Going that last mile: supporting city hub activities and bike courier deliveries

By project SPOTLOG

Published on 30 December 2024

Belgium

Prov. Antwerpen

Mechelen

About this good practice

Mechelen aims for 4 goals when it comes to handling logistics
streams: less vehicle movements, less driven kilometers,
less CO2 emissions and therefore better air quality. All pilots
keep these goals in mind. The installation of a city hub with
courier service served these goals.
In cooperation with the ECOkoeriers, Mechelen’s local bike
courier, the city set up a pilot to test the potential of a city
hub with added courier service. ECOkoeriers already operated
from a strategically located city hub in the Southern part
of Mechelen. The pilot was called Logistics unburdening of
the shop owner in the city center.
The city approaches numerous inner-city retailers with a proposition: change their delivery address to ECOkoeriers' city hub, have their goods delivered there, and then have ECOkoeriers drop off all the parcels in one trip.
This saves time (only one delivery at an agreed time instead of different deliveries at unexpected times) and comes at no additional cost.

To make the effect of this trial more tangible, we had REBEL ( a consulting agency on sustainability and transportation) develop a city logistics calculator. It showed, case per case, what (hidden) logistic costs were actually present and how making use of city hub would changes these costs.

Expert opinion

Cargo bikes provide a solution for low-carbon urban logistics, particularly by replacing delivery vans to reduce carbon emissions, congestion and noise pollution. This pilot is highly replicable in other cities looking to tackle these issues, with the trial of a consolidation centre and last mile bike delivery service. Such pilots can help to stimulate market development for the last mile services, demonstrating their convenience and quality. The practice can contribute to reducing carbon emissions in transport as well as improving urban sustainability and liveability, in line with EU goals and the Urban Mobility Framework.

Simon Hunkin

Works at Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform

Resources needed

The city paid for the consolidation in the city hub and the last mile transport with the bike courier. There was a foreseen budget of 20 K€. The bike courier is also the operator of the city hub and they also invested in the project. The amount is not known.

Evidence of success

- 5 interested retailers.

- Results for 1 shop for +/- 6 months:
• Cost: +/- 600 €
• Delivery in store: same day or day +1
• Average 3 to 4 deliveries in city hub was
delivered in 1 consolidated delivery with
the cargobike
• 48 rides x 6 km = 288 zero-emission driven
kilomters
• 224 avoided vehicle movements of a van in
the inner city.

Potential for learning or transfer

Installing a city hub with a bike courier activity teaches the importance of sustainable urban mobility and reducing traffic congestion. It also highlights the benefits of efficient logistical planning and community engagement. The best way to set up such activities is through public-private cooperation. It is not the task of a city to operate a city hub. It is up to the commercial market to take initiative. Cities can accellerate this through temporary funding in the start-up phase.
Following advices are important:
Advice 1.
Be prepared that, unless a retailer is obliged to have deliveries
go through a city hub, there is little interest in changing
logistical habits.
Advice 2.
Emphasize the ‘what’s in it for me’ to retailers. They are by
nature reluctant. Therefore, make the process to temporarily
change the delivery process with as little hurdles as possible.
Advice 3.
Regularly check for frustrations or other stumble blocks that
could hinder a smooth continuation.