Don't mistake them for bicycles, but New Yorkers might soon have to adapt to these four-wheeled, pedal-powered cargo vehicles that bear a closer resemblance to compact trucks than your typical two-wheeled Schwinn. The city Department of Transportation is expected to suggest a shift in city regulations, soon, that will legalize the operation of these tiny trucks on city streets.
The proposal, due to be announced on Monday, will make a case for increasing the permissible width of cargo bikes. At present, city laws restrict the width of cargo bikes to a maximum of 36 inches and classify a bicycle as a vehicle with less than four wheels. However, Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez’s is aiming to widen these allowances. His proposal suggests that cargo bikes could be as wide as 4 feet and sport as many wheels as an automobile.
The introduction is justified by city officials who believe that these larger four-wheel models provide greater stability while boosting cargo capacity compared to the currently legal cargo e-tricycles. They also fulfill the Department of Transportation’s objectives towards reducing carbon emissions and city congestion.
“Greater use of cargo bikes will bring incredible environmental and safety benefits for New York City by reducing the number of large, high-polluting trucks on our streets,” Rodriguez said. “It has been calculated that two cargo bikes can substitute a single box truck, leading to a 14-ton reduction in CO2 emissions annually- equivalent to eliminating the travel of almost 31,000 passenger cars miles,” Rodriguez elaborated.
An initiative, previously announced in April, seeks to establish cargo distribution hubs across the city where freight could be transferred from large trucks and dispatched locally via electric vans or e-bikes.
Incredibly, more than 5 million packages were delivered by cargo bikes last year, according to city Transport Department figures. The Department also showcased its self-designed, 3-foot-wide, four-wheel e-bike model earlier this year.
This new vehicle, resembling a mini delivery truck from all angles, including a mounted windshield, conforms to current law as a trial case. Department officials have indicated they're considering using it for transporting equipment to smaller construction sites as an alternative to the classic van.
However, changing state legality to allow the 4-foot wide cargo e-bikes was stalled within the state Legislature once again this year — recalling two earlier failed attempts to authorize similar laws which didn't make it to the governor's office.
The Transportation Department aims to leapfrog this hurdle by pitching its rule at the city level directly. As per city law, Monday's planned announcement will instigate a 30-day public comment period on the draft proposal. Additionally, a virtual public hearing has been set for Sept. 13 at 10 a.m., to deliberate on the proposition.
