CoopCycle
Open-source delivery platform run by a federation of bike-courier co-ops
CoopCycle is a federation of worker-owned cargo-bike delivery cooperatives that share one software platform: dispatch and route planning, courier app, invoicing, and online storefronts for local shops and restaurants. The code is released under the 'Coopyleft' licence, which allows only cooperatives and social-economy structures to use it commercially. Member co-ops in cities such as Nantes, Bayonne, Barcelona and Hamburg deliver meals, groceries and parcels for local merchants.
Our reading. Best for independent restaurants and shops in cities with a CoopCycle member co-op that want cargo-bike delivery and an ordering page without marketplace commissions.
Strengths
- A merchant gets a local delivery fleet plus an ordering page without a commission-based platform
- Software is open source with an e-commerce module and courier app included
- Governed one-member-one-vote; no investor pressure
Limits
- Coverage depends on whether a member co-op exists in the merchant's city
- Onboarding is handled by the local co-op, not self-serve
- Small volunteer-backed team for software development
Cooperative federation founded 2017, no venture funding, member-financed software used by bike-delivery co-ops in several countries
Two entities since 2022: an association and a SCIC cooperative federation; members include Naofood (Nantes), Corbo (Bayonne), Mensakas (Barcelona), Tricargo (Hamburg); also used by co-ops in Canada, Mexico and Australia