Conference summary
Despite an economic and climatic context that calls for a reduction in the number of private cars on our roads, and despite government policies in favor of sustainable mobility, the number of vehicles on the road in Quebec has continued to grow over the past 25 years. This development has consequences for health, the environment and the economy: vehicle size is constantly increasing, GHG emissions linked to transport have risen by 60% since 1990, and the growing use of the automobile encourages urban sprawl, which in turn promotes road congestion.
Whether for transporting people or delivering goods, there are alternatives and solutions that go far beyond simple electrification. Among them, the cargo bike - an elongated bicycle and box bike - is undoubtedly the most effective tool for reducing the nuisances associated with combustion-powered vehicles, whether in terms of GHG emissions, air and noise pollution, accidents, congestion or the costs associated with transport and delivery.
Drawing on her personal and professional experience, Marie-Astrid Leray sheds light on the meteoric growth of cargo bikes in France for personal and business mobility. The phenomenon is such that a professional federation of over 300 companies has been created nationwide for 2019. Faster, quieter, more economical and more respectful of the environment, cargo bikes are emerging as the most effective solution to the many challenges posed by the growth of our cities and the delivery needs of their inhabitants.
The versatility of this type of bike, combined with technological advances in electric-assist bicycles, makes it particularly well-suited to delivery and professional mobility, as well as being an agile and relevant tool for everyday domestic tasks. Its rapid development is such that a number of challenges are looming on the horizon: cohabitation on increasingly busy and undersized bike paths, increasing size of bikes and trailers, inadequate and unsuitable parking spaces, etc.
The fact remains that cargo bikes are positioning themselves as a tool for emancipation, and have been a minor revolution in the cycling world in recent years. Their potential to transform our mobility habits seems limitless. What if the cargo bike were the vehicle of the future for our living environments?
