​To highlight and promote the relevance of cargo bikes in the current cycling economy the European research project CityChangerCargoBike project (CCCB) has created the first ever European Cargo Bike Industry Survey. Companies have until 18 May to submit their figures. The survey aims for complete market coverage so it includes any bicycles with a higher than usual total maximum weight, specifically constructed for the private or commercial transport of goods or people. This includes postal bikes and rikshaws and extends the scope of the research to the European Union plus UK, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and the Balkan region. 

Cycling sector’s growth stories 
Cargo bikes and especially electrically assisted cargo bikes have been hailed as one of the cycling sector’s growth stories in recent years. Moving out of their traditional base in Denmark and the Netherlands there has been very significant growth in many other countries. And the bigger companies have not been slow to follow up the trend with Bosch producing dedicated e-cargo dive units while PON and Accell Group have both made strategic acquisitions in the segment.  

Research on the market potential has suggested that cycling can replace up to 50% of light goods movements in and around cities in Europe, which led Cycling Industries Europe to forecast a market potential of up to 2 million units per year by 2030. However, one of the missing pieces of data from this success story is a true measure of the actual number of units being sold today. German Industry Association ZIV included cargo bikes as a category in its annual statistics for 2019 and found a share of around 4%, while it is believed cargo bikes make up about 6% of the current bike fleet in Copenhagen. But to what extent are these figures matched internationally? Such data is needed to further increase investment by companies and political attention by national governments and the EU. Especially as the cargo bike industry is also affected by the coronavirus crisis and should benefit from stimulus packages. 

Partners is the project 
The anonymous survey is jointly conducted by CCCB partners European Cycle Logistics Federation, cargobike.jetzt, Cycling Industries Europe and Cracow University of Technology. It is part of CCCB’s mission to “fully exploit the huge potential of cargo bikes to achieve a faster, more cost-effective and larger scale deployment of this sustainable mobility option for urban areas.” 

Having the University as a partner means the research can be independently validated and means complete anonymity between brands. As the CCCB research partner, Cracow University of Technology’s team led by Professor Vitalii Naumov (Department of Transportation Systems) will provide aggregated data for analysis and reporting.  

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Reference: Bike Europe

​To stay competitive, delivery companies, facilities managers, service engineers and construction firms are being prompted to urgently rethink their logistics plans, shifting vehicle movements to e-cargo bikes in and around cities.

Just Ride the Bike, an active travel consultancy, is engaged with the City of London Corporation, Phil Jones Associates and PedalMe to fast track an e-cargo bike pilot scheme for companies needing to maintain freight service levels in a post-lockdown UK.

Encouraged by the £2bn long-term package to put cycling and walking at the heart of transport policy announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, many local authorities are already rolling out measures to make it harder for vehicles to access dense urban areas. Support service providers with a business model reliant on using motorised transport for mobile response teams or mobile engineers will need to adapt fast; the attractive, cost-efficient, and environmentally-sound option is to move as many journeys as achievable to e-cargo bikes.

The City of London Corporation, which was already seeking to mitigate the impact of freight and servicing activity in the Square Mile, are now having to consider this in the context of supporting socially distant travel for over half a million employees.

The City of London’s 25-year Transport Strategy seeks to reduce the number of motorised freight and servicing vehicles by 30% by 2044 – with 90% of this activity to take place outside peak hours. With half of vans estimated to be undertaking servicing activity in the City, their strategy commits to developing a sustainable servicing plan to reduce the number of motor vehicles required to undertake this essential activity.

Just Ride the Bike is calling for service providers to shift their operations from vans to e-cargo bikes as soon as possible to adapt to emergency transport planning measures, maintain productivity and pursue a sustainable servicing plan. High-tech e-assist cargo bikes can move loads of up to 150kg, even without a trailer.

Organisations such as FedEx, DHL, Co-op, the Royal Mail, and the NHS (for blood supplies) are already using e-cargo bikes for the last mile of their deliveries.

Dr David Land of Just Ride the Bike explained: “Our standard research model develops a strong business case leading to a e-cargo bike pilot scheme that we manage, measuring performance and assessing productivity. But the call from the Dept of Transport and plans of farsighted local authorities such as the City of London make that business case much more urgent. We want to work with service providers such as facilities managers, estates teams and building services organisations to set up a pilot scheme right now. This will show how they can easily adapt to deliver business continuity, whilst delivering sustainable logistics and service support.”

Across the UK councils are making rapid plans; some cities and regions are further ahead than others. But the objective is the same: reduce vehicle traffic and prioritise walking and bike riding.

“Facilities managers, builders and service engineers need to adapt now because this change is likely to remain in place for the foreseeable future. We want to facilitate that change by setting up scalable pilot schemes as soon as possible,” said Dr Land.

