E-Cargo Bikes: Strategies for Municipal Delivery Transition

Illustration of an e-cargo bike. A green bike with a large gray and white cargo box on the back. Illustration behind the bike is of a light green colored road map.

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MAPC >> Resources >> Transportation >> E-Cargo Bikes: Strategies for Municipal Delivery Transition

E-Cargo Bikes: Strategies for Municipal Delivery Transition

Small-scale deliveries for big impact in Greater Boston's cities and towns.

Today in Greater Boston, most deliveries are made by cars, vans, and trucks with internal combustion engines. These vehicles contribute to congestion, emit greenhouse gases and hazardous pollutants, and make streets and sidewalks less safe for pedestrians and cyclists. Electric cargo bikes – e-cargo bikes – can provide an alternative form of delivery that is cleaner, safer, and faster. E-cargo bikes are electric bikes that have compartments or attachments made to carry people or goods.

E-cargo bikes can contribute to the state’s goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding mobility, and creating safer streets, and cities and towns can support the adoption and success of e-cargo bikes in many ways. This framework identifies strategies that municipalities can employ to support the transition from traditional delivery vehicles to e-cargo bikes. This framework was developed in conjunction with the Boston Delivers program – an 18-month e-cargo bike pilot program focused in the Allston, a neighborhood in Boston. During this program, more than 20,000 deliveries were made via e-cargo bike. As a first-of-its-kind pilot program in the region, the City of Boston and partners explored the infrastructure, policy, and program design changes needed to support e-cargo bikes.

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Overview

E-Cargo Bikes in Greater Boston

Opportunities to Support E-Cargo Bike Deliveries Locally

Resources

This framework was written by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) in conjunction with the City of Boston’s Transportation Department. Funding was provided through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s (MassCEC) Accelerating Clean Transportation for All (ACT4All) Grant. MAPC collaborated with municipal staff, e-commerce companies, transportation advocates, and other stakeholders to develop this resource.

E-Cargo Bike Overview

E-cargo bikes come in many shapes and sizes. They vary in number of wheels, location and capacity of the cargo storage, width, height, power, controls, and more. For the purposes of this guide, an e-cargo bike is an electric bicycle that has a built-in or attached cargo compartment. The Urban Freight Lab’s Biking the Goods report details the anatomy of e-cargo bikes and describes six common models, including: Conventional e-bike with built-in racks; Long Tail; Dutch Bakfiets or Long-John; Cargo Trike; Trailer; and Quad Bike.

Learn more about the types of e-cargo bikes, the anatomy of an e-cargo bike, and much more through the Biking the Goods report, published in October 2023 by the Urban Frieght Lab at the University of Washington.

Access the Biking the Goods Report

E-cargo bikes come in many shapes and sizes. They vary in number of wheels, location and capacity of the cargo storage, width, height, power, controls, and more.

Throughout the course of the Boston Delivers pilot program, different types of electric cargo bikes were used. The Coaster Cycle Venture with and without the trailer was the most used form factor in addition to the Fulpra Cargo Trike.

White e-cargo bike. The cargo box on the back of the bike is white with different advertising text and white and blue colors on it. The bike is parked on the sidewalk in front of a building.

Coaster Cycle Venture: 13.5 cubic feet of storage capacity, top-loading cargo box and 39 plus miles of range. Photo Credit: Net Zero Logistics.

A white e-cargo bike with a small cargo white and blue cargo box on the back with advertising text on it. On a trailor attached to the bike is another, larger multi colored cargo box with advertising box on it. The boke is parked next to a large brick building.

Coaster Cycle Venture with Trailer: Max load capacity of 200 lbs. Photo Credit: Net Zero Logistics.

A black e-cargo bike with a black cargo box on the back of the bike. Numerous words and different colored text and design boxes are on the cargo box. It is parked on the sidewalk in front of stairs.

Fulpra Cargo Trike: 2.5 square meters and 375kg load capacity, 70km range. Photo Credit: Net Zero Logistics.

Benefits of E-Cargo Bikes

Climate change, traffic congestion, and street safety pose significant challenges in the Greater Boston region today. As of 2020, the transportation sector contributed to 37% of statewide emissions. The transportation data company Inrix released a study in January 2023 listing Boston as having the second worst traffic in the country and the fourth worst on the planet. Transportation is a top contributor to climate change and expanding access to sustainable mobility and delivery options, such as e-bikes and e-cargo bikes, offers an effective solution.

