We present our latest study that brings rigorous data analysis to the emerging field of cargo bike logistics. Our research demonstrates that cargo bikes can deliver packages more than twice as efficiently as traditional vans in urban environments – while being up to 10 times more cost-effective.
Working with Urbike, a pioneering cargo bike operator in Brussels, we developed a comprehensive framework to evaluate vehicle performance across different urban contexts. By collecting detailed GPS traces from their fleet of electric Bullitt cargo bikes over a month and a half, analyzing over 7,340 deliveries across 907 routes, we were able to quantify the advantages of cargo bikes in unprecedented detail.
The results were striking: we find that cargo bikes maintain a consistent speed of 16 km/h across Brussels’ variable urban terrain, unaffected by the congestion that constrains vans to 11.3 km/h.
Our most compelling finding comes from combining GPS traces with delivery task data. On the routes we analysed from Urbike, cargo bikes achieve 10.1 deliveries per hour compared to 4.9 for vans. This dramatic efficiency gain stems from multiple factors:
The economic advantages proved equally significant. Our analysis of total cost of ownership – factoring in purchase costs, maintenance, insurance, depreciation, and energy consumption – reveals that cargo bikes reduce delivery costs to just €0.10 per parcel, compared to €1.10 for diesel vans and €1.05 for electric vans.
Environmental impact assessment using the European Commission’s life cycle analysis methodology demonstrated that electric cargo bikes achieve a 98% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel vans and a 96% reduction versus electric vans.
These findings come at a critical moment. Global parcel volumes are projected to reach 200 billion by 2025, more than doubling from 2018 levels. Recent studies suggest that up to 67% of urban van deliveries could be transitioned to cargo bikes – a shift that our research indicates would bring substantial efficiency gains while dramatically reducing emissions.
By establishing a rigorous analytical framework and gathering extensive empirical data, this study provides compelling evidence for logistics operators and policymakers to confidently transition substantial portions of urban freight to zero-emission cycling logistics. The implications extend beyond immediate operational benefits – widespread cargo bike adoption could help decongest cities, improve air quality, and accelerate the shift toward more sustainable urban transport systems.
As cities worldwide grapple with increasing delivery volumes and the urgent need to reduce emissions, data-driven approaches will be crucial for developing effective, sustainable solutions.
Learn more about our methodology and findings in the full study.
You can find a brief of the study by Larry vs Harry here.