Cargo E-Bikes Aim to Mainstream Car-Free Cities

Published 09 September 2024

2 min read

Opting for a car-free lifestyle is the most impactful individual action for reducing emissions – but only 17% of global consumers believe it makes a significant difference (Ipsos, 2024). Yet, with 46% worldwide open to replacing their private vehicles with non-car transport (McKinsey, 2023), innovative cargo e-bike schemes are enticing aspiring car-free urbanites with low-impact, high-capacity solutions.

  • On-the-Go Urban Cargo Transport: Dutch e-mobility start-up Cargoroo offers shared electric cargo bikes – which it positions as an alternative to cars – across cities in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. A loading compartment carries up to two kids, and a baby car seat can be safely secured in the cargo space (facing the cyclist). Costing €6.60 ($7.30) per hour, users can find and unlock one of Cargoroo’s e-bikes through its app.

    Similarly, Boston-based bike-sharing start-up CargoB launched a small fleet of cargo e-bikes in July 2024, citing benefits like cleaner, quieter, and more joyful transport (compared to cars). Users can unlock one of the bikes for $2.50 in CargoB’s app, and ride for 25 cents per minute until it’s brought back to its home station.
  • On-the-Go Urban Cargo Transport: Dutch e-mobility start-up Cargoroo offers shared electric cargo bikes – which it positions as an alternative to cars – across cities in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. A loading compartment carries up to two kids, and a baby car seat can be safely secured in the cargo space (facing the cyclist). Costing €6.60 ($7.30) per hour, users can find and unlock one of Cargoroo’s e-bikes through its app.

    Similarly, Boston-based bike-sharing start-up CargoB launched a small fleet of cargo e-bikes in July 2024, citing benefits like cleaner, quieter, and more joyful transport (compared to cars). Users can unlock one of the bikes for $2.50 in CargoB’s app, and ride for 25 cents per minute until it’s brought back to its home station.

Cargoroo

Cargoroo

Cargoroo

Cargoroo

Cargoroo

Cargoroo

Cargoroo

Cargoroo

Cargoroo

CargoB

CargoB

CargoB

CargoB

CargoB

CargoB

  • Cargo E-Bike Subscription: German cargo-bike rental service Welgo offers longer-term cargo e-bike subscriptions (one month to two years) across Germany, Belgium and France. Users keep their e-bikes at home, akin to leasing, and can pick from different models to suit specific needs – such as transporting up to four children, or heavier cargo, like furniture.

    Subscriptions start from €179 ($198) per month, which also covers repairs, maintenance, and insurance against theft, breakages and damage. Welgo also offers accessory rentals with its cargo e-bikes, such as baby seats, rain and storm canopies, dog carriers and bicycle bags.
  • Cargo E-Bike Subscription: German cargo-bike rental service Welgo offers longer-term cargo e-bike subscriptions (one month to two years) across Germany, Belgium and France. Users keep their e-bikes at home, akin to leasing, and can pick from different models to suit specific needs – such as transporting up to four children, or heavier cargo, like furniture.

    Subscriptions start from €179 ($198) per month, which also covers repairs, maintenance, and insurance against theft, breakages and damage. Welgo also offers accessory rentals with its cargo e-bikes, such as baby seats, rain and storm canopies, dog carriers and bicycle bags.

Welgo

Welgo

Welgo

Welgo

Welgo

Welgo

Welgo

Welgo

For more on sustainable transport, see our Spotlight Trend Accelerated Futures.

For more on sustainable transport, see our Spotlight Trend Accelerated Futures.