Development of a General Specification Sheet for Heavy-Duty Cargo Bikes

On the market, there is a lack of suitable cargo bike models for heavy-duty applications. This makes the mass distribution of delivery and goods transport via cargo bike extremely difficult. Particularly, this concerns the implementation of micro-hub concepts and other professional cargo-bike applications, such as same-day shipping for retailers or as a transport vehicle in the craft business. Thus, a research project was carried out to develop a standard for a heavy-duty cargo bike in the class of a Light Electric Vehicle (LEV) for professional applications, that is able to withstand daily stress and to transport sufficient weight and volume. The assumption was that a cargo bike that can withstand the demanding everyday use through Courier Express Parcel services could withstand the demands of most industries. The result is a detailed, practice-based specification for a heavy-duty cargo bike for professional use, taking into consideration the following areas: usability, safety, and economic as well as efficient use. It can serve as a base for bike manufacturers to develop suitable heavy-duty cargo bikes.