The ICBF Magazine 2021 by International Cargo Bike Festival

THE ICBF MAGA Z I NE 2021

# DECADEOF TH ECARGOBI KE

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THE ICBF MAGAZINE 2021

Care to join? Follow our journey:

Preface In a world where everything changes we are happy to provide a modest anchor by publishing the 6th edition of the ICBF Magazine. It is clear that the cargo bike revolution is growing and spreading globally. So we are very glad that we can offer you a glimpse of many new international examples of this revolution. In this magazine you’ll find articles about waste collection and recycling in Romania and in Jinja, Uganda. There is an article about cargo bikes in Ecuador. Canada is represented with interesting articles from Vancouver and Toronto, including a novelty: the ‘Decade of the Cargo Bike Rap’ by Abdominal. Developments in Europe seem to accelerate every year. What to think about hydrogen fuel cells in cargo bikes? ‘All about Hydrogen’ and the city of Arnhem are working on a HydroCargo Bike in cooperation with the University of Applied Sciences of Arnhem and Nijmegen - find out more on page 31. The growth of the use of e-cargo bikes and other light electric vehicles requires

Colophon

legal and technical regulation in order to guarantee safety for riders and other users of the urban landscape. The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure & Water

The ICBF Magazine 2021 is a publication

Management is working on these new regulations and we are involved as

external experts on the subject.

Commissioner Jos Sluijsmans

Next year we really hope to welcome all of you in person at the live International

Coordination Karin Veenendaal

Cargo Bike Festival 2022. Stay tuned via our website and social media for up-

Editor Tom Parr

dates about the venue and dates. We’re already working on making it the best

Design Avancé Communicatie

edition yet.

Print Zalsman Cover photo DOCKR www.cargobikefestival.com

For now, enjoy the ICBF Magazine 2021! Jos Sluijsmans Director of the International Cargo Bike Festival

@cargobikefest

#DecadeoftheCargoBike

CONTENTS 4

Interview with Jos Sluijsmans & Tom Parr

Dutch framework for Light Electric Vehicles

Curbing Traffic - Melissa & Chris Bruntlett

Bixicargo Ecuador - David Alcivar

Wait, Mr Postman - Hivebox

Recicleta Romania - Gabriela Iordan

Cargo bikes in Edinburgh - Kim Harding

Cargo bikes in the picture

Getting to Zero - Sam Starr

In the making CargoBEIC

Our Greenway - Darnel Harris

Hydrocargo Bike - Frank Mietes

Decade of the Cargo Bike Rap - Abdominal

Because your cargo matters! - Hivebox

In retrospect: ‘Go Electric’ research project

Groningen: Cargo Bike Capital

Johanneke Heijting, portrait of a female gardener

Velo-city Conference 2021

CycleSpark - Christiaan Suurmeijer

Cargo bikes in perspective - Irfan Iskender

Roadside Recovery - by Cargo Bike

Cargo bike emoji - David Majarich

Bike2Clean - Luuk Eickmans

“THERE ARE EXCITING AND INSPIRING INITIATIVES ALL AROUND THE WORLD” JOS SLU IJSMANS AND TOM PARR LOOK BACK ON A TU M U LTUOUS P ERIOD AND SHARE TH EI R THOUGHTS ABOUT THE FUTURE

There’s no avoiding the subject; 2020 will forever be the year when COVID-19 paralysed our way of life. And of course it also had a big impact on the cargo bike industry. But not all in a bad way, according to Jos and Tom. To their surprise it also acted as an accelerator for many promising new developments. Most of you know Jos Sluijsmans as the founding father

From shock to recovery

and Director of the International Cargo Bike Festival

Tom and Jos met during a summer course on ‘Planning

(ICBF). Tom Parr, his right-hand man, became actively

the Cycling City’. Jos was taking part in an event on the

involved with the ICBF in 2019 when the annual festival

sidelines and they hit it off. In 2018 they started working

took place in Groningen. Before we dive into more pressing

together for the first time. Now Tom is co-organiser of

matters, a small introduction of Tom is in order for those

the ICBF and in charge of the social media channels,

who have not met him yet.

communications and registrations. Jos: “We really work well together. Tom strives for perfection where I am more

Tom: “I grew up in Macclesfield, a small town near

the guy of the broad brush strokes. And not unimportantly:

Manchester in northern England. Back in 2016, after

he’s a very pleasant person to have around.”

spending time living in London and Australia, I took a leap of faith and took a boat to the Netherlands. I’ve never looked back; I really like the way of life over here. The cycling infrastructure is great. You don’t have to worry about being knocked off your bike. Cycling is embedded in the culture - it’s just normal. So normal, most Dutch don’t realise how special it is compared to elsewhere.”

THE ICBF MAGAZINE 2021

‘We feel the urge to tell and show policy makers the added value of our i ndustry’

How do the two look back on this past period? “At first we

Cargo Bike Expertise and Innovation Centre *. Tom: “We are

were in shock”, explains Jos. “Things really escalated with

still developing the idea. Our aim is to have a permanent

the pandemic just one month before ICBF 2020. It – like

physical space as well as a digital hot spot for the cargo

so many other events – had to be cancelled. Pretty much

bike industry. There are many interested parties, and we’re

everything was set up and ready to go, so we really had to

working on funding and venues.”

pick ourselves up.” And so they did. Tom: “In retrospect we adapted pretty well. We organised a digital ‘Cargo Bike

Jos adds: “The funny thing is, there is a group in Cana-

Meetup’ event and produced the 2020 ICBF Magazine,

da with the same plans. So perhaps they’ll beat us to it.”

which reached a significant audience. We also intensified

Laughs: “No, not frustrating at all. We would love to help

our social media output. We now have over 16000 followers

and it just shows that we are on the right track. People are

- there’s a lot of really great engagement there.”

ready for it.” Another initiative is a lobby organisation specifically for the cargo bike industry. “There are many

New initiatives

lobby groups for cycling in general but none specific to

Jos continues: “The ICBF is partnering with the Velo-city

cargo bikes. We feel the need to demonstrate the added

Conference 2021 in Lisbon. We will be present with the

value of our industry to policy makers” Tom continues:

Dutch Cycling Embassy and will participate in several

“But also, for example, to get people thinking about new

sessions in the programme. In November we will be

upcoming traffic regulations which will have an impact on

participating at the COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow,

the usage of cargo bikes.”

presenting research on the emissions of light electric vehicles.” Creating home grown, local industries On top of this, they’ve also found the energy to start two

According to Jos and Tom the momentum is building and

new initiatives. Jos: “Since we could not hold physical

potential is growing. They are astonished and pleasantly

events in 2020 or 2021 we started searching for an alter-

surprised by the many new initiatives and projects popping

native. What could we offer to the cargo bike community

up all over the world. Tom: “It’s almost impossible to keep

and industry in these strange and troubling times?” The

up with all these developments. Even Macclesfield, my

idea of a permanent centre was born. CargoBEIC: the

home town, has a cargo bike delivery business. How great

CONTINUES ON PAGE 6

is that! And we also root for any initiative outside of Europe. For developing countries in particular, cargo bikes can be a game-changer. It would be great if we could stimulate home grown, local cargo bike industries and ecosystems in places like that.” Jos: “It’s high time to scale up. And luckily it’s happening. You see more and more cargo bikes being used, for example in service logistics. So, to carry out services rather than transport things. This is something we did not foresee a few years ago, but it’s great because these developments stimulate changes in the design of our cities. We need to rethink how cities are planned, find ways to diminish the dominance of cars and make way for more sustainable ways of transport. I hope cargo bike containerisation – which we have been talking about for years – will also make this jump forward. The sooner the better.” Essentially priceless values It’s obvious. Their love of the cargo bike and it’s many, many possibilities hasn’t faltered. Jos: “Sometimes it frustrates me that people - or rather politicians - still don’t see the full potential. They just look at it in terms of revenue. But there are over 30000 people employed in the bicycle industry in the Netherlands. And there are other values. Values which are hard to put a price tag on, but are essentially priceless: health benefits, noise reduction, cleaner cities, social cohesion.” Tom: “Sometimes we are so caught up in all the exciting developments that we almost lose track of why we started. It comes from a deeply felt wish for a better, greener, healthier world.” Jos concludes: “It’s very promising that we’ve received requests from various cities for the ICBF to be held there. It’s also encouraging that, for the first time, Velo-City in Lisbon will pay serious attention to the usages and advantages of cargo bikes. It’s hopeful and that’s what keeps us going!” Text and photos: Karin Veenendaal

* S E E PA G E 3 0 F O R M O R E I N F O R M ATI O N O N C A R G O B E I C

T H E I CN BT FE RMN A GT IAOZNI NA LE C2 A0 R2 G1 O B I K E F E S T I V A L 2 0 2 1

‘It comes from a deeply felt w ish for a better, greener, healthi er world’

DRIVE CHANGE / Introducing: The Family Anniversary. Our new cargo bike made in honour of our 10th anniversary: A decade of cargo bikes. urbanarrow.com/10

TH E ACCESSIBLE CITY “PEOPLE AREN’T DISABLED. THE ENVIRONMENT THEY LIVE IN IS.” – KAREL DOLLEKENS

In Curbing Traffic: The Human Case for Fewer Cars in Our Lives, Melissa and Chris Bruntlett chronicle their experience living in the Netherlands and the benefits that result from treating cars as visitors rather than owners of the road.

