Quieter and greener transport through the city centres on e-cargo bikes

Research for sustainable and efficient, commercial transport in urban settings

"The provision of 150 cargo bikes puts 'I unload cities' on the list of very large-scale pilot projects in Germany, and even Europe-wide, which will create opportunities to test the commercial use of cargo bikes," says Barbara Lenz, Head of the DLR Institute of Transport Research. "The project aims to raise awareness about cargo bikes as a green and economically efficient means of transport for broad commercial use and hence to demonstrate methods of designing sustainable transportation systems to influencers in the business and public sector communities," explains Lenz.

'I unload cities' is coordinated by scientists at the DLR Institute of Transport Research and organised in collaboration with local government districts, chambers of industry and commerce, cargo bike manufacturers and other business partners. The close cooperation with regional partners from industry and public sector institutions ensures that the cargo bike idea will reach a broader audience across Germany, while also providing stakeholders with opportunities for vehicle tests and consultancy in the field.

Hop on and ride – test pilots are needed Germany-wide

Starting now and until mid-2019, a recruitment drive will be launched to find several hundred companies and institutions that are interested in trying a cargo bike as a commercial means of transport and who are willing to test its everyday suitability in a roughly three-month trial period. "This easy access to opportunities for testing an alternative vehicle type is particularly interesting to small companies, as they will not have to accept any financial risk," says Johannes Gruber, project manager at the Institute of Transport Research. "We offer a broad range of cargo bike models, for instance tricycles, single-track Long Johns (extended wheelbase and load bed in front of the handlebars) or heavy-duty transporters with a load capacity of up to 300 kilograms," Gruber continues. The choice of 17 different cargo bike models and the provision of extensive information material will allow even inexperienced users to get started immediately, while permitting a bespoke solution to reflect the transport needs of the individual companies. The 'I unload cities' project therefore gives interested parties the convenient and cost-efficient opportunity to test a cargo bike for their businesses.

• Information for applications

  Applications online atwww.lastenradtest.deWho can apply?Small to mid-sized companies from all sectors, public sector institutions, trade firms and self-employed personsTest periodSeptember 2017 to mid-2019Lending periodRoughly 3 monthsCosts€1.00 per day and cargo bike. The fee includes transport, maintenance, repair and comprehensive insurance coverage.

Accompanying scientific research

The two-year test phase will be accompanied by scientific research to analyse user acceptance and to estimate impact on the environment and traffic. For this purpose, the transportation researchers will conduct ongoing surveys of test participants and will analyse vehicle movements, for instance using a proprietary project app. "What interests us as scientists is to find out how the cargo bikes are used in everyday business, what they are used for, what motivates the companies from various sectors to use them, and ultimately how the willingness to purchase a cargo bike develops over time," Gruber explains. "Moreover, this accompanying research will enable us to make sound statements on the environmental impact and the future role of cargo bikes within a sustainable and efficient system of urban commercial transport."