Pidpa is the first water company in Flanders to trial electric cargo bikes. From 15 September, its technicians will trade their vans for fully equipped bikes during a five-week pilot in Mechelen.
The cargo bikes have been customized to meet the technicians’ needs, with space for tools and equipment, while offering the flexibility to move easily through the city center without access restrictions or parking issues. The pilot will explore both the advantages and the limitations of this approach, such as load capacity and battery range.
In preparation, Pidpa’s technicians received hands-on training from the Flemish Foundation for Traffic Knowledge (VSV), combining theory with practical cycling exercises. This ensures they can operate the bikes safely and confidently in daily operations.
“This project shows how sustainable and efficient business practices can go hand in hand,” says Alderman for Mobility and Economy Alexander Vandersmissen.
The pilot takes inspiration from the "Park + Switch" solution in Amsterdam, where service providers leave their vans at a hub on the edge of the city and continue their journeys with a light electric vehicle. By testing a similar approach in Mechelen, Pidpa and the city aim to assess how the model can be tailored to local needs.
Read more about "Park + Switch" here >>.
Funded through MoLo Hubs, the project demonstrates how companies with specific service requirements can work more sustainably without compromising efficiency. “It’s a step forward in reducing traffic and creating a more livable city,” adds Vandersmissen.
Christophe Poels, Director Sales and Marketing at Pidpa, agrees: “With electric cargo bikes we can continue serving our customers quickly and reliably, while contributing to a more sustainable city.”
Source: City of Mechelen