Over many years of advocacy work, we’ve witnessed the

Disabled and non-disabled

role the humble bicycle can play in granting autonomy to

Although we are lucky enough to consider ourselves

virtually everyone, starting at the earliest age; from wat-

‘non-disabled’, we are acutely aware that like everyone,

ching our own children grow up on two wheels, to seeing

we are ‘temporarily abled-bodied’; likely to experience

countless cities around us evolve to get more people

disability at some point over our lives (something that

riding more often. A central goal for many of these cities

will only become more prevalent; given increasing elderly

developing networks of infrastructure is that it be for ‘all

populations). We have also had countless conversations

ages and abilities’. But the reality on streets and in public

with people living with chronic illnesses that vary, such as

spaces often falls short of that goal. High curb heights, in-

rheumatoid arthritis , helping us to appreciate that disabled

sufficient curb cuts, narrow sidewalks and bike lanes, and

and non-disabled people are not two entirely distinct and

a lack of storage facilities let people down, especially those

fixed groups. We saw firsthand that many cities needed to

living with physical disabilities.

be better to help these people – and eventually ourselves – maintain their independent mobility.

THE ICBF MAGAZINE 2021

Move freely and independently So, when we traveled to the Netherlands for the first time and saw how this fietsparadijs (‘bicycle paradise’) was also allowing people with handcycles, tricycles, tandems, and a variety of other adapted devices to move freely and independently, we were amazed. What was built to make cycling easier was also making life easier for those historically underserved in the transport world. Our hometown of Delft is no exception. On every outing, we see people of all ability levels walking, scooting, and cycling along the fietspaden (‘bicycle paths’) and fietsstraten (‘bicycle streets’). Inclusive and welcoming streets When it comes to building more inclusive and welcoming streets, what exactly sets the Netherlands apart? What explains the empowering and emancipating conditions people with disabilities enjoy? The secret lies not in a specific piece of legislation, but with a single book: the CROW Design Manual for Bicycle Traffic ; widely regarded

as the best bikeway engineering guide in the world. But it is much more than that. It ensures networks of active travel infrastructure can be accessed by the greatest number and diversity of participants, through design and proximity, making them inclusive and intuitive for everyone. It contains specific requirements about physical segregation, cycle track width, and gradient steepness. Like the abundant curb cuts, ramps, and pedestrian bridges that double as cycling bridges (and therefore lack stairs) seen across every Dutch city, these are the unexpected benefits of orientating your built environment around the bicycle. Cities that work for cycling also work for people using wheelchairs, strollers, rollators, and many other types of mobility devices.

From Curbing Traffic: The Human Case for Fewer Cars in Our Lives by Melissa Bruntlett and Chris Bruntlett. Copyright © 2021 and photos by Melissa Bruntlett and Chris Bruntlett. Reproduced by permission of Island Press, Washington, D.C.

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WAIT, MR POSTMAN, LOOK AND SEE German manufacturer VSC.Bike makes cargo bikes for mail carriers. And they need to meet high demands: the cargo bikes and their transport boxes need to be sturdy, weatherproof and ergonomically designed. A piece of cake for VSC. Bike, thanks to the Hivebox. Using the VSC cargo bike with the

Bergmann GmbH specifically for

Hivebox to deliver letters is ideal for

mail deliveries. And not only is the

mail carriers. The super light and yet

box light, durable and weatherproof.

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Thanks to the sturdy walls and the

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entirely from lightweight

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panels

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theft.

For mail carriers, made

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When the huge postal company heard

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help of the VSC Hivebox.

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Feedback from a Deutsche Post mail carrier Tailor-made for special purposes

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carpenter’s workshop Bächer

THE ICBF MAGAZINE 2021

info@hivebox.bike

CARGO BIKES IN EDINBURGH: A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE We asked Kim Harding, founder and director of the Edinburgh Festival of Cycling, to share his thoughts on the latest developments in Edinburgh, Scotland. His account is very relatable. For example, he recognises the unforeseen positive effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on sustainable transport and the arrival of new last-mile cargo bike operators. As a long time observer of cargo bikes, I can say that ten or

unreliable home built bike with two Riese & Müller Packers.

more years ago, if you saw a cargo bike in Edinburgh, it was

The Brazilian cargo trike has been replaced with an

a novelty. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying there weren’t

Urban Arrow XL. The original cargo bike courier is no longer

any; they were just very rare. There was/is a Brazilian street

in business, but new last-mile cargo bike operators have

food stall near the city centre that used a cargo trike. There

arrived on the scene.

was/is a soup cafe delivering with a home-built e-assist cargo bike.

Stimulated by the pandemic Recent opportunities to promote cargo bike use in the city

The first couriers and family bikes

have included the extension of a tram-line in Leith, which

Around 2010 the first cargo bike cycle courier with a Larry

involved major road closures. Sustainable transport charity

vs. Harry Bullitt arrived. Family cargo bikes also existed;

Sustrans has also provided a cargo bike library to show

there was a single wooden bakfiets (cargo bike) and Nihola

businesses what is possible. The pandemic also stimulated

trike, but these seemed to be the only ones in the city.

cargo bike use; a couple of charities started using them

In 2013 things started to change with the arrival of the

to deliver waste food from supermarkets to those in need.

first Urban Arrow family cargo bike. Why was this such a

Once again a demonstration that cargo bikes can carry as

game-changer? Simple: the topography of Edinburgh; it’s

much as a van with much lower running costs.

not flat. You can’t go far without having to go up (or down) hill. Without e-assist, this can be challenging. It was also

The days when, if you had told me that you had seen a cargo

notable that this was a family bike.

bike in Edinburgh and whereabouts in the city it was, and I could have told you who was riding it, are now long gone.

Expanded range of services

The city is all the better for this.

Over the next few years, most cargo bike sales in the city (and across Scotland) were family bikes, suggesting that this area has the greatest potential for growth. Most of

For individuals and families wanting to try out a cargo

these replaced a car, making sense in the urban environ-

bike, the Edinburgh Festival of Cycling also provides

ment where most journeys are under 10km. Curiously,

cargo bikes for hire - including for tourists!

businesses were much slower to take up cargo bikes; of

https://edfoc.org.uk/cargo-bike-hire/

the pioneers mentioned above, the soup cafe replaced its

GETTING TO ZERO - EM ISSION U RBAN LOGISTICS: THE N EED FOR PU BLIC & P RIVATE I N DUSTRY COLL ABORATION Governments and the private sector are waking up to the idea that stimulating cargo bikes is a good idea. But how should they go about it? How do they avoid a logistics “Wild West” scenario? Vancouver, Canada-based Cycle Logistics expert Sam S. Starr explores the next steps they urgently need to take together. The COVID-19 global pandemic

As the world traverses the road to

promote cyclelogistics and incentive

accelerated eCommerce, and increased

COVID recovery, there is no better time

small businesses. This is a step that

grocery deliveries, residential waste

to strategize, develop, and implement

many other European countries are

needs, and instant deliveries by

a plan to achieve zero-emission freight.

likely to adapt soon, with zero-emission

restaurants primarily using third-party

And, don’t let the excuse of harsh

goals in developed frameworks ready

delivery services. Many cities and

winters be a deterrent. The COLIBRI

to enact.

governments at all levels have struggled

project, as well as many Scandinavian

to rein in urban logistics and set the

projects, have already proven this not

By implementing low- or zero-emission

proper strategy and tactics for sustain-

to be the case.

zones, a network of connected and

ability and zero-emission cities.

eventually shared logistics hubs placed Incentives for low-emissions

in strategic locations, an open data

If the public wants more sustainable,

We can also look to France, where

platform, and incentives for cycle-

livable cities, it will be sustainable

the government has successively

logistics and collaboration between

urban freight and maximizing cyclelo-

incentivized cycling, electric bicycles,

global and local logistics partners, cities

gistics that will be the key to getting us

and electric cargo bicycles. The large

can further lower logistics emissions.

there. Take the City of Montreal as one

existing low-emission zone (LEZ), and

A collaboratively designed and executed

example, which created a multi-carrier

soon to be zero-emission zone (ZEZ)

plan will accelerate the adoption of

hub through their COLIBRI project, and

in central Paris is rapidly accelerating

sustainable logistics methods across

the City of Vancouver following in their

adoption, reducing automotive usage,

cities, all while preventing the existing

footsteps. The project has proven, as

and improving the quality of life for

“Wild West” scenario from imploding.

many other global pilots have, that one

many Parisians (Urban Access

A stakeholder ‘covenant’ that aligns the

delivery van can be replaced by one

Regulations EU). Furthermore, in

strategy and goals of the municipality

cargo bike using a hub, and that we need

May 2021, the Government of France

towards zero-emissions logistics with

to expand these hubs across the cities

announced a nationwide plan to

specific actions and milestones from

and activate ‘neighbourhood logistics’ with cyclelogistics.