​Reference: ​Cycling Industry News

​“Cycling is to mobility what organic farming is to agriculture.” -Vandana Shiva
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Urban and non-motorised transport are increasingly being recognised as a part of the remedy to air pollution and climate change. Can we have a credible and substantial conversation about urban non-motorised transport?

Let’s start with the examples of Copenhagen and Amsterdam. These cities are spearheading ways to apply the bicycle to meet the needs of all its citizens and the many roles that entail. Other EU cities are not far behind: Munich, Brussels, and London are three where progress continues to be made. But care must be taken that these vehicles do not befall the same steep decline as the rickshaw did between the 19th and 20th centuries.

A relatively new type of bicycle making waves throughout Europe is the cargo bike, also known as the freight or utility bike. The rise of this apparently old-fashioned technology with a new twist suggests to many observers that despite widespread excitement about the prospects of using autonomous cars and air taxis, the resilient future of mobility in very old and crowded cities, like the rickshaw, is likely to end up being powered by human muscle.

Cargo bikes have emerged as versatile vehicles of change for urban economies by being sustainable, economically viable, and a means for reclaiming public space from motorised transport. Door-to-door delivery is efficient for the majority of inner-city transport and there is a non-existent noise and pollution footprint. Cargo bikes are only one demonstration of a renaissance of cycling that has also featured a proliferation of traditional bicycles, both pedal-powered and electrically assisted.

According to Germany's Two-wheel Industry Association (ZIV): "In the last year, e-cargo bikes have outsold electric cars in Germany—39,000 electric-assisted cargo bikes versus 32,000 electric cars. This is despite electric cars being backed by large government subsidies while e-bikes get a small hand out."

Cargo bikes are catching on outside of Europe too. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and especially around the vicinity of Copacabana, there are over 11,000 cargo bike deliveries a day. According to the Transporte Ativo: "One of the most important and expensive urban freight stages is the last-mile when the goods are delivered from shops to consumers. Cargo bicycles are the best option for transporting goods over short distances and can easily be integrated into the city’s busy streets. Its use lightens the burden of motorised transportation, such as congestion, parking issues, air pollution and its impacts on climate change."

One small, zero-emissions vehicle with a much longer history than the cargo bike is the rickshaw. As the use of cargo bikes are on the rise, the number of rickshaws is radically declining. This comparison can be a very interesting attempt to see if cargo bikes will share the same fate as rickshaws in the context of future urban transport-oriented development.

On 7 July 2019, the two city corporations in Dhaka, Bangladesh banned rickshaws on three main roads in an effort to address the problem of traffic congestion.

Let’s take a closer look at Dhaka’s reverse rickshaws paradox. Rickshaws do not emit carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide. They are the most common and popular mode of transport for the people of Dhaka. At least 3.5 million rickshaws trips are made on a daily basis, which counts for 40% of all trips in the city of which 70% count for short trips; however, rickshaws occupy 60% of the road space infrastructure. They carry more passengers daily than the London Underground. The city is not considered walkable due to the lack of adequate infrastructure and public transport. Rickshaws are a crucial source of employment and involve an additional 41 industries. The main and ironic argument for banning rickshaws is that they cause air pollution by slowing down the speed of motorised vehicles and clogging up the already infamous traffic in this megacity. One very interesting attempt on how to untangle the traffic knot in Dhaka is World Bank’s Ke Fang reflective question: Can we build Dhaka out of traffic congestion?

In the era of urbanisation and climate crisis, the global north and south share the same desire and interest for active mobility to be safe, functional and inclusive for all. However, insufficient infrastructure and social stigmas hinder the process of enhancing the liveability quotient of cities, especially in developing countries. The cargo bike seems to be the inevitable next step of development in non-motorised transport and most likely the only viable substitute for the rickshaw.

The lessons learned from Dhaka’s struggle with rickshaws should serve as a wake-up call for the bicycle manufacturers and the delivery industry if they want to avoid a similar decline as the rickshaw after saturating the global north with its products.

As some say, the bike is a XIX century innovation destined to solve XXI century problems. Shouldn’t the entire cycling industry get involved in this global conversation? It appears that the future of cargo bikes depends not only on design and production of the bicycle itself but also on securing the support eco-system for their services to be accessible for all. 

