Promoting the potential of cargo bikes (The Netherlands)

Participants from 25 countries convened for a lively discussion on the current and future role of cargo bikes in Europe and beyond at the 3rd International Cargo Bike Festival, which took place from 16 - 17 April 2016 in Nijmegen (The Netherlands).

While previous editions of the event were more focused on the technical aspects of manufacturing a cargo bike, the 2016 edition shifted its attention to standards in the industry, using containers, accommodating pallets, and better connecting with existing distribution hubs and transport links.

Dozens of models of cargo bikes were on display in the Innovation Expo - from small, manoeuvrable vehicles to much larger varieties.

Participants noted that the event wasn't about selling products - it was about exchanging with their peers, sharing struggles and successes, and spreading the message about the potential for cargo bikes in city logistics. This potential is significant: up to 51 percent of the trips related to transporting goods could be completed using cargo bikes. In the Netherlands alone, this means that up to 400,000 delivery vans could be replaced by cargo bikes.

To see more results from the event, take a look at the digitally published International Cargo Bike Festival Magazine or view a video covering the event.

The next International Cargo Bike Festival will take place from 11-13 June 2017, preceding the Velo-city Conference which is taking place in the Dutch cities of Nijmegen and Arnhem from 13-16 June.

For those interested in how bicycles are improving city logistics, the European Cycle Logistics Conference will take place in Vienna (Austria) from 20-21 March 2017.

Photo credit: Marjet van Veelen