Shopping, delivering parcels, transporting freight or even moving house can often be done by bike or tricycle. Cargo bikes can be a cost-effective, environmentally friendly and noise-free alternative to vehicles that cause air pollution, congestion and disruption.

The unpredictability of petrol prices, the uncertain economic situation and sustainability issues combine to create a compelling case for saving fuel. There are many ways to save energy, but perhaps one of the most obvious is to minimise car use. It is good for the environment, good for your wallet, and you don’t have to suffer many sacrifices, as there are many great alternatives – public transport, public cars, cargo bikes – to choose from.

No-one is unfamiliar with the sight of vans using the hazard lights, taking up an entire lane and causing traffic disruption. Unfortunately, in many cases, the driver really has no choice but to park illegally. At the same time, goods transport by lorry is on the increase throughout Europe. According to a study, in European cities, up to 50 percent of all freight transport currently carried by car could be done by bicycles.

“The state and municipalities should promote the use of cargo bikes, which would significantly reduce parking problems, congestion and air pollution. The customers of parcel deliveries would also benefit, as the operating costs of a bicycle are negligible compared to those of a van, which would also be reflected in the prices” - stated Márton Vargha, Transport Policy Officer of Clean Air Action Group.

The majority of people also use cars for large shopping trips, since –- apart from convenience – many people are not in the physical condition to carry heavy luggage home by public transport or on foot. A good alternative is the cargo bike sharing system, which has been available in Budapest since 2018. The system KözTeherbringa (PublicCargobike) makes it easy to carry heavy luggage, big shopping purchases or even a piece of furniture to be moved to the right place.

“We believe it is very important to make the use of cargo bikes as a widely available and popular form of freight transport as much as possible. Budapest is well on its way to becoming a safe and healthy environment for cyclists, and this process should be accelerated,” said Judit Szegő, project leader of Clean Air Action Group.

The Clean Air Action Group’s video on the benefits of cargo bike sharing can be seen here, and on a cargo bike parcel delivery service here. (The first video was supported by the Clean Mobility Collective, which promotes non-motorized transport initiatives in several European countries.)