Reference: ​sportanddev.org

What Is a Cargo Bike?
Cargo bikes are sturdy bikes built to carry heavy loads and often two or more people. The bikes vary in sizes and shapes, may have two or three wheels, and commonly have a longer wheelbase than a standard bicycle, with space for hauling cargo either in the front or back. Electric cargo bikes are equipped with pedal assists to make carrying big loads more comfortable and climbing hills easier. You can accessorize cargo bikes to fit your specific carrying needs, including adding child bike seats, panniers, boxes, rain covers, footrests or even racks to hold a surfboard or paddle board.
Why get a cargo bike? Cargo bikes allow you to do all the things you would do on a bike, but its sturdiness means you can haul more stuff without throwing everything and everyone off balance. The beefiest bikes have a cargo capacity of up to a few hundred pounds. (Check bike specifications for the maximum carrying capacity.) Families use them to haul kids (and all their stuff) to school, parks and other places in the neighborhood; they’re versatile because you can carry a smaller child and an older one at the same time. Cyclists are choosing them as an easy, environmentally fun way to zip around town without the hassle of finding parking.

Different Types of Cargo Bikes
There are three popular types of cargo bikes:
Longtail bikes: These let you carry children and other cargo on an extended rear rack that sits over the back wheel. They’re popular with families who have more than one child. Kids can ride in child seats that are mounted on that rack or sit on a bench on the rear rack. 
Mid-tail bikes: These compact utility bikes are shorter than longtails. Some are about the same length of a standard bike but with better hauling capacity. They’re easier to store, transport and maneuver; some fold up. They may not be able to handle multiple kids so may not be as versatile for larger families. 
Front-loading cargo bikes (sometimes called bakfiets, Dutch for “box bike”) let you carry your cargo in a box or container that sits low in the space between the handlebars and the front wheel. Families enjoy these bikes because they can carry kids and pets in the front where they can keep an eye on them, and conversations tend to be easier. Riding them takes some practice, but they’re surprisingly easy to maneuver. 

Cargo Bikes: Electric Assist or Not?
The addition of electric assists has made cargo bikes more practical and approachable for many cyclists, especially those pedaling in hilly areas or those who aren’t accustomed to taking on heavy loads. On the plus side, electric cargo bikes allow cyclists to pedal farther and faster. Some cyclists find they ride more often because of it, and that it becomes just as easy to hop on an e-cargo bike than jumping into a car for a quick trip around town. Parents are also finding it easier and less of a hassle to ride an electric cargo bike than to tow kids in a trailer or carry them in a bike seat.
The downside of e-bikes is that they’re pricey. Some are nearly twice as expensive as a standard cargo bike, ranging from $2,000 to $5,000. They’re also heavier, so carrying them up a flight of stairs, fitting them on buses or transporting them on a vehicle can be challenging. 
Depending on where you live, you may need a license for an e-bike, and the class you choose will affect where you’re able to ride. In the U.S., most e-bikes are categorized into three classes—1, 2 and 3—based on their top assisted speed and whether they use a throttle. People for Bikes, an advocacy group for cycling, keeps a state-by-state e-bike guide that describes e-bike regulations around the country. To learn more about e-bikes, read Intro to Electric Bikes.

Tips on Riding a Cargo Bike
While riding a cargo bike may feel different at first, most people pick it up pretty quickly after a few rides out. Here are some general tips as you ride:

• Mid-tail bikes ride a lot like touring bikes. They feel really stable, though it’s a good idea to avoid overloading the rear with cargo or the bike will feel out of balance.
• Starting and stopping may be the biggest challenge for new cargo bike riders. As you start pedaling, the bike may lean more to one side. The more you practice, however, the more intuitive it will become.
• Carrying heavy cargo also takes getting used to. You don’t want to immediately jump on it with kids or other passengers and start pedaling in traffic. Practice carrying cargo or a passenger in a flat, safe area before hitting the streets. Get a feel for how the bike maneuvers and stops. When carrying big loads, be sure to brake sooner and more gently.
• Make sure your cargo is stable, secure and balanced on your bike and doesn’t exceed your bike’s maximum carrying capacity.
• Longer cargo bikes are very stable, but as you ride, keep in mind where the rear wheel is behind you when you turn so you don’t cut a corner too closely.
• When riding an e-assist cargo bike, start in a lower assist and then work your way up to a higher assist. Starting out in a higher assist can be jolting and unstable. Baby it into position.  

Tips for Maintaining a Cargo Bike: Generally speaking, cargo bikes need to be serviced more regularly, even if you’re doing short trips every day. They’re heavier bikes, often with longer chains, and should be routinely checked for wear and replaced as needed. With heavier bikes carrying cargo, you’re asking more of your brakes, so check the brakes more frequently as well. Follow your manufacturer’s recommendations on maintaining your cargo bike.
For more information, read our series on Bike Maintenance Basics.

Cargo Bikes for Hauling Kids or Other Passengers
Families are embracing cargo bikes as a new fun way to explore on two wheels with multiple children. The bikes are sturdy enough to haul more than one child at a time; some can handle multiple kids. Kids can be carried in a number of ways, depending on the bike: Older kids can sit on a bench or shelf on a rear rack, in a front bucket, box or container; younger ones should be strapped into a bike seat.

