Get Ready for Electric Cargo Bikes on Your Street

As per the New York City Department of Transportation, cargo bikes completed a remarkable 130,000 trips in NYC last year, successfully delivering over 5 million packages.

NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez has now revealed that the agency has taken decisive steps to permit the utilization of larger pedal-assist cargo bikes. This move aims to further reduce the presence of delivery trucks on the city's streets.

These vehicles fall into a size category larger than standard e-bikes but significantly smaller than the box trucks and delivery vans commonly employed in the US for similar purposes.

Typically, they are equipped with a rear cargo box affixed to a more extensive platform cargo bike frame. These vehicles utilize bicycle pedals in conjunction with standard mid-drive motors, a prevalent configuration among most electric cargo bikes.

The realization of the New York City Department of Transportation's vision could integrate these practical last-mile delivery bikes into the city's landscape. To accommodate these cargo e-bikes, the NYC DOT is set to revise existing regulations.

Electric cargo bikes navigating New York City's streets and bike lanes were constrained to a maximum width of 36 inches (91 cm) and no more than three wheels. Under the proposed alteration, as outlined by the NYC DOT, the rule would be broadened to "enhance eco-friendly alternatives for freight deliveries, encompassing packages and groceries.

Instead of congested city streets filled with delivery vans, the possibility of handling package deliveries via fleets of four-wheeled cargo e-bikes, featuring spacious, van-like rear sections, could soon be a reality.

Courtesy: Electrek