To meaningfully alleviate the region’s reliance on gas-powered vehicles and decrease emissions, Greater Boston needs to invest in and pilot sustainable, electrified modes of transportation.

Most deliveries in the Boston region – from small packages or food orders to bulk supplies – are transported by fossil fuel-powered cars, trucks, and vans. These delivery vehicles negatively impact our streets in many ways. The table below details the challenges of traditional delivery vehicles and how e-cargo bikes negate those challenges.

	Internal Combustion Engines, Cars, Vans, and Trucks	E-Cargo Bikes
Congestion and Parking	Vehicles contribute to traffic congestion and worsen congestion when circling for parking and when parked on the street; Delivery vehicles often get ticketed for parking illegally	Can travel via bike lanes, which is often faster than driving; can park on sidewalks or in designated bike parking zones, reducing time circling for parking and receiving fewer parking tickets
Air Quality	Tailpipe emissions of greenhouse gases and harmful pollutants	No direct emissions of greenhouse gases or pollutants
Street Safety	Parking on sidewalks and in bike lanes causes cyclists and pedestrians to enter car lanes; accidents with larger vehicles are more lethal	Bikes do not block street and can park on sidewalks or in designated parking areas
Delivery Workers	Need a license (sometimes commercial/truck license) to operate vehicles	Licenses are not required to operate e-cargo bikes, providing more job opportunities

E-Cargo Bikes in Greater Boston

In September 2023, the City of Boston launched Boston Delivers, a pilot program that promoted and facilitated an e-cargo bike delivery service for businesses in Boston.

The goals of the pilot program included reducing urban congestion, reducing carbon emissions, increasing equity through sustainable deliveries, improving safety, and supporting local businesses. The City contracted with Net Zero Logistics, an e-cargo bike delivery operator, which supplied the e-cargo bikes, managed the deliveries, and oversaw logistics.

The program initially focused on the Allston-Brighton neighborhood, which is home to a diverse population, including students and immigrants from Korean, Vietnamese, Brazilian, and Central American communities. This area was selected due to strong support from local organizations, such as the Allston Main Streets Association and the Allston-Brighton Health Collaborative, which aided in outreach efforts during the pilot. Allston and Brighton are also recognized as Environmental Justice communities that experience disproportionate effects from climate change and environmental degradation. The program had a particular focus on supporting small, women, and minority-owned businesses (MWBEs) in the area.

Funding for the pilot was obtained through a $490,000 grant from the MassCEC’s Accelerating Clean Transportation For All (ACT4All). The funding helped cover operational start-up costs for Net Zero Logistics and subsidized the delivery costs for participating businesses. Through the program, around 20,000 deliveries were completed via e-cargo bike. Several small businesses and service providers participated in the program, including City Fresh Foods, OliToki, and Allston-Brighton Health Collaborative.

The City spent a little over a year developing the service model with Net Zero Logistics, identifying a staging location, and recruiting local businesses to participate.

Throughout the course of the program Boston Delivers made over 20,000 deliveries in partnership with Boston businesses including City Fresh Foods, the Allston Brighton Health Collaborative, and local restaurant OliToki.

Lessons Learned

Boston Delivers highlighted several lessons learned and challenges of delivering goods via e-cargo bike. The learnings from this program will help Boston and other cities and towns support e-cargo bikes through policies, programs, and infrastructure. The key insights of the program are:

Staging Requirements

The first obstacle encountered by the program involved identifying the right staging location for pilot operations. Based on other e-cargo bike pilots, such as the one launched in Seattle in 2018, the city initially believed operations could be staged out of a municipal parking lot. Equipment and packages were to be stored in shipping containers, and tents would offer shelter to personnel loading and unloading bikes.

However, after contracting with the service operator, it became clear operations could not be hosted in a municipal parking lot with temporary structures as was originally planned. Instead, they needed to find a secure indoor location that would accommodate safe battery charging, more secure equipment storage, and an office for delivery workers to utilize in between shifts. After several months, The City connected the service operator with a vacant storefront owned by Boston University. The bulk of the grant funding went towards covering rent and renovation costs of this space for the operator.

When moving into a new market, e-cargo bike delivery operators need, at minimum, a secure indoor space to store equipment, charge batteries, sort packages, and provide a rest area for employees. This can and should be supplemented with additional curbside loading spaces or outdoor micro logistics hubs depending on scale. Identifying where and how the e-cargo bike delivery operators will stage their key operations should be a prerequisite for developing or launching further program components.