Increased Distance Increased Load Weight/Volume

Wild West Broadly, municipalities need to look at strategic models and solutions across the globe that are being leveraged today,

Walking

First, Last &

Bicycles

Only Mile

Utility Cycles

to achieve a zero-emission goal as soon as possible. If they do nothing, the cost

Shared Public Transportation (Subways)

Middle Mile

is huge and will result in a ‘Wild West’

Electric Cars & Vans

scenario in the continuation of the direction we are going today. The Physical Internet multi-hub open-source

Mobile Hubs (Barges, Drop Trailers)

Electric Heavy Duty Trucks

Long Haul

Heavy Duty Rail Air Freight

logistics network model is an existing, proven solution that should be an integral part of their vision to achieve zero-emissions logistics.

Sustainable Logistics Transportation Pyramid for North America (Note: In other countries where heavy-duty long-distance rail is electrified, heavy-duty rail would

THE ICBF MAGAZINE 2021

swap positions with Electric heavy-duty trucks) (Source: Sam S. Starr)

stakeholders, is a critical tool that all

them to the current state, infrastructu-

right time. Public-Private collaboration,

municipalities and regional governments

re, and culture of our cities will be the

coordination, and consolidation are all

should be leveraging.

key to the success of any Sustainable

critical to achieving zero-emission urban

Urban Logistics Plan & Strategy.

freight in our cities.

Roadmap

Enabling sustainable freight in our

There is a lot we can learn and many

cities will take a well-defined roadmap

The long road in developing and

best practices we can utilize from across

and strategy, optimizing existing infra-

enacting a smart zero-emissions freight,

the globe to achieve sustainable

structure, getting all the stakeholders at

and cyclelogistics heavy plan, must be

zero-emissions logistics in our cities in

the table, and creating the right blend

dramatically shortened. Climate change

the next 10 to 15 years. Leveraging the

of policy and incentives for people and

will not wait.

right combination of tools and adapting

businesses in the right place and the

Sam S. Starr, M.Eng., MEL, is a Sustainable Logistics Expert & Consultant from Vancouver, BC, Canada.

OU R GREEN WAY KEEP I NG CARGO CYCLES ROLLI NG I N CANADA Started as a not-for-profit group in 2016, Our Greenway was founded in Toronto, Canada on the belief that suburban equity-seeking communities deserved the same access to safe streets, resilient infrastructure and cargo cycles enjoyed by people downtown. Committed to transforming our cyclelogistics vision to reality, we are also consultants, and work with both the

businesses and communities across North America to strengthen the business case for cargo cycles. Working with our academic, civil society and industry partners, including York University and the Smart Freight Center, we are pursuing new frontiers in cargo cycle research, focusing on cargo cycle pilots, value metrics, and social barriers to usage by seniors, people of color and suburban residents. Our policy and research efforts are supported by our Cargo Cycle Library - featuring a range of family and

private and public sector.

commercial cargo cycles, including adaptive cycles for our Cycling Without Age program. This Library is being assembled

Over the last five years we have delivered

team which covered the energetic scene.

our policy and regulatory expertise to

and expanded with the generous support of Tern, Yuba, Curbside Cycle, Plug’n Dri-

all levels of government, conducted re-

While we planned to expand our in-

search and written reports for Transport

person events with a mix of family and

Canada and JalonMTL, ran pilots with

commercial programming, COVID-19

What is next for Our Greenway?

local commercial clients, and created

changed our focus toward eliminating

We have exciting news! We are expanding

community programming to showcase

regulatory barriers, filling knowledge

our Cargo Bike Library into a Cargo Bike

the potential of cyclelogistics to a North

gaps, and exploring ways to enable

Expertise & Innovation Centre, in part-

American audience.

companies, residents and decision

nership with our existing academic and

makers to see and use a diverse set of

not-for-profit partners and with the Cargo

cargo cycles in their own communities.

Bike Expertise & Innovation Centre in The

Transforming Toronto Cargo cycles were identified early on

ve and the Ontario Government.

Netherlands. We look forward to releasing

by community members as potential

Policy, research and applied action

more info about this Centre as it becomes

mobility solutions - if we could get our

Reflecting on the multiple policy barriers

available. The Centre will provide a tes-

hands on them! In 2018, Darnel and the

and knowledge gaps they had encounte-

ting laboratory, exhibit space, and testing

Our Greenway team collaborated with

red - such as actually finding commercial

and knowledge mobilization space to fuel

Melissa & Chris Bruntlett to run

and adaptive cargo cycles to showcase in

the growth and maturation of the cargo

Toronto’s 1st Cargo Bike Championships.

2018 - we embarked on a three pronged

cycle industry in North America in late

Intended to be a showcase for the

approach - policy, research and applied

2021 and 2022.

potential of cargo cycles to transform

action. Our team are experts on all seg-

Toronto, the exciting event drew over one

ments of the cyclelogistics ecosystem,

hundred and fifty participants, several

from standards to systems to financing,

cargo cycle vendors and a documentary

and we work closely with governments,

Darnel Harris

CHECK OUT THE DECADE OF THE CARGO BIKE RAP! Let’s g ive it up for Abs!

How about that?! A brand new track about cargo bikes by the Canadian rapper Abdominal – Abs for short. We absolutely love it. We recommend you check out the video on YouTube because the lyrics are great - but in the end they’re just words on the page. To feel the vibe and get into the groove you have to hear and see Abs cruising the streets on a cargo bike!

Previous visitors to the ICBF will already be well acquain-

of companies as diverse as

ted with Ron Vervuurt’s cargo bike songs. Some of you may

Fedex, Amazon, UPS and Hermes.

even have sung along in the past (we did!). This year we as-

No wonder then this cargo bike soliloquy,

ked rapper Abdominal (Andrew Bernstein) to write a song

plus an ultra low emission form of mobility!

about the Decade of the Cargo Bike - which we declared on

Hmm, do I sense some confusion?

the eve of the 2020s. We fed Abs with a ton of information

That simply means they help in reducing air pollution,

and he succeeded brilliantly in pinpointing the essence of

consuming 94% less energy

why cargo bikes are the solution to so many problems.

than an e-van for the same delivery.

LYRICS

Listen to me, cargo bikes a no brainer, especially when combined with universal containers

‘Cities, built for cars or for humans?

to form centralized, urban shipping hubs,

You’d like to think the latter, but that feels like an illusion

preconceived notions of city traffic, rip ‘em up,

sometimes, mainly due to the demands

and let’s reclaim the streets, for humans.

of urban logistics, but cargo bikes’ll fix this!

The solution? Cargo bike revolution!’

The 2020s, decade of the cargo bike, compared to vehicles like vans and cars, so light and nimble weaving through that downtown traffic,

CANADIAN COLLE AGU ES

deliver your goods over that last mile faster

Abdominal is a rapper from Toronto, Canada. He’s one of

for multiple reasons,

the rappers associated with Event Rap, an initiative by

they can use bike lanes, take shortcuts and park easier

Baba Brinkman which co-funded the production of the

plus closer to the final destination

video clip. For the video shoot they borrowed a NRBI

compared to van drivers who, according to the data,

(pronounced ‘nearby’) cargo bike via Darnel Harris of

walk a third of the way of their average total distance,

Toronto-based mobility organisation Our Greenway.

so not only do they pollute, they’re inefficient. And in the business of shipping, efficiency’s key. Precisely why cargo bikes have been enlisted to fleets

THE ICBF MAGAZINE 2021

https://youtu.be/yDNEVYG0dMU

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INSPIRING SUSTAINABLE SERVICE LOGISTICS A ‘learning community’ attached to Amsterdam University of Applied Science (AUAS)’s ‘Go Electric’ research project inspires and challenges professionals, researchers and students into thinking about zero-emission service logistics. That is, the logistics of carrying out services rather than, say, delivering goods. Project Leader Susanne Balm tells us more.

One of the most important factors in the success (or failure) of zero-emission transport in service logistics is cooperation. Within the entire chain, and beyond. For this reason, and as a follow-up to the recently completed ‘Go Electric’ research project, AUAS started a ‘learning community’ in February 2021, in which professionals, students and lecturerresearchers frequently share knowledge about zero-emission service logistics. ‘You don’t have to keep reinventing the wheel; we’ve been seeing the same issues and problems for years’.

