The transition to zero-emission city logistics is not only about switching from diesel vans to electric ones. It’s also about rethinking the very vehicles we use. A recent study published in Future Transportation (2025) by Lucia Colonna, Edoardo Marcucci, Valerio Gatta, and Antonio Comi takes a deep look at one of the most promising alternatives for parcel deliveries: the cargo bike.
Using detailed operational data from Corro Corrieri Roma (CCR), the researchers compared real-life cargo bike deliveries in central Rome with simulated van deliveries on the same routes. Their results show that cargo bikes can play a far larger role in urban freight than many assume.
Why Rome?
Rome’s historic center — dense, congested, and full of restricted traffic zones — provides an ideal testing ground. The research analyzed one week of actual CCR deliveries (June 2024), involving six cargo bikes completing around 155 stops per day across the city’s central districts. These data were then matched with simulations of electric, diesel, and hybrid vans to assess environmental, economic, and social impacts.
Environmental impact: zero tailpipes, cleaner air
Even when compared with electric and hybrid vans, cargo bikes proved far superior in emissions. While the average van in the simulation emitted between 11 and 17 kg CO₂ per day, the cargo bikes produced none. Moreover, vans consumed far more energy per kilometre and contributed to air and noise pollution, persistent challenges in dense urban settings. The authors note that replacing even a small fraction of van deliveries with cargo bikes could substantially reduce the carbon footprint of last-mile logistics, especially in Europe’s historic cores.
Economic impact: cheaper to operate
Cargo bikes also come out ahead on costs. The study estimates a daily operating cost of €299 for a fleet of six cargo bikes, compared with €531 for two vans needed to perform the same deliveries. Investment and maintenance costs are dramatically lower as well: a new cargo bike costs around €2.200, versus €17.000 to 44.000 for vans. Labor remains the most significant single cost component, but the total cost per parcel is still significantly lower for cargo bikes.
Interestingly, the delivery rates charged to customers are currently higher for cargo bike services (€8 per delivery versus €4 for traditional couriers). The authors attribute this to the early stage of market adoption and smaller delivery volumes; wider use and better infrastructure could soon narrow that gap.
Social impact: safer, healthier, more inclusive
Cargo bikes don’t just clean the air — they reshape urban life. They reduce congestion, cut noise levels, and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists by removing heavy vehicles from narrow streets. Couriers report less physical strain than conventional cyclists, and the jobs are accessible to people without a driving licence, broadening employment opportunities. The reduced pollution and traffic also improve public health and overall quality of life in city centres.
Limitations and practical lessons
Of course, cargo bikes aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Their limited payload capacity and vulnerability to weather make them most suitable for short-distance, small-parcel deliveries. Success depends heavily on urban infrastructure — safe, wide cycle lanes, micro-hubs for consolidation, and supportive regulations. Rome’s topography (“the city of seven hills”) poses challenges, but electric-assist cargo bikes can overcome many of them.
Policy implications
The study reinforces the need for coordinated public policies to enable large-scale adoption. Cities should invest in cycling infrastructure, incentivize low-impact deliveries, and integrate cargo bikes into Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs). Rome’s SUMP already includes measures such as new bike lanes, parking at hubs, and incentives for active mobility — steps directly aligned with the European Green Deal.
Toward a new urban logistics paradigm
The findings from Rome echo trends seen in Copenhagen, Paris, and Amsterdam: cargo bikes are not a niche experiment but a cornerstone of sustainable city logistics. They can cut emissions, reduce congestion, and lower costs while enhancing livability. To unlock their full potential, cities need supportive infrastructure and business models that make cargo bike logistics scalable. The future of last-mile delivery isn’t just electric: it’s lighter, quieter, and pedal-powered.