UPS has begun a pilot program to deliver packages by cargo bicycle instead of their classic boxy brown truck this holiday season. This experiment is currently being tested in Oregon, California and Washington as a cost cutting measure for the logistics company. Although package capacity per trip is a lot smaller, the energy savings add up.
Bike Portland reports:
“For every three bikes we use for deliveries, we save an average of 17 gallons of fuel per day (compared to one truck). That’s about $50 in savings.” Across the entire district, Grant says for every three bikes used during the holiday season, UPS will save $38,000 in vehicle operation and upkeep costs.
As an added bonus, gas 2.0 points out that the UPS delivery person was interacting more intimately with members of the community. It seems that downgrading the transportation technology to a more human scale is promoting community building as well.
Bike Portland: “UPS gears up for holidays with bike delivery”
[via gas 2.0]
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They may save gas, but doesn’t it cost more to have 3 people riding bikes instead of 1 driving a truck?
December 11th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
It also saves three trucks…
December 11th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I think that now is the time that we’d rather have 3 people riding bikes.. Talk about job creation
December 11th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Very interesting. I just hope nobody steals the packages when the delivery man has to go inside to deliver a package. I see this as a West and East coast thing. It may take a while for this to happen in the heartland…especially El Paso.
December 12th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
great idea and makes complete sense especially for inner city.
December 18th, 2008 at 1:01 am