by Walther Ploos van Amstel
Between September 2023 and February 2025, the City of Boston tested a new model for sustainable neighborhood deliveries through the Boston Delivers pilot project. This initiative replaced conventional delivery vans with electric cargo bikes to serve local businesses and organizations in Allston, Brighton, and surrounding neighborhoods. The Boston Transportation Department (BTD) partnered with Net Zero …
Cycle logistics has seen impressive growth in recent years, emerging as a vital part of urban freight systems across Europe. Unlike app-based platform couriers, cycle logistics operators have evolved organically from a wide range of origins — from major logistics providers to cooperatives and even public institutions. This diversity in origins reflects the sector’s adaptability, …
Urban mobility transitions are crucial for mitigating climate change and enhancing urban quality of life. Cargo bikes (CBs) offer a sustainable alternative to motorized vehicles thanks to their lower carbon footprint, space efficiency, and ability to reduce air and noise pollution. Cargo bike sharing (CB-sharing) promotes adoption by eliminating purchase and maintenance costs, though individuals …
Transport for London (TfL) has unveiled the new London Safety Standard for Cargo Bikes, fulfilling a key commitment from its Cargo Bike Action Plan (CBAP) published in March 2023. The standard was developed in collaboration with industry stakeholders and aims to promote safe practices as cargo bike usage grows across the capital. Raising Safety Standards …
Zedify announced that their journey might be coming to an end. Cambridge-based cargobike delivery service company Outspoken Logistics—trading as Zedify—has been placed in administration with the appointed administrators hoping for a quick sale to protect 38 out of 139 jobs. In March 2023, Outspoken Logistics secured $6.4 million in funding from institutional and angel investors. …
The transport sector in Germany is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the urgent need for innovative and sustainable transport solutions. While cargo bikes have proven effective in urban settings, their potential in rural areas remains underexplored. To address this gap, RADLÄR, a newly launched research project, aims to identify the needs, applications, …
Urban transportation is evolving rapidly with advancements in micro-mobility, driven by sustainable infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT) applications, and compact electric vehicles. Entrepreneurs leverage these innovations to create new transportation solutions while navigating complex regulatory landscapes. A recent study conducts a comprehensive literature review to identify opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship within micro-mobility. It examines …
After more than 1.5 years of work involving 35 experts and resulting in 425 pages of valuable content, the German book Radlogistiek (Bicycle Logistics – Basics of Logistics and Commercial Transport with Cargo and Transport Bikes) is now available. Businesses, administrations, and other stakeholder groups still need to know about cargo bikes. Radlogistik aims to …
Cargo bikes may be recognized as a cost-effective and adaptable solution for last-mile goods transportation. However, few studies have examined the factors essential for their sustainable operation and effectiveness as the final segment of a green, efficient, and socially beneficial supply chain. To address this gap, the authors of a recent paper systematically collected and …
A recent paper aims to provide operational insights into the use of cargo cycles, utilizing delivery data from two case studies and interviews. It demonstrates the circumstances under which cargo cycles can complement vans effectively. Cargo bikes can only replace certain activities within a transport system. Their practical implementation in cities depends on various factors, …