The use of cargo bikes is growing rapidly in cities all over the world, which is good for the environment and has a lot of economic benefits for companies as well. The purchase and maintenance costs are less than the ones for delivery trucks and in urban areas the cargo bike has proven itself as a fast, reliable and cost efficient mode of transport.

On March 20 and 21, 2017 specialists from all over the world discussed the potentials of cargo bikes at the "European Cycle Logistics Conference" in our Cities for Cyclists’ member city Vienna. Over 400 delegates from 27 countries participated in the conference in Vienna and 60 companies presented innovative transport bicycles and concepts. The conference was supported by the City of Vienna.

Bernhard Ensink, Secretary General of ECF, was present and was excited about the success of the conference: “The conference in Vienna showed that Cycle logistics is becoming mainstream! And ECF is happy that our international work gives a boost to more people cycling, and more transport of goods by bike!”

Incentives for cargo bikes in Vienna

Many small businesses and companies and large logistic providers like UPS are already using cargo bikes in Vienna. According to Martin Blum, from the Mobility Agency Vienna, the use of bicycle logistics will grow steadily in Vienna and he stresses that the City of Vienna will set the framework to support and promote the use of cargo bikes. This might include distribution centres in the vicinity to the city centre, accessible to trucks, to distribute the freight to cargo bikes. Since March 2017 the City of Vienna is subsidising private and commercial cargo bikes and the city will continue to promote and support cargo bikes in the upcoming years. The budget for the subsidising is 300.000 euros. 

The presentations from the speakers are available online, here.