As part of the DECARBOMILE Horizon Europe project, the Spanish city of Logroño has launched its first urban freight micro-hub and a public municipal cargo bike service to reduce emissions from last-mile deliveries. These initiatives underline the city’s growing commitment to rethinking urban logistics through sustainability and efficiency.
Developed with the support of the Municipality of Logroño, Intelligent Parking, and other local partners, the scheme positions Logroño as a leading model for low-emission freight transport in Europe.
The pilot includes a modular micro-hub next to the Revellín parking lot, equipped with:
Solar-powered units
Charging stations for electric cargo bikes
Secure digital access for logistics operators
This infrastructure enables goods to be transferred from vans to e-cargo bikes, ensuring cleaner, more sustainable deliveries.
In addition, citizens and businesses can access the municipal cargo bikes – each with a 100kg capacity – free of charge for up to four hours daily, supported by integrated digital tools. A public demonstration on 8 July 2025 successfully engaged couriers, merchants, and residents, encouraging wider adoption of the service.
The pilot will run until August 2026, with expansion plans including:
A second micro-hub at San Blas Market
Deployment of smart lockers
Real-time monitoring to track usage and emissions
The DECARBOMILE project aims to provide a replicable blueprint for sustainable urban freight across Europe, helping cities achieve climate goals while improving quality of life for residents. The project states on its website, “Logroño’s experience illustrates that with the right partnerships, citizen engagement, and technical support, European cities can rapidly transition toward cleaner, smarter logistics.”
Analysis of cycling data from Transport for London by the Clean Cities network has revealed that there was 104% increase in cargo bike use in London during the period from 2022-2024.
Clean Cities has also recently reported that diesel vans are now the biggest road source of NOx emissions in central London, highlighting the urgent need for non-polluting solutions. They have called for the rollout of a zero-emission zone for urban freight in the future.
Zak Bond, the Campaign Manager for Clean Cities, said, “Our analysis has shown that diesel vans are now the biggest road source of dirty air in central London. Shifting as many deliveries as possible to cargo bikes is essential. This increase in cargo bike use is a strong start, but local authorities must do more to support residents and businesses to use cargo bikes. That should include new grants which help those who need it most with the high upstart cost of a cargo bike.” He added, when speaking to Zag Daily: “London should learn from what works in other countries like the Netherlands. A zero-emission urban freight zone must be a true partnership between boroughs, industry and the Mayor.”
Diving deeper into the data, it was found that the rate of cargo bike increase was slower in 2023-2024 than in 2022-2023, leading Clean Cities to urge the Mayor of London and London Boroughs to re-start the momentum with measures such as grants, to help make cargo bikes more affordable for small businesses and residents.
The analysis was released alongside the sixth edition of the Cargo Bike Cruise, claimed as the largest convoy of cargo bikes in the world, and organised by the Sustainable Urban Freight Association (SUFA), Clean Cities and Team London Bridge.
SUFA Co-chair Lee Pugh said, “It’s great to see progress being made in London and across the UK. The Sustainable Urban Freight Association will lead a delegation to the International Cargo Bike Festival in Utrecht next month, where we will highlight this fantastic increase in delivery miles and work together with our European partners to accelerate the transition to cargo bikes and cleaner, more ethical goods transport.”
Jack Skillen, Director of Sustainability and Place at Team London Bridge, highlighted ways they are working to encourage wider use of cargo bikes. “The Cargo Bike Cruise shows how transformational the shift to cargo bikes can be for a business district like London Bridge, making deliveries less polluted, less noisy, and removing traffic and stress to create healthy streets. Our Cargo Bike Service Directory is helping businesses to take emissions out of their supply chains, with 100 services, from couriers to office supplies to waste, available locally on cargo bike. We encourage authorities to support this momentum, and operators and service providers to change their own logistics to cargo bikes where feasible. The Cruise is made up of inspiring businesses leading the way.”
Internationally, cargo bikes are becoming more widely recognised for their logistics potential. In Seattle, the city’s Department of Transportation is considering new rules for the use of electric cargo bikes to address a range of issues: freeing up curb space, easing congestion and reducing emissions. A 2023 study which analysed Seattle-based cargo bike riders found that they were able to keep moving 40% of the time compared to 20% for delivery drivers, as there was less time spent looking for parking in congested areas. As a result, the average trip time per parcel by cargo bike was 2.2 minutes, compared to 6.2 minutes for a delivery van.
