DHL has been an early adopter of using bikes as an alternativedelivery option in crowded city centers. First introduced in 2015in the Netherlands, the Cubicycle now is being used in Germany,Belgium, Hong Kong and Singapore. DHL has about 85 cargo bikes inits ground fleet globally, including Cubicycles and a smallerParcycle, a two-wheel bike with cargo box. This pilot program willbe the first use of the Cubicycle in the U.S.
The Cubicycle has several features that make it attractive fordelivery operations in heavy traffic areas: a reclining seat thatprovides greater comfort, safety and speed for the courier;electric pedal assistance for additional speed and support inclimbing hills and making it easier to handle within a tightturning radius. The removable containers are secure, waterproof andoffer a large capacity for packages but are low enough to theground so as to not impair the view of other cyclists on the road.They can be equipped with GPS transmitters to facilitate real-timeshipment tracking and monitoring for security purposes. The bikesare also self-powered through the use of solar panels.
By replacing a conventional delivery vehicle, each deployedCubicycle is expected to reduce carbon emissions by up to eightmetric tons per year. The bikes reduce the use of energy by up to90 percent compared to electric vans and even more when compared tovehicles with internal combustion engines.
In the U.S DHL maintains a robust alternative fuel vehicle(AFV) fleet, which includes fully electric, hybrid-electric,compressed natural gas (CNG) and clean diesel. In 2011, the companyput in place an all-green fleet in Manhattan fully comprised ofelectric and hybrid vans. Earlier this year, it announced that itwas adding 63 NGEN-1000 electric delivery cargo vans that would berolled out in the San Francisco Bay area and Long Island City,N.Y.
