Cargo bikes are transforming urban logistics in Europe, offering a sustainable alternative to delivery vans.

The surge in online shopping, accelerated by COVID-19, has driven up the demand for package deliveries, and that demand continues to rise.

As traditional delivery methods contribute to urban traffic congestion and pollution, cargo bikes - a staple of bike-friendly countries like Denmark and the Netherlands - are becoming a common sight in cities across Europe as a sustainable and efficient alternative to vans.

These larger, typically electric bikes with separate carriers can transport a wide range of loads, from small parcels to larger items, making them ideal for urban deliveries.

In Europe, it is estimated that up to 50 per cent of motorised trips involving the transport of goods in cities could be made by cargo bikes and bicycles, according to a recent study.

  • @[email protected]English
    -11•14 hours ago

    As traditional delivery methods contribute to urban traffic congestion (…) cargo bikes (…) sustainable and efficient alternative to vans.

    so, we take something that has the same size as a van, but has 50 times lower capacity and is at least 10 times slower… how exactly does that help with the congestion? 😆

    • Pliny the Woo
      2•2 hours ago

      @14th_cylon @SteveKLord “A study from the University of Westminster, London, found that cargo bikes not only deliver faster than vans but also cut emissions by 90 per cent compared to diesel vans and when compared to electric vans reduce emissions by a third. “

    • @[email protected]English
      9•3 hours ago

      Are you suffering from an acute case of brain damage?

      so, we take something that has the same size as a van,

      The footprint of a cargo bike is at most a fourth of your average delivery van

      and is at least 10 times slower

      Cargo bikes are usually e-bikes, giving them a speed of at least 25 km/h. If you’re driving a van at 250 km/h in a city, that’s going to put you behind bars.

      Baffling levels of ignorance.

  • OddOpinions5
    -7•18 hours ago

    @SteveKLord
    I was born in 1953 and my image of people doing labor like this , based on how we perceived people in low income countries, is of a person whose body was worn out by age 30

    to a large extent progress is humans not having to do heavy manual labor
    sheesh

    • @[email protected]English
      5•13 hours ago

      Cargo bikes are smaller then vans. So you can get closer to the destination, without having to carry the parcel.

    • @puppyEnglish
      12•18 hours ago

      Yeah, instead we buy gym memberships and toil away at the gym. Or die of a heart attack by age 45. Progress!

      Sheesh.

    • teftEnglish
      7•16 hours ago

      Biking is not hard on your body at all. Plenty of people cycle well into their 70s.

      • @[email protected]English
        -6•12 hours ago

        yeah, hard physical work basically rejuvenates you… it is the latest secret of celebrities, they all do that instead of botox and spa…

    • SteveOPEnglish
      9•17 hours ago

      You seem to have missed the point of the article as it in no way was trying to propose more labor for working class people. In many ways it is trying to overcome the oppressive image that you have in your head. To a large extent, these changes are trying to advance human progress by overcoming the crises we find ourselves facing. You were born in 1953? That makes you about 70-71 but your profile says you’re 66 years old. That’s an odd inconsistency.

      • OddOpinions5
        -6•13 hours ago

        @SteveKLord

        1
        yeah, I lie about my age

        2
        re the 1,000x
        if you read the comments in the thread you posted, several people point out this is just ludicrouis

        so I"m not quite sure what I should have said to you when you post something that is absurd
        seriously, what am I to say ?

        • SteveOPEnglish
          7•13 hours ago

          Sir you are commenting in the wrong thread and the wrong community. Why do that here? I am not a moderator here. I did read all the comments a month ago when the discussion was current and active. You commented here in a combative way and then specifically went to an older post of mine and told me what "should be obvious to " me without any discussion of why or otherwise adding anything constructive. You received several downvotes and were asked to be more constructive. Instead you’ve doubled down here and repeated the insult.

    • JustinEnglish
      8•18 hours ago

      The majority of cargo bikes, especially those used for deliveries, are electric and don’t require manual labor.