• Check local and state bike laws for regulations on carrying passengers. (The League of American Bicyclists lists bike laws by state).
• Make sure your child bike seat is approved to work with your cargo bike. Children between 12 months to 4 years who can sit well unsupported and whose necks are strong enough to support a lightweight helmet can ride in a rear-mounted child bike seat, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. 
• Kids older than 4 should have a passenger handlebar or something to hold onto as well as a place to rest their feet. You can customize your cargo bike with accessories including handlebars, a ring handle, safety bars that encircle the passengers, or foot guards.
• Add panniers, wheel covers or other guards to protect little feet from the wheel and gears.
• Practice loading and unloading your kids onto the bikes. Do not leave children unattended on the bike.
• Be aware that carrying cargo will affect your steering. When pedaling with kids, talk to them about what you expect from them (no wiggling or leaning) and explain why (kids are helping to keep the bike stable and still for a smoother ride). You want them to be centered on the bike and not wave their arms around. 

​​Reference: REI Co-op

The new economy of urban deliveries
Cargo bikes are proving to be versatile vehicles of change for urban business interests thanks to their economic viability. They also reduce the need for polluting and noisy delivery trucks that contribute to urban gridlock. They make the streets cleaner and safer for pedestrians and commuting cyclists.

Research commissioned by the European Union concludes that 25% of all goods and 50% of all light deliveries in urban settings could be serviced by cargo bikes. Around the world, customers of online retailers are increasingly purchasing everything from groceries to furniture. The expectation of immediacy, especially in urban centers, has led to massive traffic increases on city streets. Meanwhile, 87% of Millennials prefer to conduct business with socially and environmentally conscientious companies. In that context, informing your customers that their package has arrived using a sustainable and environmentally friendly means of transport could become a significant commercial advantage.

Benny Engelbrecht, the Danish Minister for Transport, declared in November 2019 at the inauguration of the DHL Copenhagen City Hub: “The bicycle can’t change the world, but it is damn close.” DHL has introduced cargo bikes in their services as one of the best possible modes of more sustainable transport for urban deliveries. Cities are also partnering with private delivery companies to promote cargo bikes as an alternative to delivery trucks. New York City recently announced a new program that is allowing pedal-assisted cargo bikes operated by Amazon, UPS, and DHL to park in existing commercial loading areas typically reserved for trucks and vans. UPS has been operating cargo bikes in several European cities after they were successfully tested in Hamburg, Germany in 2012.  

Cargo bikes are catching on outside of Europe, too. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, especially around the famous neighborhood of Copacabana, there are over 11,000 cargo bike deliveries made each day. According to the Brazilian NGO Transporte Ativo, "cargo bicycles are the best option for transporting goods over short distances and can easily be integrated into the city’s busy streets. Its use lightens the burden of motorized transport, such as congestion, parking issues, air pollution, and its impacts on climate change."

In Kigali, Rwanda, cargo bikes carry people and heavy loads of goods. Beyond their role in the transport of goods, they have also provided employment for thousands of young men as bicycle taxi drivers. In Lagos, Nigeria, cargo bikes are being utilized for garbage and waste collection.

The bright electric future ahead, led by bikes
According to Germany's Two-wheel Industry Association (ZIV), in the last year, electrically assisted cargo bikes have outsold electric cars in Germany with 39,000 sold versus 32,000 electric cars—an impressive when you consider that electric cars have benefited from substantial government subsidies, while e-bikes received only a small handout. Globally, Deloitte predicts that 300 million e-bikes will be out on the world's streets by 2023, representing a 50% increase over current numbers. These statistics seem to show that, despite all the attention around electric and autonomous vehicles, the future of e-mobility may actually be led by bikes. In the next five years, 40 million electric bikes will be sold worldwide, dwarfing the 12 million electric vehicles that will be hitting the roads over the same period. 

Copenhagen and Amsterdam are at the forefront of cargo bike use. Across the Copenhagen metropolitan area, around 40,000 cargo bikes are being used every day. In Copenhagen proper, the city has found that 26% of with two or more children own a cargo bike. In fact, the primary use of cargo bikes in Copenhagen is to get children around. In Amsterdam, 90% of cargo bikes are sold to moms and dads in search of a convenient, sustainable way to transport their kids.

The comeback of the cargo bike, with the exponential growth of the electric assisted market, seems to have a large potential not only for urban deliveries, but also for passenger transport, especially for families. Whether we live in the Global South or North, we will most likely see the e-cargo bike coming to our neighborhood in one form or another as a sustainable, convenient, and inclusive transport option.

One thing’s for sure: a future on two wheels is a greener, healthier one. A future that we can feel excited about.

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Reference: worldbank