DPD Germany has started delivering parcels by bike in Hamburg as part of a new pilot projectcurrently testing three different models for practical deployment.
“The goods bicycles are never stuck in traffic jams, they fit in every alley and are completelyemission-free,” DPD branch manager Hansjürn Beckmann said. “For DPD, the bikes could be a responseto challenges in inner cities such as dust particles, access restrictions and congestion.”
The bike delivery is especially suitable for short-distance routes with many stops. This isoften the case in urban centres with deliveries to individuals who often receive only oneshipment.
DPD has established decentralised transhipment points for loading the bicycles, for example atthe premises of commercial customers where storage space is available. The bicycle couriers load upto 50 parcels there and then start their delivery round.
“If the bike models work in practice, DPD can also reduce the impact of noise and emissions onother downtown areas,” Beckmann added. Test results are expected by mid-August.
