Four-wheeled electric cargo bikes could replace delivery vans in NYC

Bike lanes in New York City could be getting a lot more crowded if a plan to allow large four-wheeled pedal-assist cargo bikes as delivery vehicles is approved.

The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) is set to make a move to safer and more sustainable urban deliveries by approving the use of larger pedal-assist cargo bikes. The agency’s decision comes as a response to the growing demand for eco-friendly and efficient freight solutions. This move is poised to redefine the city’s delivery landscape while addressing concerns about traffic congestion and carbon emissions.

In an announcement made by NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, the agency introduced the proposed rule that would make way for small delivery vehicles that look like miniature delivery vans to use the city’s bike lanes.

“Safety and sustainability go hand in hand in New York City, and our administration is innovating every day and using every tool available to advance both,” emphasized New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Cargo bikes have been a valuable tool in our administration’s efforts to move goods throughout the city while prioritising street safety and our environment, and these pedal-assist cargo bikes will help New Yorkers get the items they need while reducing carbon emissions and traffic congestion — and getting dangerous trucks off our streets.”

Rodriguez underscored the environmental and safety benefits of this initiative.

“Greater use of cargo bikes will bring incredible environmental and safety benefits for New York City by reducing the number of large, high-polluting trucks on our streets,” Rodriguez said. “Just two cargo bikes can replace one box truck, increasing safety and reducing CO2 emission by 14 tons per year — equivalent to 30,872 passenger car miles traveled.”

The proposed rule seeks to expand the range of low or no-emission delivery options by permitting pedal-assist bicycles with widths of up to 48 inches and the allowance of four wheels. This expansion in dimensions, combined with the pedal-assist technology, aims to make cargo bikes more feasible for carrying heavy loads while maintaining ease of use.

Since the initiation of the Commercial Cargo Bike pilot program in 2019, cargo-bike deliveries have surged in New York City. Last year, cargo bikes undertook over 130,000 trips, delivering more than 5 million packages and resulting in a significant reduction of over 650,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions. The efficacy of cargo bikes as a last-mile delivery solution has been strongly demonstrated. Based on the continuous growth of the freight delivery sector, NYC DOT identified untapped potential that could be addressed through the proposed rule change.

The announcement of the proposed rule on Aug. 14 marks the commencement of a 30-day public comment period. NYC DOT has scheduled a virtual public hearing for Sept. 13, at 10:00 a.m., where stakeholders can voice their opinions and concerns regarding the rule. Written comments can also be submitted through various channels including the NYC rules website, email, mail, and fax.

Delivery vans around any major city present serious problems that can be alleviated with greater reliance on electric cargo bikes from pollution to congestion to public safety. Every day, there are photos on social media of large delivery vans blocking bike lanes forcing bicyclists into live traffic. Hopefully, this initiate will prove so successful that it is accompanied by a marked increase in protected bike lanes that are wide enough to be safe for all users.

UPS, for example, has been testing the vehicles in New York City since 2022.

Read all about it! 🗞 @UPS eBikes hit streets of Manhattan testing pilot program for deliveries w/ UPS @fernhay eQuad. It’s an electric cargo bike allowing for more #sustainable deliveries in urban areas. Full circle for 100+ yr company that started as a bike messenger service.🚲 pic.twitter.com/HLRd8Cbg5g

— UPS Public Affairs (@UPSPolicy) June 14, 2022

Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director of Open Plans, stressed the positive attributes of cargo bikes.

“Cargo bikes can do the same work as a delivery truck without negatively impacting our neighborhoods,” Lind said. “Paired with wider, safer bike lanes and reliable loading zones, cargo bikes are an excellent, efficient way to accommodate booming e-commerce in the 21st century.”

As New York City continues to evolve its approach to urban transportation, the proposed rule marks a significant stride towards a greener, more efficient delivery ecosystem.