While manufacturer Easy Go

Easy Go Electric designs LEVs for

new design for the compact

Electric wants to redesign the pas-

service companies

passenger version of the iYYo Ev1

senger version of their light electric

The use of LEVs as an alternative to

from LEV provider Easy Go Electric,

vehicle (LEV) iYYo Ev1 to carry cargo,

diesel vans in city centres is one of

so that it can also be used as a cargo

wholesaler Technische Unie is working

the solutions and challenges for

vehicle.

on the question of how it can sustain-

zero-emission service logistics; on

ably supply their customers in 44

this, the community members agree.

In the students’ design, the LEV is

Dutch cities. Both companies have

How this is to be designed and

extended at the rear to make room

enlisted the help of community mem-

organised is a practical issue that

for a standard loading cube in which

bers: AUAS students and researchers,

both providers and users have to

service engineers can carry tools

and professionals from the field.

deal with. They state that service

and parts. The design is an efficient

During the knowledge sessions, they

mechanics who currently use cargo

and cost-reducing solution and

share their findings, results and future

bikes as a sustainable alternative

extremely suitable for service

visions with both providers and users

would like to avoid getting wet,

companies, among others, says

within the service logistics sector.

steer clear of the hustle and bustle

Bob Kranenburg, principal of Easy

To inspire, but also to pose important

of the city and occasionally need to

Go Electric: “It offers an intermediate

questions. After all, all those present

transport large items that do not

solution for mechanics who want to

are faced with the same task: from

always fit into a cargo bike.

stay dry and at the same time are

2025, trucks and delivery vans in the

Logistics students from AUAS set

looking for an easily manoeuvrable

city centres of 30 to 40 Dutch munici-

to work for Easy Go Electric on a

vehicle for use in the city”.

palities must be emission-free.

“You don’t have to keep reinventing the wheel; we’ve been seeing the same issues and problems for years.” 16

THE ICBF MAGAZINE 2021

Technische Unie aims for sustainable deliveries

process over 30 shipments per day - more than expected.

Another issue among the community members is sustai-

In Utrecht, a pilot with an LEV was also conducted, in which

nable inner-city deliveries by wholesalers. Technische Unie

especially the reach and transport of larger shipments

commissioned a logistics graduate student at AUAS, to

and lengths (tubes) proved to be a challenge. For the pilot

work on this issue for their customers in 44 Dutch cities.

in Leiden, a collaboration was set up with CityHub, a city

Three alternatives were investigated: 1) electric trucks,

logistics company. It appears that the cooperation works

2) smaller (electric) vehicles (LEV and cargo bike), and 3)

well, and that customers have a preference for a small

deliveries via the hub of a city logistics company. Freek

group of deliverers - they like to see familiar faces.

examined per city what volumes go into the city. A model was developed which took into account volume, weights,

This provides valuable information for other users in cities.

distances between stops and the presence of a Technische

The knowledge session showed that urban logistics parties

Unie location, in order to be able to advise on the most

can and must work together and that using the same ICT

suitable modality or cooperation for each city.

platform makes upscaling possible. The advantage of this is that companies that operate in multiple Dutch cities

Initial pilots in Utrecht and Leiden show that cycle cou-

do not have to make different ICT connections with every

riers in Utrecht have a shorter stopping time than an

different local city logistics operator they use.

employee with a conventional truck. Bicycle couriers can

Leaning community members Easy Go Electric, Arval, Fiestdiensten.nl, DOCKR, Fleet Complete, Mego Mobility, BluekensEV, Cenex Group, Forty, Royal HaskoningDHV, Trens Solar Trains BV, Unica, Pantar, Breman, Eltag, ENGIE, Voskamp Group, Technische Unie and Hemubo, Techniek Nederland and Gemeente Amsterdam.

Photo: Urba n Arrow

Would you also like to be part of future learning communities? Then contact Susanne Balm (s.h.balm@hva.nl). The AUAS learning community organises a question-and-inspiration time every two weeks. This online meeting takes place in Dutch, and is open to interested parties from the field of business, research and education. The community connects companies to AUAS students (Logistics, Mobility, Engineering, Business Administration) and offers students extra support in their research.

A FEMALE ORGANIC GARDENER ON A CARGO BIKE Dutch landscape gardener Johanneke Heijting cycles around the city of Nijmegen on her specially designed, hand made gardening bike. Not just in summertime, but all year round. She designs gardens, creates planting plans and carries out a lot of garden maintenance. Yet another great example of how bikes can be used to transport cargo.

“I originally trained as an actress and was living in Amsterdam. At some point I wanted a time out and took off to Scotland where I ended up in a small community. Here I was in charge of the communal kitchen garden.

Resourcefulness

This was a turning point. My love of gardening grew, so

Does she miss a car or van? Not at all. “I’m used to doing

I went to study it in England where I also later got my

everything by bike or public transport. You become more

first paid gardening assignment.”

and more resourceful when it comes to transporting things around. The only thing I sometimes miss in bad weather is

Loading rack and trailer

a dry place to have lunch. And if you have a lot of pruning

After some years Johanneke returned to the Netherlands

waste or I need to buy lots of plants, there’s no getting away

and took over her brother’s gardening company. “He had said

from hiring a van.”

goodbye to his van and worked with a specially designed bike and hand-made trailer, which I liked very much. At the

No brainer

front, there is a box with space for two 36V batteries.

According to Johanneke anyone can ride this setup. “The

There is also a long loading rack and a bicycle trailer hitch.

cycling itself is easy, but you have to get used to it, because

The trailer was designed based on the things that are carried

you are bigger and more cumbersome than on a normal bike.

every day. The box measures about 160 by 60 centimetres

Sometimes, there are moments when you have to jostle for

and can carry a lot.”

space in order to manoeuvre through the traffic properly and safely. For example, when you want to get into the left-hand

Business card

lane and you have to pull out in front of cars.” For Johanneke

And by a lot she means: a folding ladder and a smaller ladder,

it’s a no brainer: all gardeners should swap the company van

a spade, pitchfork, garden rake, grass rake and a broom.

for a cargo bike. “It’s healthy, silent, flexible, big enough and

Furthermore, two branch cutters, various cordless tools. Plus

the maintenance is very easy: just make sure it’s parked in

a bag full of hand tools, buckets and large bags for collecting

a dry place - the box is made of plywood.”

bulky green waste. Johanneke: “If necessary, you can also use straps to place materials on top of the box. An incidental advantage is that this arrangement stands out and therefore acts as a great business card.”

Johanneke was interviewed as part of the Amsterdam University of Applied Science’s ‘Go Electric’ project, of which the International Cargo Bike

THE ICBF MAGAZINE 2021

Festival was a participant. Find out more on page 16.

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They drive the vehicle every day. There are also different

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FOR MORE IN FORMATION , VISIT

WWW.CYCLESPARK.COM

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ROADSIDE RECOVERY BY CARGO BIKE ANWB Wegenwacht is the largest provider of roadside assistance in the Netherlands. On 7 July 2020, the ANWB deployed a cargo bike for roadside assistance in Nijmegen – a first for the city. How did this come about? ANWB roadside patroller Jan van Raaij was interviewed as part of the Amsterdam University of Applied Science’s ‘Go Electric’ project. It’s a job Jan has done for over 30 years, and, as he tells us, some customers are more than a little surprised - and even sceptical - to see him turn up on a bike. How did it all come about?

outside the city. They come to the depot in their patrol

The ANWB has been using cargo bikes for about five

vehicles and switch over to the cargo bike.

years in the four major cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht. When I saw that, I thought: we

And so you are on your bike all day.

can do that in Nijmegen too. Mobility in cities is a big

You don’t swap over halfway through the day?

problem; it is becoming increasingly difficult to get into

If the weather conditions allow, I’m on my bike all day. Once

them with a car. I said, guys, I’d like to have a roadside

in a while it can be so bad that we are told to get off the bike

assistance bike like that too. Why don’t we do that?

and take the van, but if it rains a bit we just keep on riding. There’s a reason we have rainwear, right?

And when it gets cold, will you be back in a vehicle again?

When the bicycle was brought in, were there

Yes, the standard season for bicycle and motorbike patrols

any changes to the area you had to cover?

is from 1st May to 1st November. After that, they are taken

The cargo bike is only used in the city of Nijmegen; within

off the road due to weather conditions. Everyone on cargo

the built-up area.

bike or motorbike duty also has a patrol vehicle. And the action radius of the cargo bike?

So you have a bike and a car. Are they kept at home

How long does a battery last?

or some other place?

It’s a challenge for us to ride on one battery for a whole

I live close to the depot, so I’m lucky enough to be able to

day. We do carry a spare battery for emergencies. As a

ride there on my own bike. Three of my colleagues live

rule, I ride in eco mode. You have eco, tour, sport and turbo

THE ICBF MAGAZINE 2021

Photo credit: Tom Parr

An ANWB cargo biker (not Jan van Raaij) on patrol in Nijmegen. Photo credit: Tom Parr

modes. If you have to get going with a heavily loaded cargo

The ANWB uses diesel vans, but are

bike, or if you have a headwind or have to get going and

there plans to switch to electric?

speed up, then you set it to tour, sport or turbo. And when

There are already some electric cars. I was recently given a

I get up to speed, I switch to eco.

new patrol vehicle that runs on natural gas, and that’s all in the interests of the environment. We are always looking for

And the maintenance and repairs to the

ways to contribute: what are the options and is it workable?

cargo bike, do you do that yourself as well?