LEVA-EU member Promovec has been showcasing its own new brand, Humber cargo bikes, and British e-bike brand Batribike, at expo events organised by bicycle wholesaler Søndergaard & Sønner, and at Promovec’s own CYKELLIV fair in Aarhus, Denmark.
Humber Bicycles is a new e-cargo bike line launched by Promovec, with both two- and three-wheeled versions available to suit a variety of rider needs. Promovec states that they are durable, reliable, and designed with usability and smart details in mind.
Batribike is a British e-bike brand which is now relaunching onto the Danish market with new models specifically tailored to Scandinavian riders. The e-bikes, which come to Denmark in familiar designs but with upgraded, high-quality components, are available in three price categories.
Promovec has initially revealed the Humber and Batribike models at Søndergaard & Sønner expo events in Sabro and Tasstrup, ahead of a formal launch at their own CYKELLIV fair from September 21-23 at their facilities in Aarhus.
Healthier workforce: Regular cycling leads to fitter staff and fewer sick days.
Comparable capacity: Despite appearances, reduced route distances mean bikes can match vans in total deliveries over time.
Why 2025 Is the Year to Buy
Right now, e-bike prices are at rock bottom. Oversupply from the pandemic boom, paired with cost-of-living pressures, has left retailers heavily discounting 2025 stock. By 2026, prices are expected to stabilise—so there may never be a better time to buy.
Rising Transport Costs
Train fares are up again (this year by 4.6%), and car insurance and fuel remain unpredictable. Compare that with e-bike costs: per-mile electricity costs average just 1/7th of a penny, with only minimal maintenance thereafter.
Try Before You Buy
Cycling Electric’s nationwide Demo Day events give you the chance to test ride e-bikes, speak to experts, and experience different models. One final event remains at Herne Hill on September 7th.
Productivity & Predictability
Cycling doesn’t just cut costs, it boosts performance. Studies link daily active travel to sharper focus, better memory, and greater workplace productivity. Employers benefit too, with returns estimated at up to €6.50 for every €1 invested in cycle-to-work schemes.
Meanwhile, in congested cities, bikes flow predictably through traffic, offering reliable journey times that cars simply can’t match.
Safer Than the Headlines Suggest
Despite negative press, lab data shows genuine e-bikes are extremely safe, with no evidence of battery fires from leading brands. Risks are mainly associated with uncertified conversion kits, not fully manufactured models.
Wider Benefits for Society
Cities that prioritise cycling enjoy cleaner air, reduced noise, safer streets, and stronger retail performance. With e-bikes requiring 200 times fewer raw materials than small EVs, their sustainability advantage is undeniable.
Whether you’re a business seeking efficiency, a commuter dodging rising travel costs, or simply someone looking to live and work smarter, e-bikes offer a rare win–win: saving money while improving wellbeing and the environment.
With 41% of Germany’s passenger travel being work-related, more could be done to expand the share that is completed by e-bike. A range of experts in Germany’s e-bike, cycling and business sectors spoke to Velobiz about the untapped potential – particularly for shorter journeys.
Six senior figures were posed the question “Where do you see untapped potential for bicycles in corporate mobility, and how can this potential be tapped?”
A variety of factors and usage scenarios were examined to determine what steps can be taken to further encourage the switch to e-bikes, cargo bikes and conventional cycles for work-related travel.
Creating a cargo bike-friendly environment
Carina Heinz, Consultant at the German Institute of Urban Affairs, viewed the situation from a municipal perspective and highlighted the great potential for cargo bike use to be maximised. “Municipalities play a key role in unlocking this potential: They are the driving force! On the one hand, they can set a good example themselves – for example, by integrating cargo bikes into municipally owned operations, public utilities, or administrative fleets. On the other hand, they can create the right framework for companies to also embrace cycling: by designating suitable delivery and loading zones, providing safe parking and charging infrastructure, implementing targeted funding programs, and supporting corporate mobility management processes.”
