April 15, 2022 - In April 2021, two entrepreneurs, Ivan Waissbluth and Nick Gaganiaras, launched NRBI (Near By), a new zero- carbon e-cargo bike delivery service in Toronto. Their passion to provide state-of-the-art logistic solutions for local businesses saw immediate success.

Waissbluth, a cargo bike rider himself, owns Bespoke Butchers, an organic butcher shop, and Gaganiaras had a successful career in logistics and supply chains. When the two became friends, the wheels began to turn.

In fall 2021, Dave Edwards, a passionate rider and former banker, joined NRBI as a part-time delivery driver. Knowing Toronto’s cycling scene via his role with social media sites such as @BikeTO, @CargoBikeTO and others, he became a partner.

“Reactions on the street are very positive — people are mostly blown away when they see you riding a cool e-cargo bike,” said Edwards. “They love receiving their goods by bike and they’re impressed.”

While companies also like the carbon-free aspect, they need and want to see fast, safe and efficient deliveries, that save money and make customers happy, noted Edwards.

NRBI currently has four e-cargo bikes on the road, each with massive capacity. Two units are eye-catching aquamarine-coloured Pro Trike Centaurs made by Babboe, based in Holland, with 850 litres of cargo space (up to 450lbs). “They were secured via Fourth Floor Distribution which is a sister company of Curbside Cycle, a local bike shop in Toronto,” commented Edwards.

Their other two e-cargo bikes are black Triobike Cargo Big units out of Denmark, which were acquired through Allo Vélo, the Canadian distributor based in Montréal, which also operates as a retail bike shop and has a second outlet in Vancouver.

NRBI has been making steady progress and plans to set up another hub in the west end of the city. Their biggest challenge has been juggling the operation and maintaining flexibility while trying to expand with such a small crew of five and a fleet of four e-cargo bikes as demand keeps growing.

And while there are new bikes lanes and other improvements in Toronto, Edwards welcomes the changes but adds that there’s so much more to do in the city from snow clearance, to fixing bike paths that end abruptly, to route shortcomings around construction zones, etc.

What lies ahead for NRBI are multiple hubs around Toronto, 20-30 e-cargo bikes, and perhaps even other cities in Canada. “We want to get good at what we do here first, but for sure other provinces offer great potential, and there’s nothing wrong with looking south of the border as well,” he concluded.