It’s a familiar problem in downtowns throughout the U.S. — Large delivery trucks block traffic as the driver stops at the curb to drop off a single small package.
In an attempt to address the congestion caused by package deliveries, some cities are experimenting with bicycles to get packages to their final destination.
One high-profile effort is in New York City, where the Department of Transportation recently authorized the use of e-cargo bikes on city streets and established key safety standards.
“For too long, large trucks have been the only option, bringing congestion and pollution with them,” Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement. “Low- and no-emission cargo bikes are one of the ways that we’re changing that paradigm.”
A video posted by the city shows that the four-wheel e-cargo bike is just narrow enough to fit in a bike lane. The driver’s area is covered but has no doors, and a box in the back holds packages.
Cargo bikes are new to the U.S. but common in Europe — FedEx, DHL, and UPS are testing the concept there.
The September issue of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter looks at New York and other cities that are testing cargo bikes to address congestion. Click below to learn more about Downtown Idea Exchange and other resources for revitalizing downtowns and commercial corridors.