October 6, 2026 - (Utrecht, the Netherlands) The 2026 edition of the International Cargo Bike Festival (ICBF) will bring the cargo bike world’s top trailblazers back to the world-renowned cycling city of Utrecht for the third year running. Doubling down on its focus on professional visitors, the event assembles figures from the cycling, logistics and facilities industries, government and the third sector. The two-day programme includes a cargo bike expo, expert speakers, panels, workshops, rapid-fire live pitches and dedicated industry side-events. Particular attention will be paid to hot button topics seen as key to realising the potential of the cargo bike: battery technology, regulations and standardisation.
Visitors will also be able to take advantage of first-class networking opportunities across a uniquely global gathering of participants, with representation from over 30 countries expected. Attendees can already connect with each other and arrange meetings in advance of the event using the Conversation Starter platform. Visitor entry remains free of charge, reflecting the organisers’ commitment to broad accessibility.
Cargo bike expo and test track
Taking place once again at central venue Jaarbeurs, the ICBF’s popular indoor expo and adjacent outdoor test track formula returns in 2026. Visitors can discover the newest developments and try them out straight away on the test track. This year features a refreshed roster of exhibitors, spanning established industry heavyweights through to a new crop of promising startups from the Netherlands, Austria and Australia, to name but a few. Exhibitors will be showcasing hardware, components, software, fleet solutions and everything in between.
Jam-packed programme
Alongside the expo, an impressive line-up of influential speakers will take to the ICBF stage, moderated across the two days by Nicole Lolkema of the Dutch Cycling Embassy; journalist, author and cargo bike expert Jaime Novo; and cycling academic Ruth Oldenziel.
The opening keynote on Monday 12th October, by Dr Frauke Behrendt FHEA of Eindhoven University of Technology, will focus on what European cities could learn from battery-swapping systems in African cities, drawing on developments in Kenya. Additional Monday sessions will explore municipal fleets, cargo bike parking and what cycle logistics operators can learn from each other. Monday will also feature Jos Sluijsmans, Director and co-organiser of the ICBF, officially announcing the launch of the BFLN, Branchevereniging Fietslogistiek Nederland, or Cycle Logistics Association Netherlands. Meanwhile, an industry side-event organised by LEVA-EU will explore regulatory frameworks around type approval and batteries.
Tuesday 13th October turns to international scale and operational standards. Highlights will include Ties van Dijk of Shimano Europe exploring how to advance qualifications for bike mechanics, the Townmaking Institute on eBike Battery Passports, care-based algorithms with Señoritas Courier and perspectives on cycle logistics from Mumbai with Vijay Malhotra. The day also features a session on international cooperation hosted by national cycle logistics federations of Belgium, France and Germany.
There will also be quick-fire pitch rounds highlighting new exhibitor launches across both days. All programme sessions will be filmed by Broadcast Bike, a cargo bike-mounted broadcast studio, and uploaded to the ICBF YouTube channel after the show.
Attendance and registration
Admission to ICBF 2026 is free of charge for visitors, but prior online registration is mandatory. Registration includes access to the expo floor, test track, on-stage programme and the Conversation Starter networking platform. Tickets can be booked here.
Quotes
Jos Sluijsmans, Director of the International Cargo Bike Festival on the 2026 edition:
“We are looking forward to another fantastic edition of the ICBF, with an inspiring gathering of international exhibitors and speakers joining us in Utrecht. What excites me most is seeing cargo bike adoption spread far beyond traditional postal and parcel logistics. More and more organisations are making the switch. For example, if just 20 to 30% of painting businesses in the Netherlands alone adopted cargo bikes, the impact would be massive. That positive momentum is exactly what this event is all about.”
Tom Parr, Co-organiser of the International Cargo Bike Festival, on the event’s reason for existing:
“Behind every cargo bike is a human story, from everyday families to couriers managing large fleets. The International Cargo Bike Festival is built around international knowledge exchange. By connecting professionals from across the globe, the event creates a platform to tackle and navigate topics like battery safety, regulation and Total Cost of Ownership, so attendees leave with practical insights they can adapt for their own organisations.
About the International Cargo Bike Festival
Founded in 2012, the International Cargo Bike Festival (ICBF) is the original event dedicated to promoting the cargo bike as a powerful tool for sustainable urban transport. It brings together manufacturers, experts and advocates from across the world to celebrate and drive forward the cargo bike movement. The ultimate goal? To realise the gigantic potential of the cargo bike, with all of the global positive impacts on the environment, cities, health and societal benefits that entails. Read more here.
About Dutch Cycling Week
The ICBF takes place in 2026 as part of Dutch Cycling Week – an Utrecht-based umbrella organisation under which several cycling events, including EuroVelo & Cycling Tourism Conference, Big Bike Film Night and Kampeer & Caravan Jaarbeurs all fall. Read more here.
ICBF 2026: Details
Dates: Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th October 2026
Opening times: 10:00 – 17:00
Venue: Jaarbeurs, Utrecht
Address:
Beatrixgebouw
Jaarbeursplein 6
3521 AL Utrecht
The Netherlands
Find it on: Google Maps / Apple Maps / OpenStreetMap.
Tickets: Free, registration required.
For more details on the visiting information, tickets, exhibitors and programme, visit:
Your visit here.
Exhibitors here.
Programme here.
Follow the International Cargo Bike Festival on:
LinkedIn / Instagram / Bluesky / Facebook / Threads / YouTube
