Getting around Vancouver is becoming increasingly difficult as cars and trucks clog the streets, adding to carbon emissions, noise and frustration. But just look up for a minute and you'll see a revolution rolling by courtesy of Shift Delivery Coop. With its fleet of pedal powered trikes and electric cargo vehicles, Shift is moving goods across the city in a sustainable way.

It all began in 2011 when a group of students collaborated on a project to reduce the environmental impact of transporting goods and create meaningful jobs in the green sector. As a worker-coop, Shift is owned by its members and is democratically governed. For delivery workers, this is a wonderful opportunity to be part of something that is co-operative and empowering, according to Devan McLelland, business team lead for Shift.

Despite the drop in business during the COVID-19 pandemic, McLelland says Shift did not have to lay off any of its team as was the case for many other businesses. Instead, members all pitched in to keep the co-op going, doing whatever tasks were required under the “new normal.” This collaborative attitude also applies to Shift's relationships with its clients or “partners” who share the commitment to having their products moved in a sustainable way.

There are a few new projects on the horizon for Shift. One is using the coopcycle.org platform to establish a separate restaurant meal and goods delivery service in the Commercial Drive, Gastown, Chinatown and Strathcona neighbourhoods. The other is being part of the new cargo e-bike micro hub project for Vancouver.

Tune into the CFRO interview with McLelland below: