Cargobike of the Year Award at the IAA TRANSPORTATION

Cargo bikes in commercial use are booming and experiencing a massive innovation boost with significant development leaps in technology and scaling. This is reflected in the 2019 inaugural Award for the "International Cargobike of the Year" (CABOTY), which this time connects to the world's most important stage for commercial vehicles, the IAA TRANSPORTATION in Hannover (September 20 to 25). The initiators from the trade magazine LOGISTRA of the HUSS-VERLAG want to emphasize that this once niche topic has arrived in the mainstream of logistics. "Cargo bikes, especially in logistics, could be a game changer and key element. Cleverly combined, they are the ultimate means of transport to achieve the impossible: connecting a higher volume of shipments with fewer emissions and significantly advancing climate protection in logistics," explains LOGISTRA Test+Technology department head and CABOTY initiator Johannes Reichel.

Since the successful event last year on the campus of the University of Applied Sciences in Frankfurt during the 2nd National Cargo Bike Logistics Conference of the RLVD association, there have been numerous new providers and startups with innovative cargo bike concepts; established providers are rapidly evolving their models. This year the award will again take place in the context of and in cooperation with the industry association. The 3rd National Cargo Bike Logistics Conference is also seeking proximity to the IAA and will take place from September 20 to 21 in Hannover.

Strong revenue growth in the industry

"The strong revenue growth is also particularly due to the entry of new players. This shows that solid expectations for further growth are being placed in the industry," said Martin Schmidt, chairman of the RLVD. In 2021, 1.6 million kilometers were covered by cargo bike logisticians and independent entrepreneurs. The use of cargo bikes for logistics saved 422 tons of carbon dioxide or 105 3.5-ton trucks in 2021. Overall, 4.7 million shipments were delivered by cargo bike logistics, 0.1 million more than the previous year. It is clear that there is still significant potential to substitute delivery vehicles with emission-free, space-saving, and safe cargo bikes, Schmidt continued. Especially since the figures include the performance of CEP system service providers, who are also increasingly relying on cargo bikes.

Technology ready for mass production

"The technology is on the verge of mass production and is leaving teething problems behind," says CABOTY initiator Reichel. He sees great progress especially in the areas of tires/rims/brakes, electric drives, such as chain-free concepts, but also in the digitization of the bikes with "Keyless Go" technology and telematics integration. There is also much progress in handling and comfort for the riders. Not least, the topic of constructions and standardization is advancing. Nevertheless, the key to the successful use of cargo bikes in logistics still lies in the smart combination with ideal E-Trucks/E-Vans in the pre-run and decentralized micro depots as transshipment points for fine distribution. All these topics are also present at the IAA TRANSPORTATION, where the organizer VDA has planned a "Last Mile Experience Area" focusing on city logistics. "This is of course an ideal setting for our award and the whole topic," says the cargo bike and transporter specialist.

Three categories to choose from

The Cargobike Award will again be presented in three categories: Light, Heavy, and Trailer. This is to account for the different requirement profiles. The candidate list for the award is now open, and interested parties can apply for the award using a form. On-site, the jury, which besides initiator Johannes Reichel again includes practitioners such as cargo bike logistician and RLVD board member Thomas Schmitz from the company Radlader from Mainz as well as RLVD board member Martin Schmidt from the company Cycle Logistics from Berlin, will test the candidate bikes and evaluate their practicality according to a criteria catalog. The award ceremony is planned for the evening of September 22 immediately following the event.