Eileen Niehaus, Managing Director of transport transition agency Cargobike.jetzt, agrees that there is enormous potential for the deployment of cargo bikes and trailers, specifically in the commercial sector for the delivery of medium-weight, not-too-bulky goods. “Especially as a supplement to existing fleets, bicycles offer enormous advantages: time savings by avoiding traffic jams and no longer having to search for parking spaces, savings in purchase and maintenance, the ability to employ employees without a driver’s license, and much more.”
Eileen went on to share details of a website they have created, cargobikes4business.com, which aims to better inform business owners about which type of cargo bike or trailer set-up would be most suitable for their business. She also emphasises the importance of trying some of the options out: “When businesses test bikes or trailers, they can best see how useful they are and even how fun they can be.”
The outlook for commuters
Axel Schäfer, Managing Director of the Federal Association for Corporate Mobility, shared data from their own survey which shows that over a quarter of employees have short commutes of five kilometers or less, but still more travel by car than by bike. Encouragingly, however, 21% of employees indicate they plan to change mobility behaviour in the next few years, and cycling features in those plans.
Axel highlights how a combination of employer policies and municipal measures can facilitate this switch: “Companies can tap into this potential by actively facilitating cycling: company bike leasing, secure parking spaces, charging infrastructure for e-bikes, and showers and changing rooms at the workplace are key factors. However, it is also crucial that municipalities provide continuous and safe bike paths. Only the combination of employer-provided services and good infrastructure creates the foundation for cycling to become a viable alternative in everyday working life.”
Berthold Schröder, President of the Chamber of Crafts (HWK) Dortmund, agrees that a bike-positive employment situation can be the deciding factor for potential employees: “Some companies, both in urban and rural areas, already offer their employees company bikes. There are many reasons for this. In addition to environmental and health concerns, such an offer can increase employer attractiveness—an important factor in the competition for skilled workers.”
Berthold also notes that German people are travelling longer distances by bike – a point which is expanded on by Sarah-Helene Sowa, Head of Sustainability at Riese & Müller. “E-bikes offer enormous potential for companies, which has often not yet been fully exploited. They offer employees the opportunity to easily cover even longer commutes and journeys to work, while still arriving at work in an active yet relaxed manner. The advantages are particularly evident in urban environments: no traffic jams, no long searches for parking spaces, and in many cases, even significantly faster journeys than by car. Cargo bikes further expand this spectrum by offering the necessary storage space for work materials or personal errands.”
Amelie Suttner, Project Manager for Conferences and Community at consultancy organisation Velokonzept, concurs that cycle-friendly employer policies and facilities have a part to play, but goes further. “What’s crucial are the people who bring enthusiasm into the company – ambassadors and motivators who engage colleagues, inspire them, and make them want to cycle. This is how, step by step, a mobility culture emerges in which cycling becomes a matter of course – and offers lead to real (behavioural) change.”
Sarah-Helene agrees that company culture is crucial: “Management also plays a key role: When executives get on their bikes themselves, they send a clear signal: Sustainable mobility is not just a concept, but part of a lived corporate culture.”
Following the acquisition of LEVA-EU member DOCKR by Today earlier this year, the brand’s cargo bikes will be available on a subscription basis, via a new service aimed at families, freelancers and small businesses across Europe.
The service will begin to roll out in key European cities this summer, and is expected to cost under €200 per month with maintenance included, plus optional extras such as insurance and theft cover. Users will manage their subscription through the Today app, which offers real-time support, trip tracking and service scheduling.
The launch of the service marks a new consumer-focused avenue for DOCKR cargo bikes, which have previously been used in B2B contexts. Kees Jan Blankestijn, Chief Operating Officer at Today, said, “We’ve seen the demand firsthand and know the use cases – whether it’s families doing the school run, gig workers hauling gear, or small businesses making local deliveries. Our vehicles are purpose-built for these needs, and now they’re more accessible than ever.”
Today CEO, Sean Flood, observed that although there are many e-bike subscription services available, e-cargo is missing from the mix. “These are true vehicle replacements that can carry children, groceries, etc, and the upfront cost of purchasing new is currently a huge barrier to utilisation for a lot of families. By offering an all inclusive, flexible product, we think it opens this segment up to so many new customers.” He added, “If we want widespread adoption of electric bikes, we need to remove friction. that means flexibility, simplicity, and real value – plus the tech and service to back it up.”
Although figures from 2024 reveal that Switzerland’s bike secctor has experienced a decline in revenue, its cargo bike segment remains promising, with a 22% increase in sales.