With electric cars, the question is whether they will last

No, because it’s a company bike. If we had to do that

a full day. It can’t just stop working halfway through the

ourselves, we would not be ready to work, and you couldn’t

day. And there’s the cost issue, of course. But it is all being

work your shift. We have the maintenance of the bike done

looked at. At Schiphol Airport, for example, we now have an

at Busybike (a local cargo bike specialist). We checked

electric car. It mainly deals with breakdowns at the airport

where the local Urban Arrow service centre was, and

itself, in the car parks.

he’s the dealer here. It’s going really well. We are techies and we know at a certain point when something is wrong.

And do people react positively to the cargo bike?

The cargo bike is always heavily loaded and is used every

Yes, every day; today as well. People stand in the street,

day. Some parts suffer more, for example, I recently

a dead-end street, looking out for a van. They do that nine

replaced the brake pads myself because I could see that

out of ten times. And then I ring my bell ‘ding ding’ and they

they were really worn out.

turn around: ‘On your bike?’ Yes, on my bike. Sometimes they get a bit suspicious. Is this going to work?

Do you have any tips for service providers

The other day, I had a gentleman with an old fire engine

who also want to use a cargo bike?

that he had converted into a camper van. He had no more

Buy a decent cargo bike, make sure you buy something

brake pressure and I saw him wondering: can he solve this?

good. Inflate the tyres, simple things like that. Take a bike

On his bike? But I did solve it. That’s a great feeling.

with sufficient battery capacity and a strong motor. Do you ever miss anything? You’ll come across something from time to time, but if

Jan van Raaij was interviewed by Jos Sluijsmans

there’s an item you notice you’re missing more than once,

as part of the Amsterdam University of Applied

you can always take it with you the next time.

Science’s “Go Electric” project. More on the

Do you find it easier to get to places by bike than by car?

“Go Electric” project on page 16.

Yes, especially in modern residential areas, on one-way streets and dead ends. The latter are usually not applicable to bicycles. Then you have bollards at the end, and I can get past them on my bike.

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INTERNATIONAL CARGO BIKE FESTIVAL NIJMEGEN

BIKE 2 CLE AN : FROM AFRICAN WASTE TO PROFIT WITH A CARGO BI KE Cargo bikes are helping to create employment opportunities In Uganda, whilst contributing to a cleaner? It’s part of Bike2Clean, a remarkable social enterprise led by the Cycling out of Poverty Foundation (CooP-Africa) and carried out by a Ugandan youth group. Luuk Eickmans, Executive Director of CooP-Africa, tells us more.

the various waste streams. The first products include the fully recycled plastic paving stones, plastic fence

In the second half of 2021, the

which otherwise would be burned,

posts, rich compost and animal feeds.

youths will establish a closed-loop

or dumped in rivers or public places.

The recycled products are sold, again

recycling enterprise. They will collect

(partly) by bicycle, and the objective

household waste, free of charge, with

CooP-Africa

is that the profits must cover the

custom-made cargo bicycles from

The garbage is collected by cargo

costs of running the social enterprise

CooP-Africa. This waste (plastic and

bikes which were designed, produced

and generate a decent living for the

organic waste) will be recycled into

and are maintained by CooP-Africa,

employees. In addition, the youths

profitable new products to sustain

in our Green Hub workshop in Jinja.

also educate the community about

the social enterprise and generate a

CooP-Africa builds upon experiences

waste management, environment and

decent, fair income for the youths.

from cargo bike production in Kisumu

health, as well as organising street

(Kenya) and Koudougou (Burkina

cleaning days.

Addressing the challenge

Faso). The design is tailored to the

Many countries face challenges with

terrain, amount and type of waste

Bikenterprises

waste management. Uganda addres-

and distance to be covered. Bike-

This pilot project is part of CooP-

ses this challenge by allowing gar-

2Clean is being launched in a suburb

Africa’s Bikenterprises programme.

bage collectors to operate to collect

of Jinja in Uganda, and based on the

Under Bikenterprises we explore the

household waste for a fee. Those who

lessons learned in this one communi-

potential of small bicycle enterpri-

can’t or don’t want to pay for waste

ty, Bike2Clean could in future easily

ses in the bicycle or bicycle-related

disposal often opt to burn their waste

be scaled up and rolled out to other

industry by supporting start-ups with

for free. This ranges from light bulbs

communities.

(cargo)bicycles, and other custom

and plastics to garden waste and food

made bicycles, in combination with

scraps, and causes high levels of air

Recycling waste for decent living

providing start-up capital and capaci-

pollution, littering and public dump

The youth group collects the garbage,

ty building. The Bike2Clean project is

sites. The Bike2Clean project aims to

sorting and cleaning the waste and

co-financed by Beixo (chainless bikes,

close this gap and collect waste

making new recycled products from

shaft driven).

Stay tuned! Want to keep up to date with how the Bike2Clean project is going? Luuk Eickmans will be writing a monthly blog about it’s progress on the ICBF website: www.cargobikefestival.com

FOR MORE IN FORMATION , VISIT

WWW.COOP-AFRICA.ORG

You can also follow Coop-Africa @coopafrica

@cyclingoutofpoverty

DUTCH FRAMEWORK FOR LIGHT ELECTRIC VEH ICLES (LEVS) I N THE MAKING

In July 2021, the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure & Water Management informed the House of Representatives about a new framework of regulations for Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs). Unlike bicycles, mopeds, light-mopeds and speed pedelecs, there are no European vehicle regulations for LEVs.

In the Netherlands, an increasing variety of light vehicles

expects to be able to send this arrangement to the House

can be seen in the bike lanes and on the roads. These are

of Representatives at the beginning of next year (2022) at

mainly (electric) bicycles. There are around 23 million

the latest. The framework is expected to come into force

bicycles in the Netherlands, including 2 million e-bikes.

on 1 January 2023.

In addition, there are mopeds and light-mopeds (1.5 million combined). More and more innovative LEVs

Four categories of LEVs

are also coming onto the market, including cargo bikes in

In the LEV framework, a distinction is made between four

various forms.

categories of LEVs: •

A more focussed framework These new vehicles have the potential to contribute to

lighter than 55 kg. •

social goals such as accessibility, recreation, sustainability and road safety. But up till now LEVs may only be used on

Board (OvV) has indicated that there is a need for a more

Category 1b: all other LEVs under 55kg without pedal assistance.

•

Dutch roads if they comply with the national regulations for the designation of ‘special mopeds’. The Dutch Safety

Category 1a; the e-(cargo) bike with full pedal support

Category 2a: LEVs heavier than 55 kg intended for freight transport, and;

•

Category 2b: LEVs heavier than 55 kg intended for passenger transport.

focused framework for the different types of LEVs. They recommend investigating whether electric (cargo)

In addition, the LEV framework is divided into the method

bicycles should also fall under a new national authorisation

of admission and supervision, requirements for admission

framework.

to the road and requirements for use on the road. LEVs that will fall under the LEV framework are exempt from EU

Time to adapt

Regulation No. 168/2013. These are vehicles that currently

The aim of the new framework is to ensure that LEVs that

have a national authorisation (for example as a ‘special

have been approved are technically safe and are used sa-

moped’), or which are exempt from admission (e-(cargo)

fely within existing traffic. The user requirements will only

bicycles, e-tricycles), or vehicles that are currently not

apply to LEVs that fall within this framework, are allowed

allowed on the road (for example, monowheels).

on the road under the current rules and are already driving around. Consumers can therefore continue to drive on the road with these LEVs with new rules for use. Manufacturers and sellers will also be given time to adapt to the new LEV framework. A transitional arrangement will be drawn up for this in consultation with the relevant stakeholders. The minister

THE ICBF MAGAZINE 2021

Impact analysis

of LEVs in order to gain more insight into market develop-

Engineering and consultancy firm Antea Group have been

ments. With an understanding of absolute numbers on the

asked to make an inventory of the different types and mo-

road, it would be possible to better estimate which LEVs

dels of EVs that do not meet the requirements of the out-

would have a greater impact if the LEV framework were

line of the LEV framework. They looked at three aspects of

introduced in its current form.

the requirements for admission to the road: the maximum dimensions (LxWxH), the permitted maximum mass and

The use of LEVs with trailers in current practice should

the maximum number of persons (driver plus passengers).

also be explored. There are various models of LEVs where

In total, nine different types of LEVs have been distinguis-

the length of 3 metres is exceeded in combination with a

hed, which includes 121 different models of LEVs.

trailer. Further research into the use and numbers of LEVs with trailers will provide a more complete picture of the

It is estimated that there are currently about 125,000

LEV market and further substantiatiate any future

e-cargo bikes in the Netherlands. In addition, approximate-

regulation. A large number of imported LEVs are also on

ly 20,000 e-cargo bikes are sold in the Netherlands every

the road in the Netherlands, which is why it is advisable to

year. In the rest of Europe, there are approximately 175,000

conduct further research into this and to inform non-Dutch

to 200,000 e-cargo bikes on the road and the expected

manufacturers.

growth is between 15% and 25% per year, depending on the region in Europe.