Focusing on Small Businesses

Businesses with high delivery volumes within a dense area represent the ideal use case for an e-cargo bike delivery service. Additionally, working with businesses that have not only high, but also predictable volumes can aid in route optimization that further increases the value-add of e-cargo bikes. Without this volume and density, an e-cargo bike delivery service becomes less cost effective relative to a traditional delivery vehicle.

Because of this, small businesses and main street districts are not necessarily able to provide the operational foundation needed to make this service efficient and sustainable. Boston Delivers demonstrated that while small businesses can absolutely benefit from a subsidized e-cargo bike delivery service, these partnerships should be supplementary, not foundational, to this delivery service-based program model.

On Demand Food Delivery

On demand food deliveries generate significant congestion and traffic safety issues across the City. Food delivery platforms like Uber Eats, GrubHub, and Doordash drive this activity while representing both a lifeline and burden to local restaurants. There is great interest in offering an alternative delivery solution that alleviates congestion and decreases costs to both businesses and the end consumer.

Boston Delivers tested a partly subsidized dedicated e-bike delivery service. The service was priced hourly and ran during the peak hours of Thursday-Saturday from 5-9pm. The service utilized the “self delivery” option offered to restaurants by the most popular delivery apps. This allowed restaurants to hand off the delivery to a Boston Delivers courier as opposed to sending it into typical delivery driver network.

This model, in theory, addressed two main challenges:

The ability to fulfill orders that are placed on the apps without relying on the apps driver network and
Significantly decreasing the commission fee restaurants pay to delivery apps on every order. Additionally, pricing the delivery service hourly as opposed to per delivery allows high volume restaurants to save more money the more deliveries they fulfill.

Even so, the City encountered significant challenges when implementing this model. Different restaurants had unique limitations when it came to adopting self-delivery. If restaurants weren’t able to easily switch to self-delivery within a certain time frame and radius then they weren’t able to utilize the service. Because of this barrier, The City wasn’t able to fully implement and expand this food delivery model.

Battery Safety

Many municipalities express uncertainty regarding safely handling lithium-ion batteries. All levels of government have an opportunity to develop more robust guidelines for how private industry and individual users can safely handle lithium-ion battery powered mobility devices.

Operators like Net Zero have adopted safety practices and procedures that greatly reduce the risk of a fire or other safety hazard. These practices and procedures are formulating ongoing work on the city level to adopt lithium-ion battery policies and guidelines.

Policy and Infrastructure Considerations

Adopting up to date e-bike and e-cargo bike definitions on the state and/or local level is key to encouraging mode shift. Additionally, giving these e-cargo bikes not just access, but priority at the curb via dedicated loading zones is an important incentive.

Finally, cities seeking to introduce a large-scale deployment of e-cargo bikes on their streets must have protected bike infrastructure that can accommodate e-cargo bikes and permit e-cargo bikes best suited for the infrastructure. Hence, the importance of regulating form factors alongside bike infrastructure planning.

Without clear policy frameworks and robust infrastructure, private industry will not entertain mode shift. Boston Delivers has created an opportunity to explore and demonstrate the impacts of these key policy and infrastructure considerations.

Future Opportunities

Looking ahead, e-cargo bikes will play a key role in deliveries across Greater Boston, especially in densely populated neighborhoods. Some delivery and logistics companies are already planning to pilot and expand the operation of e-cargo bikes in and around Boston.

In order to successfully expand operations in Greater Boston, many companies expressed a need for clear state, regional and municipal regulations around use of public and private space, as well as vehicle regulations relating to size, weight, and speed. Cities and towns will play important roles in supporting the expansion of e-cargo bikes for deliveries in the region.

FedEx
Piloting e-cargo bikes to make deliveries from the Seaport neighborhood to downtown Boston.

Net Zero Logistics
(the Boston Delivers e-cargo bike provider and operator) is expanding their operations in Boston.

Amazon
Already delivers groceries via e-cargo bike in New York City and has explored bringing e-cargo bikes to Boston to deliver small and medium-sized parcels.

UPS
Has piloted e-cargo bikes in at least five cities across the United States and is exploring the opportunity to use e-cargo bikes in Massachusetts.

