Boston launches e-cargo bike delivery pilot

The City of Boston and the Boston Transportation Department have announced the launch of an e-cargo bike delivery pilot programme to serve local residents and businesses in the Allston neighbourhood.

Partnering with last-mile logistics provider Net Zero Logistics, the Boston Delivers programme will commence mid-September and run for at least a year, with the goal of supporting local businesses, reducing pollution, easing traffic congestion, and improving street safety.

The programme will also serve as a case study for The Urban Freight Lab at The University of Washington to help inform worldwide efforts to encourage deliveries on e-cargo bikes.

“The growth of car-based delivery services has negatively impacted our streets by adding congestion and increasing unsafe and illegal parking,” said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Boston’s Chief of Streets.

“This pilot will help us explore alternatives by offering convenient delivery options that support neighbourhood businesses while keeping our streets safe and moving.”

Throughout the project, the city will subsidise the delivery costs for up to eight businesses, with money from Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s (MassCEC) Accelerating Clean Transportation for All programme, which is funded by MassCEC and the Department of Energy Resources.

An additional US$345,000 from municipal funds will also go towards the programme.

The city reports that the rise in delivery services following the pandemic has resulted in more congestion outside local businesses and double-parking in bus, bike and vehicle travel lanes. This has led to “more conflicts among pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, which has increased the potential for serious injury”.

Key objectives

Several key learning objectives have been established for the pilot programme to help pave the way for the operation of e-cargo bikes.

These include: identifying the required policies and regulations; testing infrastructure changes such as e-cargo bike delivery zones, staging and sorting areas, and parcel lockers; measuring environmental, safety and economic benefits; and understanding the costs and feasibility of delivery for different types of businesses.

“The way our small businesses and residents use our city’s kerbs has changed over the last few years, and we’re launching Boston Delivers to explore how to make our streets flow more smoothly and safely for everyone,” said Mayor Michelle Wu.

“This bike delivery pilot will support restaurants with an affordable, green and convenient delivery option while reducing congestion on our streets.”

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