Finally, the Antea Group recommends periodic and coordinated monitoring of developments in the LEV sector.

As a result of the impact analysis, Antea Group recom-

The LEV sector is undergoing rapid development, making it

mends reconsidering the provisional requirements with

increasingly important in the future to have access to joint

regard to the curb mass limit of 55kg and the maximum

and independent data. Such monitoring requires further

number of passengers in category 1a. Optionally, other

elaboration, ideally in collaboration with the sector.

ways of regulation can be explored for types of LEVs that do not comply with the LEV framework. For example, a regulation that currently applies to ‘special mopeds’ can also be applied to special LEVs. Link to the letter of the minister to Insight into the numbers In addition, further research should be conducted into

the House of Representatives, including attachments (in Dutch):

the market and value chain (from supplier to distributor)

hello@newmotionlabs.com +44 (0)1392 717131

UNTAPPED POTENTIAL FOR THE CARGO BIKE IN THE ANDES A 2018 visit to the ICBF in Berlin inspired David Alcivar of BixiCargo Ecuador. But it also begged the question, when would cargo bikes come to his home region; the Andes? He’s on a mission to make sure that happens.

Back in 2018 I visited the International

the romanticism of this era has now

Cargo Bike Festival for the first time, in

been lost, it can be recovered again; by

Berlin. Having insisted to my wife that

incorporating pragmatism, utilitaria-

we should go, she supported me and,

nism, and adapting the evolution and

Plus are all combining to create a

together, we went. I had followed the

innovation that has occurred in some

favourable environment. An environ-

ICBF online, but being there is another

European countries to our own reality.

ment in which, for example, cargo

experience entirely - like arriving at

bike prototypes can be generated, The status quo

or awareness campaigns waged

Even for those of us who have develo-

communicating their versatility, utility

It was so inspiring to see all of the

ped a certain ability to handle cargo

and efficiency.

cargo bike innovations, initiatives,

bikes in Quito, it still feels unsafe on

applications, and industry partners,

the roads, and we are limited by insuf-

Untapped potential

and to participate in talks and de-

ficient parking places. For most people

Some say we’re not ready, that we’re

monstrations on the front line. We

here, the cargo bike is something

not Europe, but I think we have to take

joined the cargo bike parade and saw

totally new and perhaps even risky.

steps, sustain them, apply them, hold

families, entrepreneurs and dreamers,

Changing this mentality is a challenge.

festivals, and learn from those who

Disneyland for a kid.

living intensely with great joy. For Latin

have done it before. Many of their

Americans, this still represents a uto-

A number of startups have begun to

strategies, actions and success stories

pia, but as we watched the last cargo

use cargo bikes, but there is no trai-

can be adapted to our situation.

bike disappear, we asked ourselves the

ning for operators. Manufacturers are

unavoidable question; when will we

scarce and imports difficult, and our

The potential for cargo bikes in the

have them in our Andean countries?

current cargo tricycles are technically

Andean region is huge. To realise

basic in design. In Colombia, Mexico,

this potential across a wide range

Rich history

and Chile however, things are more

of sectors, we need to generate and

What is a dream for many Latin

developed.

consolidate a public-private-acade-

American cyclists was once a reality.

mic ecosystem. Factors such as the

The concept of cargo bikes is not new

The use of cargo bikes in the Andes is

pandemic, climate crisis and the use of

to our region. Photos from around

currently limited to those already

public space all open up this potential

100 years ago show that there were

convinced. But the stars are aligning.

and present opportunities to promote

trikes on Ecuadorian city streets. In

Factors such as the COVID-19 pande-

change. And so we dream of seeing

1937 there was even a 12km long trike

mic, the “15-minute city”, high fuel

cargo bikes parade, which will make us

race involving 100 riders. Although

prices and projects such as Solutions-

all children again.

CARGO -TRICYCLES IN BUCHAREST PICK UP RECYCL ABLE MATERIALS RECICLETA is a green and social enterprise launched by ViitorPlus in 2009 that offers a service for the collection of recyclable materials - by cargo bike. Since 2006, Romanian NGO ViitorPlus (FuturePlus) has developed social entrepreneurship, environmental education, volunteering and environmental infrastructure programs.

RECICLETA offers collection services for paper and card-

Triple pressure

board, plastic, aluminum foil, and cans for recycling. The

The main challenge is to ensure sustainability. This

collection service, only available in Bucharest, employs

difficult task is three-fold – referring not only to financial

many people from vulnerable groups. The business model

sustainability, but also to offering solutions for social

has received several awards in the past few years, including

and environmental challenges. These green and social

a grand prize in 2013 in the environment section of the

objectives also mean higher costs compared to other

Social Innovation Tournament, organised by the European

companies from the industry.

Investment Bank Institute. In 2020 they earned Gold status in the Community Index for Corporate Social Responsibility.

Reduce – Reuse – Repair - Recycle RECICLETA aims to act as a role model for public instituti-

A unique innovatie service

ons, adopt a complex model of education for both respon-

RECICLETA aims to serve mainly business clients - it’s

sible consumption (Reduce – Reuse – Repair - Recycle) and

easier to collect recyclable materials from them than from

transport to collect materials correctly and separately, to

households. In 2020 over 200 companies, 20 schools and

capitalise as much as possible through recycling. Providing

600 apartment blocks were clients. For schools and

green jobs is also important, increasing the quality of the

apartment blocks, the costs are covered throughout

environment and public space, proactively improving the

sponsorships or CSR programs.

quality of life in cities. Gabriela Iordan explains: “A holistic and fair approach for municipalities is needed to solve the complex crisis we are facing as humanity - social, ecological

The uniqueness of this social enterprise is ensured through green and social innovation.

and economic.” By the start of 2022, RECICLETA aims to have prevented 1 million kg of materials from reaching landfill, nature or being incinerated. This was generated and separated by over 70,000 of our environmentally conscious, educated beneficiaries in Bucharest.

“Our service is unique and innovative in that we approach the logistical principle of first-mile pick-up of small quantities of recyclable materials”, explains Gabriela Iordan, responsible for Customers and Communication at RECICLETA. “We store these in style containers from where they are collected by larger vehicles. In addition, the means of transport we use are electric; the latest model of cargotricycle being produced in Romania.”

THE ICBF MAGAZINE 2021

www.recicleta.ro

www.viitorplus.ro

CARGO BIKES IN THE PICTURE

IN THE MAKING:

THE CARGO BIKE EX PERTISE & INNOVATION CENTRE The International Cargo Bike Festival (ICBF) has, in recent years, been the annual event where the professional cargo bike community gets together to meet, inform and inspire each other. The corona crisis - festival cancellations in both 2020 and 2021 - made us think again about possible alternatives. How do we ensure the enormous potential of the cargo bike is fulfilled? Here’s our idea... We’ve noticed that there is a clear need to maintain the momentum and energy we see at the ICBF throughout the rest of the year. This desire has been given an extra

Exhibitors: manufacturers and other parties from the

boost by the corona crisis, as the ICBF could not be held

market who are interested in presenting their products

in either 2020 or 2021. For this reason, Fietsdiensten.nl,

or services at the CargoBEIC physical location (for more

in partnership with social entrepreneurship agency Lentekracht, is launching the Cargo Bike Expertise &

information, see the information on the reverse); -

Innovation Centre (CargoBEIC).

Knowledge, research and cooperation partners, including manufacturers and users of cargo bikes, plus knowledge and educational institutions and local governments that

Picture this!

want to join us in projects under the CargoBEIC umbrella

A centre where the cargo bike industry can share knowledge

to further develop the successful use of cargo bikes in our

and promote their products and services. A structure in which research and knowledge about cargo bikes and their

cities; -

Investors and other financiers who can contribute in the

use comes together and is shared. We think a centre like

start-up phase (eventually CargoBEIC will be financially

this can fulfil a meaningful addition to existing initiatives.

self-sufficient).

We’re aiming to establish CargoBEIC in both physical and virtual locations. The physical location will take the form of

Partnerships

a permanent exhibition, where players from the cargo bike

We’ve already carried out a lot of research and held discussi-

industry can display their products, services and ideas.

ons with numerous potential partners. Many companies and

In addition, the centre will facilitate the organisation of

organisations have already expressed their interest.

meetings and the testing of cargo bikes. CargoBEIC’s virtual

To name a few: VeloMotive, labour development company

component will provide the cargo bike community with an

Scalabor, the HAN University of Applied Sciences, the

online presence through a social media community, website,

Multiple Value Creation Center and the LEV Knowledge

knowledge base and, in time, an online exhibition.