Food Delivery
Some food delivery companies, such as Uber Eats and DoorDash have incentives or pilot programs to help couriers transition from 4-wheeled vehicles to 2-wheeled vehicles, such as e-bikes.

CargoB
An on-demand electric cargo bike share company recently launched in Greater Boston that anyone can utilize for personal or commercial use.

Opportunities to Support E-Cargo Bike Deliveries Locally

Municipalities can play a big role in encouraging, and in some cases, mandating e-cargo bike usage in urban deliveries.

According to Massachusetts General Law, “Electric bicycle," is defined as a bicycle or tricycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of 750 watts or less that meets the requirements of a class 1 electric bicycle or a class 2 electric bicycle. These classes do not explicitly mention e-cargo bikes, but advocates are working to further define electric cargo bikes at the state level.

Strategies that Prioritize Local Sustainable Deliveries

Establishing dedicated municipal offices with staff focused on sustainable logistics allows cities to integrate local sustainability goals with delivery plans effectively. By developing dedicated offices and integrated plans, municipalities can enhance the efficiency and sustainability of local deliveries, contributing to broader urban sustainability goals. Additionally, setting citywide sustainability goals that prioritize low- or no-emission transportation and delivery methods can support local businesses and private companies to adopt e-cargo bikes, as well as push for regional standards for sustainable deliveries. Regional coordination amongst municipalities around new policies and practices, including setting standard freight policies to allow for economies of scale can make it more worthwhile for private companies to invest in smaller-scale, sustainable delivery models.

Certain policy changes can serve as low-hanging fruit for municipalities to make sustainable changes, as they often take less staff time and less funding than other strategies and programmatic approaches. Policies can set standards that can be applied to specific geographies, specific industries, and more. Creating effective policies that either mandate or encourage e-cargo bike deliveries can produce significant benefits for municipalities without significant financial investment.

Municipalities can support program operations by offering targeted subsidies to incentivize businesses and delivery associates to adopt this eco-friendly transportation option. Subsidies could help to offset delivery fees or help a business transition to a new delivery platform.

The Boston Delivers Program provided two kinds of subsidies through a grant from MassCEC. The first was an operational subsidy for the delivery service provider, Net Zero Logistics. This helped attract the company to a new market and cushioned some of their start-up costs. The second kind of subsidy was used to cover the cost of deliveries for women and minority-owned businesses and nonprofits, of which $115,000 was allocated for this purpose.

Although Massachusetts has defined electric bikes as class 1 and class 2, they have not explicitly defined e-cargo bikes. The City of Boston is currently working on a specific definition of e-cargo bikes that will allow them to operate safely and efficiently within the city.

Municipal Office or Staff Dedicated to Sustainable Deliveries

Create a new municipal department, hire new staff, or develop an intentional partnership between municipal economic development and transportation departments to focus on expanding sustainable deliveries.

Example: New York City, NY
Recognizing an increased need in the city, the New York City Council introduced a bill in 2022 to create an office of sustainable delivery systems and requiring large generator of truck traffic buildings to produce and implement a delivery and servicing plan. In January 2024, the new department was officially announced.

Sustainable Goals Integration

Include electric cargo bike initiatives in broader municipal sustainability, equity, and transportation plans and/or goals

Example: Calgary, AB
Cities like Calgary in Alberta, Canada have developed comprehensive municipal development plans that include sustainability principles, guiding long-term growth and land use in alignment with environmental objectives. Calgary was also the first Canadian city to join Toronto in supporting FedEx’s e-cargo bike delivery service.

Defining E-Cargo Bikes Locally

A clear definition of e-cargo bikes that allows for all types of e-cargo bikes creates more options for deliveries. In the definition, clearly define the size, weight, speed, power, width, and number of wheels of an e-cargo bikes so that they are differentiated from motor vehicles (as this requires licensing and registration).

New York, NY
In New York, state-level policy restricts e-cargo bikes to under 36” and a maximum of three wheels. This can be challenging for vendors who may need larger e-cargo bikes for their deliveries. One potential solution could be for New York City to create a municipal definition of e-cargo bikes that allows for larger vehicles, such as bikes up to 48” wide, four-wheels, and heavier than the state definition.

E-Cargo Bike Delivery Cost Subsidy for Businesses

Create subsidy programs that reduce the costs for businesses to conduct deliveries, or partner with a company to conduct deliveries via electric cargo bikes.

