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Front Page » Top Stories » Pilot program for e-cargo bicycles wheels toward Miami

Pilot program for e-cargo bicycles wheels toward Miami

Written by on April 8, 2020
  • www.miamitodayepaper.com
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Pilot program for e-cargo bicycles wheels toward Miami

 

Electric cargo bicycles have been touted as an alternative to traditional delivery that’ll mitigate traffic and curb carbon emissions. With that in mind, they could soon be rolling into some of the City of Miami’s busiest areas.

Commissioner Manolo Reyes, the current chair of the Downtown Development Agency, is sponsoring a resolution for a one-year e-cargo bicycle pilot program. The pilot program has the backing of the agency’s board of directors.

While the resolution features on today’s (4/9) agenda, Mr. Reyes said the item is to be deferred because the commission will be focusing on more pressing issues related to the city’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

DHL, the courier, parcel, and express mail service, has been testing its vehicles in Miami. Mr. Reyes’ office is reaching out to other carriers, such as Amazon and UPS, to see if they can adopt similar services in the area.

As per the legislation, the pilot program would be restricted to the Brickell and downtown areas, as well as Coral Way, from Brickell Avenue to Southwest 37th Avenue, the city limits.

As the city’s delegate for this program, the Miami Parking Authority would monitor compliance with the program. The authority already oversees compliance of the city’s electric scooter pilot program.  

The e-cargo bikes would be limited to 20 miles an hour and could be used only to deliver goods, packages, and services. E-cargo bicycles are defined as “any device generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two front or two rear wheels,” as well as two tandem wheels.

The bikes would be encouraged to park in loading zones when available, or otherwise, park in bicycle parking areas on the sidewalk. The bicycles could not be parked so as to impede pedestrian access or vehicular traffic.

Mr. Reyes stressed the vehicles would help with congestion, saying that delivery trucks can halt the flow of traffic as they stop for a drop-off. He added that the bicycles would be safer than electric scooters. He has been in steadfast opposition to the city’s electric scooter pilot.

E-cargo bicycle programs have already been rolled out in other parts of the country. UPS announced in 2018 it would roll out its fleet of e-cargo bicycles to serve downtown Seattle operating on sidewalks and in designated bike lanes. In December, New York City announced it would launch a six-month pilot program focused in parts of Manhattan. In a press release, it was noted that UPS, DHL and Amazon would be delivering via New York’s e-cargo bicycle pilot.

9 Responses to Pilot program for e-cargo bicycles wheels toward Miami

  1. Gerwyn Flax

    April 8, 2020 at 8:02 pm

    Why do we need a third world looking bicycle that is almost as large as a small delivery van for package delivery? Not a good look for Miami.

    • Jen

      April 9, 2020 at 9:01 pm

      Yes, I definitely think parcels should be delivered in “first world” only vehicles. Imagine a gold plated lambo rolling up with your giant case of t.p.!

  2. camilo

    April 9, 2020 at 12:11 pm

    Miami-Mumbai (rename the city)

  3. Anne-Marie Kleisler

    April 9, 2020 at 4:54 pm

    Why? Because it’s eco friendly!

  4. R PULIDO

    April 9, 2020 at 5:04 pm

    Look good to use for deliver.

    BUT NOT TO USE THE SIDEWALKS

    THE SIDEWALKS ARE IN MIAMI NOT WIDE NEED TO BE ONLY FOR PEOPLE OR WHEELCHARS

  5. Gonzalo Sanabria

    April 9, 2020 at 8:57 pm

    Sound idea but an eyesore looks like ancient outdated junk

  6. Miami Realist

    April 10, 2020 at 12:11 am

    What is Miami trying to be… India,or Thailand…? These politicians should find better ways on how to improve our medical system which we are way behind from China or Germany or maybe they should start developing a better clean streets system in the City of Miami. And I agree with you Gerwyn, these bikes will make Miami look like a developing third world country.

  7. Gonzalo Sanabria

    April 10, 2020 at 10:23 am

    @MPA @Manolo4Miami. By the way, yes it was a gross error allowing 1,000 plus Neon Blue Revel Scooters swallow up so many prime parking spots and spread all over. Total Disaster, visual and physically grotesque with zero benefits. GET RID OF THEM NOW!!!

  8. James

    April 10, 2020 at 11:19 am

    It’s not the same as an Indonesian tuk-tuk, it’s a completely new design.
    Bicycle messengers would ride regardless , it is only a side benefit that they get paid to deliver things. “Getting paid to exercise” is what they say. DHL however is a corporate entity, and their drivers get pensions and insurance.
    I’m not sure if you expect a gold plated Lamborghini to deliver packages, or what difference it makes. It’s called the “last mile”. Do you want the Airbus A380 cargo plane to pull up to your front door?
    I will concede that I don’t see any headlight on the DHL vehicle. And I have seen other vehicles with plastic body panels to cover their steel tube frames. But they not there to put on a pageant for you!

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