by Walther Ploos van Amstel
Susanne Balm, Project Leader, Sustainable Logistics at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, presents the results of a research survey into what technical operators expect from a hub for service logistics.
Cargo bikes are emission-free, environmentally friendly and low-noise vehicles. Cargo bikes have the potential to contribute to CO2-neutral city center logistics. Cargo bikes can also help reduce air pollution. Cargo bikes can make effective and economical logistics concepts possible, especially in the growing area of small consignments such as parcels.
To make the shift from van-based to e-cargobike-based last-mile delivery easier, Velove introduced Velovers: trained and certified e-cargobike couriers. Swedish Velove developed an award-winning e-cargo bike, the Armadillo, and a containerized last-mile delivery solution for this purpose. This solution is more productive, energy-efficient and city-friendly than any type of van for small parcel delivery in urban …
Within the Metamorphosis project, the municipality of Tilburg (NL) is experimenting with the use of cargo-bikes to transport materials for “street openings,” temporary installations with primary schools, and for all kinds of open-air activities. The municipality is showing local citizens and professionals that cargo bikes are easy to ride, eco-friendly and can carry heavy items …
Cargo bikes are emission-free, environmentally friendly and low-noise vehicles. Cargo bikes can be effective and economically sound city logistics concepts especially for the growing number of small shipments. The German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) set a target of 20% cargo bikes in city logistics.
Cargo bikes may be cleaner, faster and quieter. But today, cargo bikes are more expensive than light commercial vans. ‘Only local policy measures can reverse that.’ According to Jochen Maes (University of Antwerps in Belgium) they find it difficult to compete with the conventional delivery based on his Phd study.
The German NCP project “Cargo Bike Depot: implementing of depots in inner cities” investigates the traffic-, logistic- and citizen-friendly implementation of load handling nodes for cargo bikes in urban areas. One component of the research is the investigation of the effect of high cargo bike traffic intensities induced by the transshipment nodes on city streets …
Parcel delivery has been subject to significant paradigm shifts over recent decades, caused by urbanization. The economic development in the mid-1990s led to the rise of faster-growing medium-large-sized companies that specialized in the delivery of small parcels, giving birth to the Global Courier, Express, and Parcel (CEP) market.
The Dutch Hub Company develops and builds semi-mobile hubs for smart city logistics. Mobility points that are multi-functional. Not only smart in function but also in use. Creating new mobility solutions by making smart use of the available spaces in cities, using electric vehicles and cargo bikes in combination with a hub.
Completing urban freight deliveries is increasingly a challenge in congested urban areas, particularly when delivery trucks are required to meet time windows. Depending on the route characteristics, cargo bikes may serve as an economically viable alternative to delivery trucks.