April 3, 2021 - With commercial and consumer sales on the rise across Europe, companies in the cargo bike sector are attempting to establish European standards and regulations. 

The cargo bike has been moving into the mainstream of cycling and logistics, and businesses’ need for a consistent European approach across the sector really came together in 2020. This new approach is under the umbrella of Cycling Industries Europe’s partnership with the European Cycle Logistics Federation and their joint Expert Group supported by the project City Changer Cargo Bike (CCCB).

Following a comprehensive survey on cargo bikes in commercial use, the first of its kind at the international level, three categories of cargo bikes were proposed with two receiving wide support. 

Class A is for smaller cargo bikes used for private or light commercial work and daily activities such as child carriage. The body for EU standards, CEN, has agreed to work on a framework for these cargo bikes. 

Class C is for the biggest and heaviest light commercial cargo bikes with pedal assistance e-drives, and these bikes are really competing with vans. But the higher-powered motors may result in the same regulation as mopeds and speed pedelecs, creating challenges that need to be addressed.

The most challenging category, Class B, is in between and needs more definition to accommodate the requirements of commercial logistics and service companies for inner-city deliveries and a wide variety of loads, including the type of workforce needed.  

The quality of the evidence and the commitment of a whole sector towards common interests augurs well for the future to establish European standards and regulations. For more information, visit www.cyclingindustries.com.