Boston, MA
In 2022, the City of Boston received a grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) to pilot an electric cargo bike delivery program for businesses. The program was launched in September 2023 and provided funding to subsidize deliveries for local businesses, creating an incentive for those businesses to use a more environmentally-friendly delivery option for their customers.

Data Collection and Reporting

Implement systems for tracking the impact of different vehicle types on traffic, emissions, and local economies.

San Francisco, CA
A one-year e-bike pilot program was conducted in San Francisco to study the use of e-bikes for last-mile food deliveries. The city partnered with the company Driver’s Seat to develop, distribute, and collect quantitative data through the Driver’s Seat application including number of deliveries and earnings. In addition, the city collected qualitative data through surveys, informational interviews, and listening sessions.

Strategies that Increase Access to Vehicles

Municipalities can play an important role in increasing access to e-cargo bikes for local deliveries by implementing targeted incentives for the purchase or use of these vehicles. Offering subsidies, grants, or low-interest financing programs can make electric cargo bikes more affordable for small businesses and delivery associates. Additionally, creating shared e-cargo bike programs, similar to bike-sharing systems, can provide businesses with flexible, low-cost access without requiring ownership or being responsible for maintenance. Partnering with local businesses and logistics providers to determine how best to increase access to e-cargo bikes can also ensure the specific solution is useful, ultimately fostering a shift toward cleaner, more efficient local deliveries.

The City of Boston began the Boston E-bikes Incentive Program using ARPA funds to address historic inequities in transportation access, accelerate mode shift to sustainable modes of transportation, and improve mobility options for residents. The first round of the program was designed to fund e-bikes (and e-cargo bikes) for personal use, but eligible recipients could use the vehicles in any way they chose. People eligible to participate in the program included Boston residents, adults aged 60 or above, adults with a chronic or permanent disability, and/or adults with an income at or below 40% of the area-median income level.

Equipment Subsidies for Local Businesses

Create incentive programs for local businesses to purchase electric cargo bikes for deliveries.

Example: Denver, CO
As part of a larger initiative to reduce harmful emissions and shift away from fossil fuels, the Denver Mobility Incentive Program allows organizations within the City and County of Denver to purchase e-cargo bikes for deliveries. The program gives priority to projects that will replace an existing gas-fueled vehicle with an e-cargo bike and requires the organization to have secure bike storage and to provide three years of reporting.

Equipment Subsidies or Purchases for Local Delivery Employees

Purchase e-cargo bikes for local delivery associates, especially low-income workers, to use to deliver food and goods.

Example: San Francisco, CA
The City of San Francisco is piloting a program to give no-cost e-bikes for eligible delivery workers. The city will collect data and assess how the e-bike deliveries are safer, faster, and can help delivery associates earn more money. Participants who successfully complete the study period are able to keep their e-bike.

Strategies that Increase Operational Efficiency and Access to Public Space

Municipalities can introduce policies that prioritize e-cargo bikes and increase access to public spaces, like creating low-emission zones and allowing ‘microhubs’ through zoning. Municipalities can support e-cargo bike deliveries by streamlining the permitting process for microhubs—small urban logistics centers where goods are transferred to e-cargo bikes for last-mile delivery. By designating and permitting strategic locations for these hubs, municipalities can reduce congestion and emissions in busy urban areas and increase efficiency for deliveries. These hubs can improve the efficiency of e-cargo deliveries by allowing for quicker and more flexible operations, fostering a more sustainable urban logistics system.

Infrastructure changes are crucial to support e-cargo bike usage and safety. Infrastructure changes could include expanding and improving bike lanes, creating designated loading and unloading zones for cargo bikes, and increasing secure parking facilities. Developing bike-friendly routes that connect key commercial areas, as well as implementing traffic-calming measures in urban centers, can further facilitate safe deliveries. Installing charging stations for electric cargo bikes and ensuring access to low-traffic or car-free zones can make e-cargo bikes a more efficient and attractive option for urban logistics.

During the Boston Delivers program, the City of Boston deployed a new arrangement of a loading zone and bike corral that was informally referred to as a small vehicle loading zone. The corral was signed as a no parking zone and the adjacent loading zone was "authorized vehicles only." Boston used this approach because no policy framework existed in their Parking Rules and Regulations to enforce a "small vehicle loading zone."

