; I want to flip this 180 degrees.” Instead of creating adversarial competition, they intend to promote gateways to entry, along with the spirit of community and sustainability that Portland Pedal Power is rooted in. “I envision a broader community; we can collaborate and learn from each other? More people involved will help it catch on; everyone can benefit.” Co-opetition, he calls it. He envisions a start-up kit, a basic template for other people to start a similar gig—explaining insurance, a website, advertising, and more.

Portland Pedal Power’s newest customer was “a new delivery for a new delivery”: a newborn and his mom used the service for the first time, and were very pleased. They welcome any suggestions for the business, and any new customers who want to try them out!