Commercial bicycle use: potentials, constraints, and recommendations

Abstract

Cargo cycles may play a significant role supplying urban centers contributing to decrease harmful commercial transport externalities. Some companies have already projected first pilots using cargo cycles in order to assess technologically and economically feasible use cases. However, a structural overview about relevant market segments of commercial cargo cycle use and suitable recommendations is missing. This contribution provides results from an extensive empirical survey, based on desk research and 45 expert interviews with corporate fleet managers, urban planners, and representatives from municipalities and bicycle associations. Hidden potentials are not only in logistics industries, but also in businesses offering home deliveries and other services. Knowledge of drivers, constraints and companies’ requirements allows deriving recommendations for municipalities to stimulate the market penetration of cargo cycles. Recommendations address regulative frameworks, strategic urban planning, infrastructural adjustments, testing programs, collaborations with the private sector, platforms for knowledge transfer, and use of cargo cycles within authorities.