Cargo Bikes as a Resilient Transport Mode in Emergency Scenarios

Kurzfassung

In crises such as power outages, natural disasters, or security-related disrup-tions, mobility systems must function under decentralized and resource-constrained conditions. Cargo bikes offer a promising yet underexplored con-tribution to resilience. They require no fuel or license, involve relatively low costs, and can be operated without specialized training, which makes them ac-cessible to both emergency services and communities. E-cargo bikes equipped with energy recuperation further increase their usability when infrastructures fail. This study examines the resilience potential of cargo bikes in diverse emergency scenarios, focusing on their role as complementary assets in crisis logistics. Using a qualitative multiple case study approach, it evaluates their performance along four criteria: operational resilience and suitability, institu-tional and community integration, contextual versatility, and cost and scalabil-ity. Findings indicate that cargo bikes cannot replace motorized transport but can fill critical gaps in last-mile delivery of essential goods, decentralized com-munication, and small-scale energy provision. Their independence from fuel supply chains, ease of deployment, and adaptability across different contexts position them as a low-threshold and cost-effective tool for strengthening sys-temic resilience in crisis response.