NYC’s department of transportation to hold hearing on proposed citywide use of pedal-assisted cargo bikes

In an effort to cut down on congestion and reduce pollution, New York City’s Department of Transportation wants to let delivery companies use pedal-assisted cargo bikes. An ongoing 30-day comment solicitation period for the proposed rule is slated to culminate in a public hearing next month.

“Greater use of cargo bikes will bring incredible environmental and safety benefits for New York City by reducing the number of large, high-polluting trucks on our streets,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez in a statement. “Just two cargo bikes can replace one box truck, increasing safety and reducing CO2 emission by 14 tons per year—equivalent to 30,872 passenger car miles traveled.”

Following a years-long pilot test, the proposed new rule would permit cargo bikes permanently. Since the city’s transportation department launched the Commercial Cargo Bike cargo program in 2019, carriers have made more than 130,000 trips, delivering about 5 million packages. Officials estimate the program has saved over 650,000 metric tons of C02 emissions. 

If passed, the rule would allow the use of pedal-assist bicycles up to 48 inches wide, and with up to four wheels—an expansion from the current maximum width of 36 inch requirement, with no fourth wheel. 

The proposed rule would expand low or no-emission options for freight deliveries — including packages and groceries — by allowing the use of pedal-assist bicycles that may be up to 48 inches wide and have up to four wheels. The expanded width and wheel allowance, combined with the pedal-assist feature, make cargo bikes easier to pedal while carrying heavy loads. Current rules restrict such devices to a maximum width of 36 inches with no fourth wheel. 

The bikes activate a small motor only when users are pedaling. The technology is commonly used by existing e-bicycle carriers, and on Citi Bike’s pedal-assist models.

“New York is the densest city in the nation, but roughly 90% of our freight is transported by trucks, competing for extremely limited parking space and increasing traffic congestion. This situation is only worsening as demand for home deliveries continues to skyrocket, but shifting to e-bikes for last-mile freight could alleviate many of the local environmental and safety issues of trucks and vans,” said Corey Hannigan, active transportation program manager at the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. “Electric bicycles have been widely adopted for food delivery services, and NYCDOT’s 2019 e-cargo bike pilot program proved the effectiveness and viability of cargo bikes as a general last-mile solution in the urban core.”

Hannigan noted that, despite New York City’s size and density, the city lags behind peer European cities. The current 36-inch width restriction and a lack of a protected bike lane network with wide enough lanes is a primary reason for the slow adoption, according to Hannigan.  

“Standard pallet-sized 48-inch-wide cargo bike models are commonly used by international carriers like DHL and UPS, and so increasing allowable widths could allow more manufacturers and carriers to enter the market, bringing down costs,” he continued. 

Freight trends suggest there’s unmet demand that could be filled by the new rule. Other American cities, such as Miami, have similar cargo bike programs. The New York City Department of Transportation will hold a virtual public hearing on the proposed rule Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. Anyone can provide written comments. For more information visit the department of transportation’s website.