The possibilities for using cargo bikes in cities have already been tested extensively. Which areas could benefit from the use of cargo bikes as a sensible addition to the current transport logistics in medium-sized towns such as Greifswald? This question is being addressed by CoBiUM. Three further towns in the south of the Baltic Sea Region are also taking part, Växjö in Sweden, as well as Gdynia and Słupsk in Poland.
‘The project should help us find out whether it is possible in Greifswald - as a town of short distances - to substitute motorised commercial or private journeys. A cargo bike is being tested for this purpose by the Town Council. If the bike stands the test, the use of cargo bikes could become a component of our vehicle fleet management concept, which is currently being developed,’ says the construction senator of the University and Hanseatic Town of Greifswald, Jeannette von Busse.
The first two test bikes in Greifswald are to be used by the Town Council and the University Computer Centre. Next year, further cargo bikes will be used in other areas.
CoBiUM aims to reduce the number of vehicles powered by fossil fuels in the participating towns, by promoting the use of cargo bikes as a transport alternative. The willingness of people to use traditional bicycles is at its highest for distances of up to five kilometres. This distance extends to 15 to 20 kilometres for hybrid electric bicycles, i.e. pedelecs. ‘We presume that these numbers do not differ for cargo bikes; the problem is more that cargo bikes are not yet well known and are not considered for normal use,’ says Project Manager and retired professor, Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Steingrube. CoBiUM will use pilot applications, communication and campaigns to improve the knowledge with regard to cargo bikes and promote their use.
The project shall help the participating towns integrate cargo bikes in their urban mobility concepts. The project will focus on three areas: private users, municipal services and business logistics. The paramount goal is to make a contribution that might help reduce car traffic and parking problems in the towns, to relieve road congestion, make roads safer and to reduce air pollution and noise emissions. This then leads to an improved quality of life and reduced levels of greenhouse emissions.
CoBiUM’s project partners include not only the three towns stated above and the University of Greifswald, but also the Energy Agency for Southeast Sweden and Danish Cycling Tourism. A total of 1.5 million euros are available for the funding period, provided by the programme Interreg South Baltic.
Further Information
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Contact at the University of Greifswald
Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Steingrube (retired)
Institute of Geography and Geology
Makarenkostraße 22, 17489 Greifswald
Tel.: +49 3834 420 4540/4480
steingru(at)uni-greifswald(dot)de