Success of micro-depot in central Hamburg

APCOA, based in Stuttgart, runs a large portfolio of car parks in Germany. They have started redeploying some of the space to host micro-depots for cycle logistics. In central Hamburg, they have taken over the operation of a succesful pilot, originally led by Reallabor Hamburg (RealLabHH), an initiative of the German government’s “National Platform for…

New large trike from Rytle being tested by DHL in Trier

EBike24 reports on the innovation of the MovR3, the new model by Bremen-based Rytle The rider’s cubicle Entering the MovR3 is almost like walking through an archway. On the sides, the revised body made of glass fibre-reinforced plastic forms large, round openings. The circle is also found in the rear wall as a window The…

The workhorse on Mexican streets

Nice photo gallery on BikePacking.com of the different users of the Mercurio cargobike around Mexico. They’re used for all manner of duties, including commerce. My favourites are packed with an enormous cooler of homemade paletas or aguas frescas, their pilots announcing their approach with a comical squeezy horn that can be heard three blocks away, often with a…

Vodafone technicians in NL on SunRider cargobikes

SunRider produces rear-loading cargobikes with solar panels on the roof and the sides of the cargobox. They claim that “by charging on the move one has up to an additional 100 km of range per day” Vodafone is starting a pilot using a SunRider bike in Utrecht. The bike’s on-board equipment will record a whole…

Even in heavy industries, there are lighter jobs where cargobikes can shine

Last September Construction Manager Magazine ran a story that showed some examples of cargobikes being used in an industry that one associates with much heavier machinery. Champion of these case studies is Michael Barratt, development impact assessment manager at Transport for London. His exposure to the link between construction and cargobikes started when he had…

Italian cargobikes for street cleaning

We reported earlier this year that Veolia is trialling refuse cargobikes in Central London The bikes called CyClean are built by Italian company Brezza, based near Milan They feature reverse drive, two batteries for 50km range and a tippable cargo box Another Italian company that offers refuse collection cargobikes is T-cargo; a more basic box,…

German Environment Ministry offers grants for micro-depots

As part of its initiative to promote commercial cargobikes, the German Environment Ministry is now offering grants to set up last-mile micro consolidation depots. Micro depot guidelineMicro depots are used for the temporary storage and transfer of consignments to cargo bikes, with which the delivery “on the last mile” is carried out emission-free. The “last…

Why give an operator monopoly over a micro-depot?

While European cycle logistics depots have been set up in collaboration with several operators, the City of London has decided to award an exclusive contract to Amazon to run a new depot. Is that wise? The Hamburg public transport agency, Hamburger Hochbahn, has just opened a last mile logistics depot. Four companies will be operating…