Electric cargo bikes are becoming increasingly popular among both businesses and families, and for good reason. These bikes are widely regarded as the future of city mobility due to their eco-friendliness, ability to reduce traffic congestion, space-saving properties, and overall enjoyable user experience.
Electric cargo bikes offer an impressive amount of storage capacity, making them a versatile option for transporting a wide range of items such as groceries, parcels, children, and pets in a city for short or medium distances. Essentially, e-cargo bikes combine the joy and flexibility of riding a bicycle with the capacity and comfort similar to that of a car.
Given the variety of shapes, forms, and sizes available, it can be overwhelming to navigate the details and intricacies of these vehicles. That’s why we’ve created this guide to provide you with everything you need to know to select the right electric cargo bike for your business.
What Is An Electric Cargo Bike?
An electric cargo bike is essentially an electric bicycle that comes equipped with a built-in cargo area at the front or back of the bike. These bikes are specifically designed with a frame and drivetrain that can handle heavier loads than an ordinary bicycle. The cargo area can come in the form of an open or enclosed box, a flat platform, or a basket, offering versatile options for transporting everything from children, pets, and groceries to business deliveries or even serving as a food cart.
Cargo bikes have been in use for centuries, with their origins traced back to Holland where local tradesmen utilised them for transporting their goods. While Holland is often credited with the invention of cargo bikes, there are various forms of these bikes that have been used throughout the world for many years. One of the most famous examples is the Indian rickshaw.
E-cargo bikes are a modernised version of the traditional cargo bike, providing an electric boost to make it easier to transport heavy loads, navigate hilly landscapes, and travel longer distances at faster speeds. These bikes have the capacity to carry loads comparable to a small car while maintaining the compact and eco-friendly properties of a standard bicycle.
While cargo bikes have been particularly popular in Western Europe, specifically in the Netherlands and Denmark, they are now gaining worldwide recognition. In the wake of the pandemic biking surge, numerous cities, including Paris, Budapest, and Vilnius, took the opportunity to revamp their urban environments by creating designated biking lanes and enhancing cycling and pedestrian infrastructure.
This provided an opportunity to switch from family cars and delivery vans to the greener, and let’s face it, more enjoyable, alternative of the electric cargo bike. These bikes are increasingly common sights throughout Europe, and many countries offer cargo bike subsidies to promote clean mobility.
What Are The Benefits Of Using An Electric Cargo Bike?
Using an e-cargo bike offers numerous advantages, ranging from personal benefits such as cost savings and comfort to societal benefits like reduced pollution and smoother traffic.
Faster Commuting
Compared to cars, e-cargo bikes offer a significantly faster option for short to middle-distance trips, particularly in congested cities where car traffic moves notoriously slow. For example, in 2018, central London’s average traffic speed on weekdays was 11.4 km/h, while bikes moved at 15 km/h. Studies comparing delivery vans to electric cargo bikes also show that e-cargo bikes can deliver up to 60% faster. Cargo bikes are more agile in traffic than cars and the development of biking infrastructure can further increase this advantage.
Cutting Costs
Using an e-cargo bike is more cost-effective than a regular van in all aspects. One of the main reasons for this is that e-cargo bikes are much cheaper to purchase or rent than cars. Additionally, the cost per km is significantly lower, being 10 times less than a petrol-powered car. Moreover, bikes are not subject to emissions tax or parking fees in congested city centres, making them a more economical option. Riders can also save time as they can find parking spaces more easily and navigate through traffic more quickly than cars. Combining all these factors with lower monthly upkeep expenses, it’s hard to overlook the financial benefits of using an e-cargo bike.
Less Congestion & Pollution
Electric cargo bikes contribute to reducing traffic congestion and air pollution. They take up less space on the road and can use bike lanes, allowing them to bypass traffic congestion. Additionally, they have a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to cars, emitting 95% less CO2 over a 200,000 km lifetime. This makes them a greener and more sustainable transportation option for people and businesses alike.
For the reasons mentioned above, cargo bikes can contribute to creating more liveable cities for all. By reducing traffic congestion and emissions, they help improve air quality and reduce noise pollution. Additionally, they take up less space on the road and can reduce the need for parking spots and extra car lanes, making streets more accessible and enjoyable for pedestrians and cyclists.
What Types Of Businesses Can Use Electric Cargo Bikes?
Electric cargo bikes can be used by a variety of businesses that require transportation of goods or materials within dense urban areas. Some examples include:
- Delivery services for groceries, restaurants, and other goods.
- Postal services.
- Food carts for ice cream, coffee, sandwiches, and other treats.
- Street cleaners or recycling collectors.
- Any businesses that need to transport inventory, cargo, tools, or other materials.
Using electric cargo bikes for these purposes can help businesses cut costs, reduce emissions, and improve their overall efficiency.
CityQ Cargo Bikes
The CityQ concept aims to enhance urban mobility by providing an eco-friendly and efficient mode of transportation. The idea involves using compact electric vehicles specifically designed to navigate through dense urban areas with ease. CityQ provides a convenient and sustainable alternative to traditional transportation methods.
CityQ’s range of four-wheeled electric bicycles is designed to offer a more attractive option for urban transportation, enabling year-round cycling. It aims to replace cars and vans with an optimal electric bike that provides car-like capacity, comfort, efficiency, and safety. The CityQ ebikes are a more environmentally friendly option for city dwellers, with a sustainability level that is 90% higher than traditional transportation methods. Contact us to find out more.