2024 bicycle sales results in Switzerland
The Swiss bicycle market saw a surprising trend in 2024, with higher unit sales but reduced overall revenue. According to the latest Velohandel Schweiz 2025 market bulletin, published by the Swiss bicycle communications office Dynamot, approximately 453,000 bicycles and e-bikes were sold in Switzerland, an increase of around 7% compared to the previous year. However, total revenue fell by over 6% to CHF 1.81 billion, marking the lowest turnover for the sector since 2018.
Overstock and discounts undermine profitability
The primary factor behind the decline in sales revenue was the widespread liquidation of overstocked inventory, a consequence of the pandemic-era supply surplus. To clear excess stock, both retailers and manufacturers resorted to steep discounts, significantly compressing profit margins. The closure of specialist stores under the Migros Group – namely SportX and Bike World – intensified the market’s price competition, with some manufacturers slashing their own suggested retail prices by up to 50%.
Workshop services and accessories offer stability
Despite challenges in retail sales, several areas provided a measure of stability for the Swiss bike trade. Sales of accessories and spare parts rebounded following a sluggish performance in the previous year. Notably, the workshop and service sector saw record revenues in 2024, underlining the growing importance of after-sales services in the overall business model of specialist retailers.
Cargo bikes: a promising standout in the Swiss market
While traditional mountain bikes saw declining interest, certain niche categories delivered promising growth. Sales of gravel bikes rose by 15%, while cargo bikes surged by 22%. The popularity of cargo bikes was driven by the introduction of more compact, urban-friendly models. These segments not only showed strong sales momentum but also experienced healthier inventory levels and more stable pricing conditions.
Regional comparison with Germany
Switzerland’s market dynamics closely mirrored those in neighbouring Germany. The German Bicycle Industry Association (ZIV) reported a 2.5% drop in unit sales and a 10% decline in turnover, bringing total 2024 sales to €6.33 billion. Like in Switzerland, German retailers contended with warehouse overhangs and aggressive discounting, leading to an average e-bike price drop of more than 10%.
Despite the downward pressure on margins, the German workshop sector remained a vital source of revenue, and product trends followed a similar trajectory: classic mountain bikes lost traction, while gravel and cargo bikes gained popularity, aided by leasing models and municipal subsidy programs.
Outlook for 2025
Looking ahead, both the Swiss and German markets anticipate further adjustments in 2025, with expectations for more stable pricing in high-demand segments. In Germany, initiatives such as service bike leasing, public funding, and improved cycling infrastructure may help to enable growth.
In Switzerland, the importance of workshop services is expected to increase further, and industry stakeholders are anticipated to focus toward higher-margin product groups to counterbalance the revenue shortfalls seen in recent years.
The International Cargo Bike Festival (ICBF) has officially released the second edition of its English-language magazine dedicated to the global role of cargo bikes in sustainable urban mobility, social innovation, and community development.
The new edition was unveiled on 13 June at a special launch event in Hamburg, held in collaboration with the local Cargobike Collective. The event featured a series of presentations and networking sessions that focused on the growing role of cargo bikes in urban logistics and transport innovation.
Building on the success of its debut, this second edition of Carrier expands both its content and distribution. While the first edition was primarily circulated among attendees of the International Cargo Bike Festival, the latest release is now available to a global audience. The magazine can be purchased through the ICBF webshop and selected retail stores, including specialized bike dealers and bookstores.
Carrier continues to highlight the wide-ranging applications of cargo bikes, from community-driven initiatives to long-distance adventures and cutting-edge delivery solutions. The current issue features case studies and stories from around the world, including grassroots projects in the Philippines, Spain, Germany, Mali, and Chile, as well as personal narratives from Mongolia and Norway.
With its broadened reach and compelling global insights, Carrier reinforces ICBF’s mission to elevate the cargo bike as a critical tool for sustainable cities and resilient communities.
Cargobike brand and LEVA-EU member Antric has announced its sales partnership with advertising company Sprotten Werbung.
Sprotten Werbung has launched its new website, which prominently promotes Antric cargo bikes as the company’s selected eco-friendly logistics solution for advertising projects. The company also announced its role as a sales partner for selling Antric bikes as advertising solutions, allowing customers to test and purchase directly through them, with home delivery included.
