New York wants bigger cargo bikes for deliveries

New York City’s Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) has proposed the use of larger pedal-assisted cargo bikes in the city, saying it will make last-mile deliveries safer and more sustainable.

The proposal would allow cargo bikes to be up to 48 inches (122 cm) wide with up to four wheels, which would make them easier to pedal while carrying heavy loads.

Current rules restrict the bikes’ width to 36 inches (91 cm) and no fourth wheel.

“Greater use of cargo bikes will bring incredible environmental and safety benefits for New York City by reducing the number of large, high-polluting trucks on our streets,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez.

“Just two cargo bikes can replace one box truck, increasing safety and reducing CO2 emissions by 14 tons per year – equivalent to 30,872 passenger car miles travelled.”

Increase

Since the launch of a Commercial Cargo Bike pilot programme in 2019, cargo-bike deliveries have increased significantly in New York City.

In 2022, cargo bikes made more than 130,000 trips delivering over 5 million packages, resulting in the reduction of over 650,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions.

Based on trends in the freight delivery industry, NYC DOT has determined there is even more unmet demand that could be addressed through this proposed rule change.

“Cargo bikes can do the same work as a delivery truck without negatively impacting our neighbourhoods,” said Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director at tactical urbanism NGO Open Plans.

“They’re easier to navigate on narrow streets, take up far less space at the kerb, emit no air pollution, and sit silently – no idling engine noises – while workers deliver packages right to doors.

Paired with wider, safer bike lanes and reliable loading zones, cargo bikes are an excellent, efficient way to accommodate booming e-commerce in the 21st century.”

A public hearing on the proposed changes will take place on September 13, 2023.

More cargo bikes?

While still behind Europe and Asia in terms of using cargo bikes for deliveries, the US is starting to catch up.

Earlier this month the City of Boston and the Boston Transportation Department 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.

It 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.

Image: DHL