Tag Archive: logisitics

  1. Growing the supply of shared cargo bikes in Sweden

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    Source: Fietsberaad Crow

    Switching from motorised vehicles to cargo bikes for transporting goods in urban areas can significantly reduce emissions. However, the availability of shared cargo bikes remains limited. Researchers from Lund University in Sweden explored how to expand the supply and usage of shared cargo bikes, highlighting the critical role of municipal actors.

    The study combined a literature review with interviews involving 15 stakeholders, including representatives from two shared cargo bike providers: Grätzlrad in Vienna and LastenVelo in Freiburg. Grätzlrad, initiated by the municipality of Vienna, allows users to collect bikes from local managers, while LastenVelo, a citizen-led initiative, uses fixed parking spaces. Both platforms offer free bike loans, requiring only a deposit or administrative fee for registration. Currently, these services are primarily utilised by early adopters, mostly environmentally conscious, highly educated men who already rely on bikes as their main mode of transport. As a result, shared cargo bikes remain a niche service, not yet reaching a wide variety of population groups.

    Role of municipal actors

    The research emphasises that increasing the use of shared cargo bikes among diverse residents requires a variety of providers and user-friendly booking platforms. Municipalities play a pivotal role in this process by integrating cargo bikes into urban mobility planning and fostering growth through collaboration with different providers. For example, cities can directly offer shared cargo bike services, as seen with Vienna’s Grätzlrad. Alternatively, they can support citizen initiatives like LastenVelo by creating favorable legal frameworks or provide subsidies to commercial providers, provided they distribute bikes across targeted neighborhoods.

    Rental hubs and scaling up

    Beyond municipal efforts, organisations like Forum Freie Lastenräder, an association of free cargo bike providers across Germany, Austria, and Hungary, are essential for growing the shared cargo bike network. Station-based systems with automatic rentals are particularly promising for scaling up, as they are well-suited for goods transport. While free-floating systems, commonly used for shared bikes and scooters, are less ideal for cargo bikes, having these managed systems with administrators would be valuable, especially for first time users. These can provide a personal touch for first-time users. Strategic rental locations, such as shared mobility hubs, housing developments, and public transport stops, can further enhance accessibility.

    Click here to read the full study.

  2. Madrid Metro announces pilot project for parcel delivery

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    Source: The Mayor

    In an attempt to reduce street traffic, the city is incorporating the underground network into the logistics sector on a trial basis.

    Madrid’s’ regional government, responsible for overseeing the city’s metro network, has announced the launch of a 3-month pilot project that will use some of the underground network for merchandise deliveries. The goal is to reduce the number of cargo vehicles on city streets, easing traffic congestion and reducing pollution.

    The first phase of the project, developed in partnership with courier company GLS Spain, will involve Line 12, located in the southern part of Madrid. A designated train will be used to transport approximately 700 packages daily, operating between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM during off-peak hours.

    The train will only stop at four specified stations, where it will be loaded with goods. Metro Madrid staff will oversee the packages, and the loading/unloading process will be quick, taking only three minutes to avoid disrupting regular metro services.

    Stage two

    In the project’s second phase, set to begin in the last quarter of the year, the same approach will be expanded to Line 3, this time with a different courier company. In this phase, 400 parcels a day will be delivered to Embajadores station, from where they will be distributed to city-centre destinations using eco-friendly methods like bicycles or foot couriers with carts.

    Aligned with this project, the regional government is also working on establishing the future Logistics Agency of the Madrid Region, with the vision of turning the region into a benchmark for the distribution sector across southern Europe.

  3. Belgian bicycle logistics figures provide insight into growth potential

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    Source: fietsberaad Crow

    About 33 percent of the pre- and post-transport during the delivery of packages in Belgian cities could be done by bicycle, according to the Belgian Cycle Logistics Federation in its first Barometer of the bicycle logistics sector. Currently it is estimated that it is only one percent.

    The bicycle logistics sector in Belgium is growing rapidly, in the past two years the number of delivered packages grew from 250 thousand to 850 thousand and turnover and the number of people working in the sector doubled. They cycled more than a million kilometers in 2022 and a package delivered by them had a factor of 40 less CO2 emissions than with a conventional van.

    But things can still be much better, according to the Belgian Cycle Logistics Federation, an association of Belgian bicycle logistics companies with the aim of achieving the full potential of bicycle logistics to combat climate change, offer fair and good jobs in the transport sector, and participate in creating liveable and sustainable cities.

    In addition to data about the sector, the Barometer also contains a questionnaire survey among 55 bicycle couriers about the content of their work, how they experience it and what kind of contract they have. The challenges of the sector have also been identified. The most important one is that bicycle logistics is not yet sufficiently known among relevant stakeholders, which means that it is overlooked as a solution. Secondly, the sector still faces an economic challenge because it is relatively new. And thirdly, it is important that good quality infrastructure is created so that bicycle couriers can do their work safely. Finally, the barometer contains an overview of lessons from practice and a plan to further develop bicycle logistics in small steps to a market share of 33 percent.

    The Belgian Cycle Logistics Federation wants to publish this barometer annually from now on to map the progress of the sector.

  4. Freight Transport Bootcamp coming up in November 2023 at VUB Belgium

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    Interested industry professionals are called to participate in the Freight Transport Bootcamp scheduled for November 17, 2023, to be held at the U-Residence on the VUB Campus in Etterbeek.

    The primary goal of this intensive bootcamp is to delve into the challenges and opportunities that urban freight transport presents. It seeks to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and intricacies surrounding this critical aspect of urban infrastructure. The event will feature interactive workshops, expert lectures, real-world case studies, and hands-on activities.

    The bootcamp’s content spans a wide array of topics, including last-mile delivery, e-commerce, cargobikes, smart transportation systems, and policy interventions. The aim is to equip participants with practical insights to develop innovative and sustainable strategies capable of revolutionizing urban freight transport. These insights are founded on the “8 A’s” framework for creating a more sustainable transport system, which includes elements such as Awareness, Avoidance, Act and Shift, Anticipation of new technologies, Acceleration, Actor Involvement, Adapt behavior, and All in love.

    Importantly, the bootcamp is tailored to cater to a diverse range of participants. Urban planners, transportation professionals, policymakers, logistics managers, environmental enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and individuals passionate about crafting sustainable and efficient urban freight systems are all encouraged to attend. It extends its arms to both industry professionals looking to enhance their knowledge and students eager to explore sustainable transportation solutions.

    Attendees can expect to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and potential solutions in the realm of urban freight transport. The event offers a unique opportunity to learn from leading experts in the field, engage in collaborative discussions with peers from various backgrounds, and develop practical skills to address real-world problems.

    By participating in this bootcamp, individuals have the chance to contribute to making cities more livable, reducing environmental impact, and shaping the future of urban logistics. It is a valuable opportunity for industry professionals seeking to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving field and for students interested in sustainable urban development.

    Please note that registration for the bootcamp is mandatory, with a registration fee of €250 for general participants and a reduced rate of €100 for students.

    Follow the link for the agenda and further information.

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