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San Francisco accelerates e-bike food delivery scheme
06 December 2023
by Christopher Carey
San Francisco is expanding efforts to get more food delivery services to use e-bikes instead of cars with a US$600,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Building on a US$2.4 million clean transportation grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) that supported the launch of the programme in spring 2023 for up to 30 participants, the new grant will double the number eligible to take part.
The pilot is exploring the potential for e-bike delivery to reduce traffic congestion, cut transportation-related emissions, and improve economics.
“This pilot is an example of how we are utilising innovation to help create solutions that are working towards our Climate Action Plan, reducing congestion on our streets, and supporting workers in San Francisco,” said Mayor London Breed.
Participants will be chosen from the original pool of applicants that applied in the spring of 2023 and from another round of open applications that will be publicised next spring.
How it works
Local food couriers working for delivery platforms – such as Grubhub, Uber Eats and DoorDash – can apply to the programme, and selected applicants must commit to delivering on an assigned e-bike and will be provided with helmets, locks, bags and training.
Participants will take surveys and participate in data collection to help the city understand their experience with e-bike deliveries. Additionally, participants will keep their e-bike and accessories at the end of the programme.
Analysis comparing outcomes for e-bike riders versus car-based delivery workers will include earnings, trip routes such as miles and duration, and total work time.
Once the DOE portion of the grant concludes, most likely in 2025, data will be compiled and then assessed.
Win-win
The San Francisco Environment Department (SFE) will study and report the pilot’s findings.
“The expanded programme is a win-win for our city,” said Tyrone Jue, Director of the San Francisco Environment Department.
“It helps our delivery workers earn more income, reduces traffic and pollution, and supports our climate goals.”
Over 40 percent of San Francisco’s carbon emissions come from fossil fuel vehicles.
The city has set a goal of achieving 80 percent of trips through low carbon modes of transport, such as biking, walking and mass transit.
The City of Arlington, Texas recently announced another project which received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. It will trial the use of drones and robots for food bank deliveries.
Image: philip-wyers-unsplash
