New York is considering an update to its regulations to allow the use of four-wheel electric cargo bikes. Similar to small trucks equipped with pedals, they can be used by delivery companies.
These electric-assisted cargo bikes with four wheels are commonly used in Asia, especially for “last mile” deliveries. Larger than traditional electric cargo bikes, they are however much smaller than trucks and other delivery vans. Technically speaking, they combine a large rear cargo area with an enlarged cargo bike frame and work with e-bike pedals and electric motors.
Until now, US bicycle law required two or three wheels to be legally classified as bicycles. However, if the New York (NYC) Department of Transportation (DOT) has its way, these bikes could soon be circulating in the Big Apple.
Reducing trucks for a greener city
The goal of this proposal is to make deliveries safer and greener by reducing the number of trucks on the streets of New York. Mayor Eric Adams stressed that these cargo bikes would help improve the city’s safety and ecological transition. NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said using these cargo bikes instead of trucks would significantly reduce CO2 emissions.
Update of current regulations
To allow the use of these cargo bikes, the NYC DOT will need to update current laws. Electric cargo bikes previously allowed on New York’s roads and bike paths were limited to 36 inches in width and no more than three wheels. The proposed new rule would allow the use of electrically assisted bicycles that are up to 122cm wide and have up to four wheels. This proposal is not yet final and will be put to the vote in September 2023.
La Poste is content for the moment with electric vehicles.
In France, we remember the Bio-Hybrid project offering this type of four-wheeled electric bike. However, the project was abandoned in the summer of 2021 due to a lack of investors. Regarding the use of electric cargo ships, La Poste recently announced that it is boosting its fleet with the arrival of new three-wheeled electric cargo bikes. These electric scooters are the result of an association with the French company VUF Bikes. Finally, UPS has been testing four-wheel electric bikes for a few months now in Paris, but also in Cambridge, England.
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Electric cargo bikes: La Poste is boosting its fleet
2023-08-15 12:10:00
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