Centre. These are all Dutch initiatives, but of course we are also keen to embark on international collaborations.

Join us!

So if you are interested in the CargoBEIC concept and think

CargoBEIC is currently still in development. To take the

you can play a role in its further development, please contact

concept to the next level, we are specifically looking for the

us: Jos Sluijsmans, Fietsdiensten.nl: jos@fietsdiensten.nl

following:

Bram Lamberts, Lentekracht: bram@lentekracht.com

THE ICBF MAGAZINE 2021

The city of Arnhem is launching the Hydrocargo bike: a hydrogen fuel cell powered cargo bike. It’s main advantage? It can be fully refuelled with hydrogen in just a few minutes, making changing batteries and long charging times a thing of the past. And it doubles the range of the cargo bike.

HYDROGEN: A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE FOR LITH I U M BATTERI ES

More and more European cities are switching to sustaina-

able to replace lithium batteries entirely.

ble city logistics in which cargo bikes are used for last mile

The bike’s hydrogen cylinder is currently refuelled from lar-

deliveries. However, in some cases the limited range of

ger storage cylinders, but later this year tests will be carried

these bikes might be an issue. In the Dutch city of Arnhem,

out with special hydrogen filling stations. Naturally, safety is

cargo bike manufacturer Urban Arrow, local couriers ‘The

a top priority. The cargo bike has been developed according

Green Riders’, the University of Applied Sciences Arnhem

to European regulations for hydrogen-powered vehicles

Nijmegen and consultants ‘All About Hydrogen’ have come

and uses only hydrogen certified parts. It also features an

together to develop a solution: the Hydrocargo bike.

extensive safety system, triggering an alarm and switching to safe mode in the unlikely event of a leak occurring.

Unlike conventional cargo bikes, the Hydrocargo bike is a hybrid; powered by both batteries and renewable hydrogen.

Other initiatives

A compact hydrogen range extender, which powers the

This is not the only Hydrogen-powered cargo bike project

electric engine and charges the lithium battery, has been

in The Netherlands. Another hydrogen-powered cargo bike

is already riding the streets of Groningen. And the Inter-

released, only water vapour.

reg North-West European Fuel Cell Cargo Pedelecs Project (FCCP) aims to pilot the use of hydrogen fuel cell last-mile

Field testing

delivery vehicles in seven cities across Europe from Q3

The Netherlands - a true cycling country, is very flat

2021, including The Hague.

compared to the rest of Europe, but Arnhem is a hilly city. By testing the Hydrocargo here, it’s possible to assess

Starting this summer, the prototype Hydrocargo will hit the

whether the hybrid hydrogen concept might be suitable for

streets of Arnhem, delivering packages to customers. And

use elsewhere. “We want to show that hydrogen can be a

if the Arnhem field test proves to be a success, Hydrocargo

serious sustainable alternative for powering cargo bikes”,

will be deployed in more Dutch cities in the near future. In

says Frank Mietes of ‘All About Hydrogen’.

this way, more packages can be delivered sustainably and the general public can become familiar with some of the

Of course, it would also be possible to simply add a se-

sustainable possibilities that hydrogen has to offer.

cond battery. But by building a prototype the group gained practical experience on this new hydrogen technology. And

Frank Mietes

perhaps one day sustainable hydrogen technology will be

Alles Over Waterstof (All About Hydrogen)

Changing batteries and long charging times are history 31

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Hooray! Here comes the Hivebox!

nufacturer Citkar combines the comfort and safety of a car with state-of-the-art e-bike technology. The Loadster is slim enough for bike paths while protecting both cargo and rider from all types of weather. It offers freedom without traffic jams or fuel costs. When carpenters and cyclists unite The clever design of the Hivebox is what you get when innovative free-thinkers, manufacturers and designers put their heads together. The carpenter’s workshop Bächer Bergmann GmbH is the driving force behind envisioning, constructing and manufacturing the box. This is where the indestructible lightweight box is made, both with modern CNC technology and by hand. The Cologne-based workshop can also offer the box as a customised mass product in almost all sizes. You can even choose attractive enhancements: A side door, adjustable shelves or special attachments for securing the load can all be added on demand. Exclusive lightweight plastic boxes The boxes are well-conceived: the thin but durable walls of the Hivebox are easily recyclable honeycomb panels with a built-in ventilation grille. The corners and edges are protected, which ensures durability, and the sturdy doors are forgiving towards couriers in a hurry, who may occasionally slam them. Only the Hivebox is that light and sturdy.

Made for + Pharmacies + Vegetable deliveries + Courier, express and parcel services + …and many more

All you need to know about the Hivebox: www.hivebox.bike

THE ICBF MAGAZINE 2021

info@hivebox.bike

GRONINGEN CARGO BIKE CAPITAL How will we supply the city of the future? The Dutch city of Groningen considers the role that cargo bikes will play in urban logistics as one of great potential, which makes a considerable contribution to a more liveable environment.

The Municipality of Groningen is working on a future-proof and accessible city centre that invites you to walk and cycle in an environment with as few obstacles as possible. Obviously, a lively inner city cannot do without supplies, but they think it should be organised in a cleaner, smarter way. That’s why Groningen’s new urban logistics policy paves the way for zero-emission logistics in 2025, a larger zone with time windows and a new system for exemptions. These new measures are also specifically designed to stimulate the use of cargo bikes. Still a lot to gain There is already an incredible amount of cycling in Groningen: some even say it’s the cycling capital of the world. In terms of individual transport, the bicycle is undisputedly number one in Groningen, but when it comes to transporting goods, a lot of progress still needs to be made. The city’s next goal is to become a cargo bike capital by optimising cycle logistics in order to replace as many vans as possible with cargo bikes. In order to reach its goals, the municipality participates in several national and international projects such as: “Warenhuis Groningen” in which 200 local shops participate; Surflogh Interreg, which was just extended into 2023; ULaaDS, Urban Logistics as an on-Demand Service; StadLogistiek Groningen; Hive.Mobility, the Innovation Center for Smart and Green Mobility, The Cargo Bike Talks series and the ‘Cargobikathon’ innovation competition. Groningen was also the host city for a memorable International Cargo Bike Festival and Conference in 2019.

Check out the urban logistics projects Groningen is involved in here:

warenhuis.groningen.nl northsearegion.eu/surflogh ulaads.eu stadlogistiek.nl hivemobility.nl/en/ logistieknoord.nl/cargobiketalks cargobikathon.nl

HOW CARGO BIKES ARE CONQU ERI NG THE STREETS OF LISBON The 2021 edition of Velo-city, the world’s largest cycling conference, is set

THE VELO -CITY 2021

to take place as a hybrid online and in-person event in Lisbon, Portugal from 6-9 September 2021. The conference will celebrate #CycleDiversity and the

HOST CITY CELEBRATES

many different shapes, forms and uses of bicycles, including, of course, cargo bikes. For four days, the cycling community will turn its gaze to the

#CYCLEDIVERSITY

host city, Lisbon. In the last few years the so-called city of seven hills has shown great dedication to becoming a cycling-friendly environment, and an exciting cargo bike movement is also in the making.

Lisbon’s emerging cargo bike

Federation. “The high purchase price,

2020, 25 families tried a cargo bike

culture

the lack of parking, theft insurance

for at least a month, and five ended

Last year, the City Council of Lisbon

and proper infrastructure are all bar-

up purchasing one after the experi-

released its strategic mobility vision

riers for the inhabitants of Lisbon to

for 2030, MOVE Lisboa, reaffirming

take the plunge.”

ment. 3. Green procurement: The Lisbon

its commitment to renew Lisbon’s

municipality leads by example with

transport options. Back in 2001 Lisbon

With notable success, the municipa-

its own fleet:

inaugurated its first 3km of bike lanes.

lity is now on a mission to boost this

Now, the city is working towards

young movement and to break down

or put at the service of the municip-

reaching 200 kilometres of bike lanes,

the barriers that keep people from

ality in projects such as “Comboios

aiming to give 93% of the populati-

riding cargo bikes. As part of the

de bicicleta” (bike trains to school)

on access to a cycle lane within 300

European City Changer Cargo Bike

or SELIM (repair and exchange of

metres of their home. And a few years

(CCCB) project, they have been

used bikes). During the COVID-19

ago, Lisbon Municipality started to tap

implementing various measures to

pandemic, they were also used to

into the potential of cargo bikes.

stimulate their use:

deliver goods to the elderly.