In 2019, Boston passed an ordinance amending the City of Boston code that defined a “small vehicle.” The City’s definition of a ‘small vehicle’ states, “Any wheeled device used for transporting persons or goods, whether or not powered in any part by a motor, and including any electric vehicle, any vehicle powered by autonomous technology, or such other similar vehicles as may be defined by regulation. A small vehicle does not include a vehicle that must by law be registered with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Nor does it include Electrical Personal Assistive Mobility Devices as defined by Sec. 16-12.38A et seq.”

Low- or No-Emissions Zones

Designated areas with significant delivery or loading zones as no- or low-emissions zones to encourage and/or mandate the use of zero-emissions vehicles, such as e-cargo bikes, for deliveries.

Example: Portland, OR
In 2023, Portland received a $2 million federal grant to pilot the country’s first regulated zero-emission delivery zone in downtown Portland and use data and technology to better understand the curb. During the six-month pilot, the project area will prioritize access for zero-emission vehicles only.

Delivery Time Regulations

Implement regulations that prioritize or incentivize deliveries by truck during off-peak travel times, and prioritize deliveries be small vehicles during the day.

Example: New York, NY
Close to 90% of goods are delivered by truck in NYC, and many of them have scheduled deliveries for the most congested parts of the day. NYC DOT’s Off-Hour Deliveries (OHD) program encourages goods to be delivered during the off-peak hours of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. to decrease congestion and truck emissions.

Authorized Space for MicroHub Delivery Centers

Adjust zoning laws or otherwise locally authorize the use of space for microhubs to that support e-cargo bike logistics; Identify and designate specific locations for microhubs in urban areas to optimize delivery routes and reduce congestion.

Example: New York, NY
The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) authorized both on-street and off-street “microhub zones” for trucks to unload parcels, and e-cargo bikes to pick them up for final mile deliveries. The off-street microhub zones will be located on city-owned properties and will be managed through a license agreement between the City and a private company.

Operational Guidelines for Microhubs

Develop clear operational guidelines for microhubs that outline safety, accessibility, and environmental considerations.

Example: New York, NY
NYC passed a bill in 2021 to support micro-distribution centers (microhubs) for distributing goods via sustainable modes. Through their pilot program, NYC developed placement criteria for microhubs that included high-density mixed land use, close proximity to truck route, transit, and bike lane networks, serving priority investment areas per their streets plan, and delivery demand/desired neighborhoods as provided by private partners.

Dedicated Parking Spaces and Curb Signage

Create designated parking areas and signage for electric cargo bikes near commercial zones and delivery locations.

Example: New York City, NY
The NYC Department of Transportation developed new curb regulations allowing dedicated space at the curb for cargo bikes to load and unload goods, now known as a “Commercial Bicycle Loading Only” zone. To address pedestrian and ADA access concerns, E-cargo bikes cannot be parked on sidewalks.

Wide On-Street Bike Infrastructure Along Key Routes

Invest in on-street infrastructure that is wide enough to accommodate electric cargo bikes and the goods they carry, especially along routes that connect destinations such as commercial areas, delivery zones, and dense residential areas.

Example: New York City, NY
In New York City’s Electric Micromobility Action Plan, the city recognized that new mobility devices have different sizes, weights, speeds, and accelerations, leading to a need to rethink the current design of bike lanes. NYC DOT is currently working to update and pilot different designs including wider or multiple lanes, passing zones, bicycle speed signal timing progressions, bike boulevards, improved curbside policies to reduce double parking, and more.

Additional Policies to Consider

Strategies that Support Public Outreach and Education

Municipalities can support e-cargo bike deliveries by conducting outreach and education programs aimed at raising awareness of sustainable delivery options and their benefits. This could involve promoting e-cargo bikes as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for urban deliveries through public campaigns and workshops. Municipalities can engage local businesses, logistics companies, and residents by offering training on how to safely operate and integrate e-cargo bikes into daily operations. Additionally, partnering with local organizations to provide demonstrations, pilot programs, and case studies can help showcase the advantages of e-cargo bikes and encourage widespread adoption.

The City of Boston, in partnership with their delivery partner Net Zero Logisitics, conducted multiple outreach efforts throughout the pilot program. One of these outreach events was an open house which attracted a variety of advocates, transportation planners, folks in the logistics and e-mobility industry, business owners, and general members of the public. The open house not only gave an overview of the program but also allowed attendees to interact with an e-cargo bike up close and tangibly explore their different capabilities. Delivery Associates responsible for making deliveries on these bikes were also available to answer questions on how they maneuver and load the bikes. These hands-on demonstrations are very effective at showcasing how an e-cargo bike can compare to a typical ICE delivery vehicle.

