How e-cargo bikes could influence DPD's urban delivery approach

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Earlier this month, parcel delivery company DPD announced it had taken delivery of the first ten EAV P1 electric-assist cargo bikes, the result of a partnership with Oxford-based manufacturer EAV.

Five of the unique bio-mechanical hybrid electric-assisted pedal bikes are currently being tested on the streets of London, York and Newbury, while the other five are being shipped to DPD business units in Ireland, Spain, Germany, Portugal and France to help support British manufacturing and exporting abroad.

“We wanted to deploy an electrically-assisted cargo bike,” DPD’s general manager – CSR, Rob Fowler said. “I think we’ve looked at the range of models available, not just in the UK but across Europe, and we couldn’t find something that we considered safe enough for both the driver, from a stability point of view, and secure enough for our parcels.

“We wanted to ensure that the driver was protected against inclement weather as well. If you have to ride in one of these for a long time in winter, you want to make sure that the driver has a degree of comfort.

“It’s also things like brake lights, indicators and LED lights that make sure the drivers’ experiences are safe. If you look at the long cargo bikes available in the market now, I’m not convinced that they’re a very safe way of working. I also have doubts about the stability of three-wheel bikes, when you’ve got 150kg in the back.”