DHL is testing the use of bicycle couriers in major German cities and home deliveries ofLufthansa’s set menus through its online supermarket Allyouneed.com in two separate projects.
After successful pilot projects in various European countries, DHL Express is testing for thefirst time the use of bicycles for express delivery of documents and smaller parcel items inGermany as an eco-friendly and efficient transport alternative to delivery vehicles. The pilotprojects have already started in Berlin and Frankfurt, with tests of two different models beingconducted in the two cities until the end of September respectively.
The first test model is the so-called “DHL Parcycle” with a sealable transport box and a holdingcapacity of 140 litres. The second model is the “DHL Touring Bike” which is more manoeuvrable anddestined mainly for use with a courier backpack. The DHL bike couriers are recognisable throughtheir yellow and red DHL all-weather outfits. The tests will soon be expanded to two other majorcities in northern and southern Germany.
“Using bicycles for deliveries has made us significantly more flexible and faster in downtownareas and conurbations,” said Tobias Wider, member of the DHL Express Germany divisional board. “Unlike delivery vehicle drivers, bicycle couriers can always drive right up to the recipient’sdoor, are not affected by downtown traffic volumes or access restrictions and can even use shorterroutes, at times.”
In addition, DHL Express is responding to the request of many customers for a “cleaner transportalternative”. “Our aim is to deploy bicycle couriers in the next few years everywhere where theycan improve our customer service and effectiveness,” Wider added.
DHL Express has been deploying bicycle couriers in nine European countries so far including theNetherlands, France, Great Britain and Italy, with 40 cities in total.
In a separate project called “Air Food One”, Deutsche Post is expanding its food deliverybusiness, as part of which its Berlin-based online grocery store Allyouneed.com has partnered withthe Lufthansa subsidiary LSG for home deliveries of ready-made meals.
Starting this week, Allyouneed.com will be testing over the next two months deliveries of menuswhich Lufthansa also serves to their passengers on longer flights. The trial run is initiallylimited to the cities of Cologne and Düsseldorf.
Customers can order the meal of their choice on Allyouneed.com up to Sunday evenings fordelivery the following Wednesday. They can choose between the two evening time-slots for delivery,6-8 pm or 8-10 pm. The menus are cooked in the canteen kitchen of LSG and are delivered by DHLcouriers in cool boxes which can be kept cool for 24 hours.
Under the slogan “Dine like a president”, Air Food One offers a classical menu for €9.99 and avegetarian one for €8.99, including delivery costs.
“We are continuing to try out new services,” an Allyouneed.com spokesman said. “Then we will seeif customers like it.” If successful, the service is likely to be expanded to other cities.
