Cargo cycles for urban freight: The European experience

Abstract

Globally, cities face the challenges of growing urban freight transport demand and its harmful effects on the environment and quality of life. One potential approach towards more effective and environmentally-friendly urban commercial transport is the use of (electric) cargo cycles for different types of deliveries or service trips. Cargo cycles encompasses both two and three wheeled vehicles used to transport cargo. The speakers will provide a brief overview of European efforts, and will discuss in detail the German experience. This webinar will present German experiences to date with cargo cycles from three perspectives: private sector, public administration, and academia . The following topics will be addressed: - Examples, and best practices of cargo cycle pilot projects, and urban freight collaborations between companies and municipalities considering cargo bikes - Results and lessons learned from a two-year demonstration project (“I replace a car”) using 40 electric cargo cycles for courier logistics - Perspective and insights of the CEO of the involved courier logistics company (Messenger Transport+Logistik) - The relevance of cargo cycles for public authorities and transport planners, including legal issues - A classification of urban transport market segments in terms of existing or potential cargo cycle use - A categorization of factors that positively or negatively influence stakeholders' decisions to use cargo cycles