DPD teams up with Army Cycling to help boost participation

Body aims to inspire Regular, Reserve and Veteran soldiers to cycle

Parcel delivery company DPD has partnered with Army Cycling to support the body responsible for cycling participation at all levels from promoting access to cycling as a means of transport around bases to training elite athletes.

The Army Cycling Union (ACU) was created in 1950 to encourage cycling as a pastime and promote all branches of the sport. Regardless of age, gender or experience, the ACU is committed to promoting and facilitating cycling across the Army.

As well as facilitating on camp Unit bikes as a healthy way to get around, Army Cycling also supports riders at all levels of the sport across road racing, time trials, e-racing, gravel, cyclocross, BMX and mountain biking.

As part of the deal, DPD will become the headline sponsor on the Army Cycling team jerseys. The Army Global Cycling Club has over 800 signed up members who take part in events and racing from the Army's own events, right up to national championships and the UCI World Championships and Masters.

The support will also help facilitate mass participation events from taster days through to novice races and the Road Race Championships, as well as keeping entry fees low.

Tim Jones, Director of Marketing, Communications & Sustainability DPDgroup UK commented, "We are incredibly proud to be working alongside Army Cycling. It is an amazing organisation that supports soldiers at every level and clearly plays such an important role in army life, for so many. Cycling is a sustainable and healthy alternative to other forms of transport, and it is inspiring to see how Army Cycling promotes the benefits to all ages and abilities, as well as the roll it can play in terms of rehabilitation and keeping active. The new jerseys are fantastic, and we look forward to seeing them leading the way at events far and wide."

Colonel Nick Mackenzie, Chair of Army Cycling Union commented, "We are hugely grateful to DPD for their support. They are a big household name that is already a long way down the road towards Net Zero and a big promoter of sustainable transport. Our mission is to inspire soldiers to cycle and create opportunities for everyone to achieve their cycling goals and DPD's support will go a long way in helping us succeed."

DPD UK recently confirmed that it is on target to deliver a 46% reduction in emissions by the end of 2024, from the 2020 baseline, with a third of its final mile van fleet now electric and 95% of its HGV fleet running on HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil).

As part of Geopost, DPD UK has a net zero target of 2040, which is fully validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). DPD UK has confirmed that the UK operation is on track with the trajectory required to meet the group target.

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For further information please contact: press@dpd.co.uk

Notes to editors

Picture: Army Cycling riders sporting the new team jerseys.

DPD is a member of Geopost, a European leader in parcel delivery and solutions for e-commerce, part of the La Poste Groupe.

The company operates more than 10,000 vehicles in the UK from 85 locations and delivers over 400 million parcels a year.

DPD UK topped the Money Saving Expert parcel delivery customer satisfaction poll for the ninth time in 2024.

In November 2023 DPD opened London Docklands to deliver all-electric throughout London. Currently, 33% of DPD's van fleet is all-electric while 95% of the HGV fleet runs on biofuel. The company is on track to be Net Zero by 2040.

Details of all of DPD's sustainability initiatives can be found on its dedicated sustainability website: green.dpd.co.uk/