Montpellier Métropole decided to put the emphasis on cargo bikes and other three-wheeled vehicles in its urban centers. The goal is to shift as much of the goods transport previously carried out by combustion-powered vehicles to this sustainable, environmentally-friendly, and carbon-free transport mode.
On September 19, as part of European Mobility Week, Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole organized a morning event for all those involved in urban cycle logistics in the area. Also present were representatives and leading specialists in this booming sector: Cerema, Vélo Vallée regional cluster, Les Boîtes à Vélo France, Professional Cycle Logistics Federation, and Groupe La Poste, all of which are strongly committed to this approach.
When it comes to transporting goods through city centers, conventional internal-combustion vehicles are responsible for 50% of traffic congestion and 30% to 80% of parking problems, depending on the city. “In terms of pollution, they generate a third of nitrogen oxide emissions, 50% of fine particulate matter, and 20% of greenhouse gases, not to mention the associated noise pollution, which they increase by five decibels,” explained Hélène de Solère, Logistics Project Manager at Cerema.
Cycle-logistics is an important means of considerably reducing pollution and noise pollution in cities. Transporting goods in urban environments by cargo bike can be more efficient and allow faster delivery, thanks to the flexibility of the vehicle, as demonstrated not only by CEREMA but also by the InViCy project.. Some 50% of all goods transported by motorized vehicles could potentially be carried by bicycle. However, only 3% of goods in France are transported by cargo bike or three-wheeler.
There is real room to make progress on this front. That is why Montpellier Métropole is actively committed to developing bicycle logistics. A €1,000 subsidy was introduced to help professionals purchase a new electrically-assisted cargo bike. Montpellier Métropole also supports all types of initiatives related to cycle-logistics, such as the creation of intermediary logistics platforms. At the same time, it supports companies such as Service Écusson Vert (green delivery in Montpellier’s downtown area), and works in close partnership with Groupe La Poste, which has decided to expand the use of cargo bikes in city centers.
“The Montpellier branch was one of the first in our group to equip itself with cargo bikes,” recalls Jean-Louis Carrasco, Director of Urban Logistics at La Poste Group’s Mail & Parcels department. Montpellier Métropole is one of the pioneers in this sector.
