This September, the City of Mechelen and water company Pidpa will launch a 5-week pilot project testing electric cargo bikes for technicians working in the city’s historic centre. Supported by the MoLo Hubs project, the pilot project explores how cargo bikes can make urban service logistics more efficient, accessible, and sustainable.
"Urban service providers - like electricians and plumbers - are responsible for a significant share of kilometres driven in cities, second only to the construction sector," explains Alexander Vandersmissen, Mechelen’s Alderman for Mobility and Economy. "Most of this happens with vans, meaning that there is real potential to shift to more sustainable modes like cargo bikes."
On June 3rd, Pidpa technicians tested the bikes in real city conditions and provided feedback on what works, what needs improvement, and what tools must be included. This input is now being used to customise the bikes to their needs.
During the pilot, technicians will leave their vans at a hub on the city’s edge and switch to cargo bikes for service visits in the centre. The bikes will be equipped with all necessary tools to carry out on-site repairs.
“This way, we can maintain fast and flexible service in the heart of the city, while reducing our environmental footprint,” says Eddy Troosters, CEO of Pidpa. “It’s a step toward more sustainable urban operations.”
Mechelen is already familiar with cargo bikes through a previous project focused on retailers, but this is the first time the city is supporting their use in service logistics. “The needs of service professionals are different - they require robust, custom-designed bikes,” says Vandersmissen. “That’s exactly what we’re working on with Pidpa.”
Source: City of Mechelen