“Lisbon doesn’t have a long history

Subsidy schemes: In 2020, Lisbon

with cargo bikes. It’s only during the

introduced a €3 million bicycle

last year that we experienced a boom

subsidy scheme, reserving half a

in the capital, mainly with longtails,

million euros specifically for cargo

some Long Johns and three-wheeled

bikes. In 2021, a new subsidy

cargo bikes. Lisboetas still know very

scheme will see the light,

little about the existence of cargo

including maintenance and acces-

bikes as a mobility alternative”, say

sories vouchers as well as cargo

Gonçalo Pais and Miguel Cambão,

bike subsidies for businesses.

technicians from the mobility plan-

2. Cargo bikes loans: The municipality

ning and studies division, from Lisbon

has been offering long-term loans

Municipality Mobility Board, in an

of cargo bikes to families, by far

interview with the European Cyclists’

the most successful initiative. In

THE ICBF MAGAZINE 2021

Eight cargo bikes: loaned to families

One electric bicycle trailer: used at a local farmers market to raise awareness about micro-logistics.

One trike: carries people and is used as an on-street promotional tool.

Four longtails: available to municipal staff.

4. Infrastructure: The Lisbon municipality is constantly increasing its cycle path network and bicycle parking facilities. The short term

Cyclists’ Federation in collaboration

on-street parking network tri-

with the City of Lisbon and Empresa

to the Rescue – September 9,

pled in the last 2.5 years, while a

Municipal de Mobilidade e Estaciona-

10:15-11:15, Room 3. This session

long-term bicycle parking network

mento de Lisboa (EMEL). The four-day

will turn the spotlight on how cargo

is currently being developed. De-

conference offers a rich programme,

bikes offer a solution to the

signed to welcome cargo bikes, it’s

featuring more than 200 speakers

drawbacks and bottlenecks of

also sheltered, closed and guarded.

across over 50 different sessions. An

traditional logistic models.

5. Communications: Cargo bikers are

E-commerce Boom: Cargo Bikes

exhibition, technical visits exploring

encouraged to post pictures using

Lisbon’s cycling infrastructure, a bike

Velo-city 2021 Lisboa tickets

the hashtags #CCCBLisboa, #Cy-

parade and a variety of side events will

Velo-city 2021 Lisboa offers stan-

clelogistics and #CML on social

accompany the programme.

dard, ambassador, group and one-day

media.

tickets. The Velo-city team is also Cargo bikes at Velo-city 2021 Lisboa

committed to making the conferen-

Cargo bikes make everyday life easier,

Velo-city 2021 Lisboa has two sessions

ce available to as many people as

more efficient and fun! But they need

dedicated to cargo bikes:

possible by offering discounted tickets

the right environment to thrive in.

Exploring the Endless Potential of

to students and participants from

There are a lot of ways for municipa-

Cargo Bikes – September 7,

developing countries. Those who are

lities to introduce and support cargo

11:00-12:00, Room 1. Project

unable to travel to Lisbon can

bikes in their city, and that’s the track

partners from the City Changer

purchase a digital Velo-city ticket.

Lisbon has chosen to ride.

Cargo Bike project will share best practices and case studies of

ECF, the City of Lisbon and EMEL

About Velo-city

successful cargo bike measures

hope to see you in Lisbon

Velo-city is the annual flagship

from across Europe.

this September!

conference of the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), at which the global cycling community gathers every year to share knowledge, ideas, best practices and influence decision-makers in favour of more cycling. This year’s edition, Velo-city 2021 Lisboa, is organised by the European

Velo-city, Lisbon, 6-9th September 2021

www.velo-city2021.com velocityseries velocityconference velocityconference showcase/velo-city-conference

WI LL TH E CARGO BIKE BAN THE DELIVERY VAN FROM OUR STREETS? Irfan Iskender is a Spatial Planning and Mobility Graduate from Windesheim University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. From February – May 2021 he conducted research into the perspective of the cargo bike commissioned by the Province of Utrecht. In this article he offers us a summary of his findings. The irritating delivery vans racing

res 49% less CO2 emissions in the

res such as granting exemptions for

through our streets and a desire to

Netherlands compared to 1990 levels.

cargo bikes in pedestrian areas, but

live towards a more sustainable future

Secondly, we are living in a time where

also indirect policy measures such as

brought me to the following question:

the cargo bike has never been so

announcing zero-emission zones by

“Which developments come with the

popular. One estimate says that there

2025.

rise of the cargo bike and how can we

are approximately 100,000 delivery

prioritise the cargo bike – a potential

and cargo bikes in the Netherlands.

Cargo bikes can also be given priority

replacement for the delivery van – in

A figure that is predicted to rise to at

at junctions by using Traffic Control

traffic?” To answer this question,

least 400,000 by 2025. Although

Devices (TCD). Options include a

I will briefly discuss climate goals and

cargo bikes are seen as a substitute

phone app connected to a TCD - a

thereafter the cargo bike itself.

for the delivery van, they do have

system which can help to identify a

some disadvantages, such as the

bicycle courier and grant them a green

Green Deal-ZES

maximum cost-effective delivery

light as soon as possible, or even a

Firstly, an important initiative here in

range; often 10km (or 15km in

system which can identify other

the Netherlands that supports the

exceptional cases).

vehicle types too.

Green Deal-ZES. This gives Dutch

Direct and indirect policy measures

Cargo bikes are the future!

cities the opportunity to introduce

During my research, I found out that

To conclude, the cargo bike can make

zero-emission zones for delivery vans

the cargo bike policy is limited. Some

a major contribution to the challenges

and trucks from 2025. The goal is to

government agencies are more active

that are faced by government

make city logistics smarter and clea-

than others with regards to drawing

agencies, companies, and entre-

ner. This deal is in line with the

up cargo bike-friendly policies. This

preneurs. The research confirms it:

Climate Agreement, which requi-

entails not only direct policy measu-

Cargo bikes are the future!

promotion of the cargo bike is the

THE ICBF MAGAZINE 2021

Photo: Babboe Pro

Model; CargoBike Cruiser Long Steps

FINGERS CROSSED FOR A CARGO BI KE EMO JI If we are lucky, at some point in 2023 we will be able to use a new emoji. That’s thanks to the hard work of David Majarich who has his heart set on a cargo bike emoji. Let’s find out why... A couple of years ago I spent a year living in Denmark with

proposal and draft design were submitted in April 2021 to

my family and we were lucky to have owned two cargo

the Unicode Consortium. That’s the organisation respon-

bikes. My wife and I enjoyed transporting our young boys

sible for universal character encoding, which provides the

and shopping in all weathers to all sorts of destinations. We

basis for digital processing, storage and interchange of

were hooked on the benefits and joys of cargo bike life. Here

text data in any language. This includes emojis - which are

we are heading into town for ice cream.

ultimately deployed and seen on every mobile phone, tablet, laptop and computer across the globe.

Emojis as a communication tool Earlier this year during the COVID-19 lockdown in the UK, my brother Pete and I were collaborating on some projects and started to look at emojis as a communication tool alongside our interests. Some of the most popular emojis are ‘face with tears of joy’ , ‘thumbs up’

and ‘red heart’

- note all relevant and

should be used with your local trusted and friendly bike

Waiting for approval

mechanic

At the time of writing, the submission is under review by the

. There is of course a ‘bicycle’

well as ‘person biking’

emoji as

and ‘person mountain biking’

Unicode Emoji Subcommittee against their extensive crite-

(note that for each, there are person, male and female

ria for new emojis. If successful, it will form part of version

versions, in five corresponding skin tones).

15.0, with an estimated release date at some point in 2023. Each platform (eg iOS, Google, Samsung, Twitter) will

However, there is no cargo bike emoji...

develop their own emoji version based on this draft design.

Research

The current total of emojis stands at 3,521 (as of Sept

The combination of ‘bicycle + package’

does a some-

2020, the latest release), and in recent years approximately

what OK job of representing the cargo bike, so I decided to

200 new emojis have been added annually. Each day, 92%

do some research. Readers of this magazine will already be

of the online population use emojis, with over 10 billion

aware of the growing use globally of cargo bikes for families,

being sent via social media daily. As the saying goes:

communities and business, as well as their environmental,

‘a picture is worth a thousand words’.

economic, and health benefits. I felt that this, along the high number of online search results for ‘cargo bike’ and

I’m hopeful and positive that the submission will be

of course #DecadeOfTheCargoBike, justified it’s very own

approved and that in 2023 we can all SMS, tweet or

official emoji.

whatsapp - a cargo bike emoji

Proposal to the Unicode Consortium

Me, I’m looking forward to messaging:

. ?

Next, I put together a detailed proposal and my brother did the creative design for a cargo bike emoji. Via a twitter poll we found that the ‘box/trike’ design was most popular. The

David Majarich is an Australian cargo bike fan living in North East England. Join the #CargoBikeEmoji

THE ICBF MAGAZINE 2021

conversation with him on Twitter: @davidmajarich

Gives you a head start Content & campaigns Design & realization Positioning & development Strategy & communication

avnc.nl

CARGO BIKES IN THE PICTURE

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