German post service tests out new deliveries by 'cargo bike'

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.thelocal.de/20170302/german ... cargo-bike" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Apparently German postmen got bored of the traditional mail truck.
German delivery service DHL Express is testing out deliveries using a brand new method - cargo bicycle.

The pilot project launched on Wednesday in Frankfurt and Utrecht in The Netherlands will give postal workers a faster and more environmentally friendly way of handing out parcels and documents.

Due to the growth of online orders and increasing traffic density, DHL spokesman Tobias Wider said it is becoming more challenging for couriers to move their cargo through inner city areas.

The new ‘cubicycles’ can each carry up to 90 packages, and DHL says this could save more than 16 tonnes worth of CO2 emissions in one year.
The devices come from a Swedish manufacturer and are offered online starting at €7,800, according to the Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung.

[redneck]

This is something that Royal Mail should have introduced instead of the Pashley bikes that were dumped and sent to Africa. There is absolutely no need for park and loop double header duties in urban areas. People in this company are paid an awful lot of money to come up with ideas, and come up with....a diesel van in nearly all cases.

[datasaint]

I don't buy it. These sort of green initiatives are done on a tiny scale so as only to promote the companies "green credentials" and get a load of publicity.

The device pictured wouldn't be safe in an accident, it's impractical on hills, and leaves the operator exposed to the elements, a total no-goer.

Instead RM could easily introduce electric vans into the majority of their fleet, most park and loop pairings won't exceed 15 miles a day so makes it ideal when most EV's can cover 150 miles on a charge, they'd only have to think about fitting charging points in the yard.

If they did that they'd be saving money on fuel and winning big points on environmental credentials, something that wouldn't be just a gimmick.