Loads on wheels
Goods on Bikes! The VCD project to encourage cargo cycling
Text Arne Behrensen, Goods on Bikes! Project Manager, Verkehrsclub Deutschland e.V. (VCD), the federal association
»Cargo bikes have what it takes to become one of the biggest trends of 2014«, stated the Berliner Zeitung und Frankfurter Rundschau in January. And in November 2013 the FAZ ran a whole page entitled »Load bikes – the new craze for carrying everyday cargo«. But it’s not just media hype. The VCD project to encourage the This initiative sees the VCD following up their Buy a better e-bike! project of 2011/12 and pursuing their plan to offer targeted and timely support for what is a significant trend in the cycle sector.
use of cargo bikes for business transport is opening many doors for them in industry and municipal circles. A major pilot project for delivery transport in a major German city is at the planning stage, and the VCD will also be exhibiting e-cargo bikes at the IAA utility vehicles event at the end of September.
the theme of cargo bikes for business transport. ExtraEnergy chairman Hannes Neupert has also been on hand to offer high-caliber expert advice to the project.
A central element of the public relations and Since Spring 2013 the VCD project Goods on lobbying work is the newsletter, published Bikes! has been networking between manufac- every two to three months with current news turers, users and other interested parties on and a calendar of events. In addition there are 16 ExtraEnergy.org
regional roundtable events, to give the subject a real push in particular cities, and themed roundtables, which focus on clarifying important technical questions. The first themed roundtable was dedicated to the subject of legal questions (traffic law, health & safety, product safety), and at the next the subject was the framework requirements for fleet acquisitions by companies and public bodies.