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Upscaling cargo bike sharing - A case study of “LastenVelo e.V.” in Freiburg and “Grätzlrad” in Vienna

Zimmermann, Kaja LU (2023) In IIIEE Master Thesis IMEM02 20231
The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
Abstract (Swedish)
There is a need to transform the urban mobility regime to mitigate climate change and improve living quality in cities. Cargo bikes (CBs) offer a promising solution to replace motorized vehicles, especially for last-mile deliveries and private logistics. They show considerably lower carbon intensity, occupy less space and help reduce air and noise pollution in cities. CB sharing relieves individuals from the purchase and maintenance costs, while attracting users who wish to test cargo bikes. However, CB sharing is mainly used by a homogenous group of early adopters with high environmental awareness. Barriers to the adoption of CB sharing originate from the urban infrastructure set up, individual mobility choices and design of cargo bike... (More)
There is a need to transform the urban mobility regime to mitigate climate change and improve living quality in cities. Cargo bikes (CBs) offer a promising solution to replace motorized vehicles, especially for last-mile deliveries and private logistics. They show considerably lower carbon intensity, occupy less space and help reduce air and noise pollution in cities. CB sharing relieves individuals from the purchase and maintenance costs, while attracting users who wish to test cargo bikes. However, CB sharing is mainly used by a homogenous group of early adopters with high environmental awareness. Barriers to the adoption of CB sharing originate from the urban infrastructure set up, individual mobility choices and design of cargo bike sharing organizations (CBSOs). This thesis analyzes the pathways for scaling up CB sharing, i.e., increasing their acceptance and use by a broad audience and making them integrated into the urban mobility regime. It does so through a comparative case study analysis of two CBSOs (Grätzlrad in Vienna and LastenVelo e.V. in Freiburg), which builds on data from a review of academic and grey literature and 15 semi-structured interviews with CB sharing stakeholders and experts. The analytical framework is informed by the multi-level perspective and strategic niche management, where CB sharing is viewed as a niche innovation in the urban mobility regime. The thesis advances understanding of CBSO business models and provides insights into how CBSOs interact with key stakeholders and their scalability. The findings show that CBSOs need to increase the density of shared CBs, while decreasing organizational effort for the users. New ways of CB sharing, such as integrating them in shared mobility hubs, should be explored. Municipal actors play a crucial role for upscaling and ensuring that CB sharing reaches diverse user groups. The results are useful for academia, CBSO practitioners and local policy makers. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Zimmermann, Kaja LU
supervisor
organization
course
IMEM02 20231
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
cargo bike sharing, sharing economy business models, multi-level perspective, strategic niche management, upscaling
publication/series
IIIEE Master Thesis
report number
2023:29
ISSN
1401-9191
language
English
id
9133047
date added to LUP
2023-08-01 12:55:16
date last changed
2023-08-01 12:55:16
@misc{9133047,
  abstract     = {{There is a need to transform the urban mobility regime to mitigate climate change and improve living quality in cities. Cargo bikes (CBs) offer a promising solution to replace motorized vehicles, especially for last-mile deliveries and private logistics. They show considerably lower carbon intensity, occupy less space and help reduce air and noise pollution in cities. CB sharing relieves individuals from the purchase and maintenance costs, while attracting users who wish to test cargo bikes. However, CB sharing is mainly used by a homogenous group of early adopters with high environmental awareness. Barriers to the adoption of CB sharing originate from the urban infrastructure set up, individual mobility choices and design of cargo bike sharing organizations (CBSOs). This thesis analyzes the pathways for scaling up CB sharing, i.e., increasing their acceptance and use by a broad audience and making them integrated into the urban mobility regime. It does so through a comparative case study analysis of two CBSOs (Grätzlrad in Vienna and LastenVelo e.V. in Freiburg), which builds on data from a review of academic and grey literature and 15 semi-structured interviews with CB sharing stakeholders and experts. The analytical framework is informed by the multi-level perspective and strategic niche management, where CB sharing is viewed as a niche innovation in the urban mobility regime. The thesis advances understanding of CBSO business models and provides insights into how CBSOs interact with key stakeholders and their scalability. The findings show that CBSOs need to increase the density of shared CBs, while decreasing organizational effort for the users. New ways of CB sharing, such as integrating them in shared mobility hubs, should be explored. Municipal actors play a crucial role for upscaling and ensuring that CB sharing reaches diverse user groups. The results are useful for academia, CBSO practitioners and local policy makers.}},
  author       = {{Zimmermann, Kaja}},
  issn         = {{1401-9191}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{IIIEE Master Thesis}},
  title        = {{Upscaling cargo bike sharing - A case study of “LastenVelo e.V.” in Freiburg and “Grätzlrad” in Vienna}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}