Cargobikes in the Netherlands: a sustainable way to move and live

Wednesday, 06 September 2023

Strolling the Dutch streets, it is almost impossible not to come across one particular mode of transportation, the cargo-bike. Built on two or three wheels and used to transport passengers and/or goods, it has become a symbol of the Dutch way of life. Its use is now so extensive that it has contributed to the transformation of urban street planning, creating a greener and more human-friendly city. In the Netherlands it is not just a vehicle but is seen as an affirmation of a practical and sustainable lifestyle.

Cargobikes history

There are records of the earliest examples of bicycle-cargo as early as the 19th century, a period during which it was used in the Old World mainly to transport goods. Their construction was quite primitive and basically consisted of a large wooden box with two wheels. Primary goods such as milk and bread were delivered with it. The real breakthrough came in the 1930s, when bicycles with metal frames began to be made that allowed travelers to load heavier weights. At least until the mid-twentieth century, the cargobike was used only for professional/commercial purposes. It was only thirty years ago that it began to be successful as a means of transportation for people, especially children. This also concurs with the advancement of road regulations: in fact, it is only since 1990 that cargobikes are recognized as bicycles and thus their use is allowed on bicycle paths (this made transportation safer for families).

In the past two decades, the engineering and design development of cargobikes have made great strides. Made from a variety of materials, with modular platforms, and with front or rear carts, they present a solution to almost every transportation need.

An alternative way of doing business

There are numerous local companies, and others, that have decided to organize city deliveries by bike-cargo. Some famous examples are MarleenKookt (freschio meal delivery every day thanks to a poll of Urban Arrow eltrettic bikes), PostNL (the Dutch postal service that makes use of different types and brands of bikes), AH (the famous Dutch supermarket chain has experimented with delivery by XL carobics), and Coolblue (an online platform with more than 300 webshops and 7 physical stores). There are also a large number of small entrepreneurs and stores using this system, including wine shops, delicatessens, plumbers, physical therapists, and hairdressers. Why choose cargobikes for your business? For us, the main reasons are 3:

Reduced operating costs
Better environmental impact
Speed in city deliveries

Sustainability of cargobikes

Accedmic studies have shown how the extensive use of cargo-bikes in densely populated areas are an excellent sustainable alternative to classic road transportation. Bicycles are a versatile way to get around with a very low environmental impact. In spaces where traffic congestion is high, their use is an important and profitable investment. An interesting point to note is that there have been companies here for years that also allow bike-sharing for cargobikes. Among them, the most famous is Cargoroo, which allows you to rent electric bikes from the Urban Arrow brand via app, with services starting from 1 hour.

Ideal for city life

In cities like Amsterdam, cargobikes can be seen on every street. There are dozens of models you can find, from the most rudimentary to the most elegant. Nowadays, the most substantial difference lies in the presence or absence of batteries that allow you to carry more weight, travel longer distances, and travel with greater comfort. Six years ago we also converted to this type of bike. For us it is useful both in daily family management: we can avoid car traffic (in the capital we often move faster than by car), we can reach destinations otherwise difficult by other means, and we can park in front of our arrival point. In addition to this, it seems that several municipalities are moving to limit the use of cars downtown (long waiting list to get a permit, high hourly cost to park downtown). This is all to the benefit of bicycle and public transportation use.

About the author

Silvia Causin

Welcome! I am Silvia, Italian by birth but Amsterdammer by heart and founder of AmsterdaMobile. Having always been passionate about art, touring and tourism, I decided to open this company to offer travellers a new way to explore the culture, art and history of Amsterdam. In recent years I have added to my master’s degree in the History of Arts from the University of Venice, the city referred to, jokingly of course, by Amsterdammers as the "Amsterdam of the South". I became a qualified tour guide specialized in accessible tours. Do you want to find out more about the beauties and stories of this corner of the world? Follow us also on Instagram by clicking here

Benvenuti! Sono Silvia, italiana di nascita ma Amsterdammer di cuore e fondatrice di AmsterdaMobile. Da sempre appassionata di arte, turismo e turismo, ho deciso di aprire questa azienda per offrire ai viaggiatori un nuovo modo di esplorare la cultura, l'arte e la storia di Amsterdam. Negli ultimi anni ho conseguito la laurea magistrale in Storia delle Arti presso l'Università di Venezia, la città scherzosamente definita dagli Amsterdammers "l'Amsterdam del Sud". Sono diventata una guida turistica qualificata specializzata in tour accessibili. Vuoi saperne di più sulle bellezze e le storie di questo angolo di mondo? Seguici anche su Instagram cliccando qui.

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