Demonstration Days

Plan demonstration days for groups of local businesses or business associations to learn about electric cargo bikes, how they could be used, and hear from other local businesses about their operations.

Example: London, GB
The City of London, in partnership with the Zero Emissions Network (ZEN), offers free one-week cargo bike trials, providing local businesses with the opportunity to test cargo bikes for their delivery and logistics needs.

Training Programs

Offer training programs for businesses on how to effectively use electric cargo bikes for deliveries, prioritizing those businesses that are minority, women, or veteran-owned.

Example: San Francisco, CA
A one-year pilot program was conducted in San Francisco to study the effectiveness of e-bikes for last-mile food deliveries. The city partnered with the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition to provide mandatory safety trainings, bike safety, case management, and ongoing safety support for participants.

Partnership Programs

Collaborate with local businesses to co-fund delivery systems that rely on electric cargo bikes, encouraging shared resources and costs; or contract with a local company that leases electric cargo bikes.

Example: San Francisco, CA
Through San Francisco’s one-year pilot program, the city partnered with numerous groups and companies to operate and evaluate the program. The city partnered with local bike shops to provide bike maintenance services, the local bike coalition to provide trainings, and a company called Grid Alternatives to help implement the program, including recruiting participants and ensuring they have support while participating in the program.

Additional Policies to Consider

Funding Sources for E-cargo Bikes and Infrastructure

Funding sources to support e-cargo bike deliveries can come from a variety of public and private sources. Municipalities can access government grants aimed at promoting sustainable urban transport, such as national or regional clean energy or transportation funds. Additionally, partnerships with private companies, including logistics firms or bike manufacturers, can offer co-funding opportunities or sponsorships. Municipalities can further explore public-private partnerships to generate financial support for expanding e-cargo bike delivery programs.

Municipal Funds

Municipalities can designate funds through their legislative bodies, a participatory budgeting process, or their annual budget process to support various aspects of e-cargo bike delivery programs.

Example: Cambridge, MA
The City of Cambridge designated a portion of their American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to help local residents and businesses purchase various types of bikes, including e-cargo bikes for personal and commercial use.

State Funds and Programs

States can develop grant and incentive programs for municipalities, businesses, and individuals to increase access to e-cargo bike usage or pilot programs to test e-cargo bike deliveries.

Example: Colorado
The Colorado Energy Office has a program to provide funding for the development and implementation of e-bike deployment projects in communities across the state, including for deliveries.

Example: Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)’s Accelerating Clean Transportation for All (ACT4All) Program piloted equity-focused transportation programs that increase clean transportation access and decrease existing transportation burdens for underserved and overburdened communities across the Commonwealth. The Act4All program funded Boston Delivers.

Federal Funds

Various federal programs exist through energy and transportation departments to help begin programs that transition deliveries from gas vehicles to electric cargo bikes, and other micro-light vehicles.

Example: San Francisco, CA
The San Francisco Environment Department is piloting a program to transition delivery drivers to e-cargo bikes. Funding for phase 2 comes from the United States Department of Energy.

Example: Pittsburgh, PA
Through a grant from the federal Joint Office of Energy and Transportation’s Communities Taking Charge Accelerator program, Pittsburgh’s existing bikeshare system, POGOH, will introduce e-cargo bikes to lower barriers to participating in the delivery gig economy.

Private Funding

Private foundations and non-profits can provide funding (or help secure funding) for specific, community-based initiatives that help advance e-cargo bike access and increase usage of e-cargo bikes for deliveries.

Example: San Gabriel Valley, CA
Active San Gabriel Valley (ActiveSGV) is a non-profit dedicated to supporting a more sustainable, equitable, and livable San Gabriel Valley. They’ve secured over $50 million in grant funding for community-identified projects, including e-bike incentives and incorporating e-cargo bikes into their bikesharing program.

Resources

E-Cargo Bikes: Small-Scale Deliveries for Big Impact (webinar)
May 15, 2025

An e-cargo bike is parked on a sidewalk with numerous people standing around it looking at it. There are people walking on the sidewalk, buildings, street signage, and in the background is an orange sunset.

Photo Credit: Net Zero Logistics.