Transporting packages, shopping, children... by bicycle!
Cycling is advancing in Catalonia thanks to cooperatives and entities that advocate a decarbonized model for urban delivery.
The traditional image of urban deliveries remains that of a van circling, blocking a lane, and searching for a place to stop. But in many cities—including Barcelona and several Catalan municipalities—this scene now coexists with cargo bikes that perform the same service with less noise, fewer emissions, and greater agility. Bicycle transportation has become a viable option for a considerable portion of urban goods distribution and, above all, a driver of change for public space and emissions reduction in cities.
THE LAST MILE: THE GREAT CHALLENGE OF URBAN TRANSPORT
This change is part of the transformation of what is known as the "last mile," the final leg of the logistics process—from the warehouse to the consumer—which, despite representing only a fraction of a product's total journey, is responsible for a very significant portion of urban transport emissions.
Unlike traditional distribution, which relies on large vans, cycle logistics is based on a decentralized and flexible network based on microhubs Urban centers—small goods consolidation points—are where delivery drivers set off on cargo bikes to their final destinations. This distribution method reduces distances, avoids congestion, and improves delivery times without the need for large warehouses or polluting vehicles. Data supports its effectiveness. A study conducted in Brussels by the logistics company Kale AI and published by the cargo bike manufacturer Larry vs. Harry found that, during a month and a half of testing, cargo bikes delivered an average of 10.1 packages per hour, while vans only delivered 4.9 in the same period and to the same destinations. This is equivalent to doubling the efficiency of motorized transport within the city. In European cities, half of all urban deliveries could be made by bicycle. This is according to the CycleLogistics project, which estimates the potential to replace motorized vehicles with bicycles or cargo bikes by 51%. The model, however, extends beyond commercial transport. Transforming everyday life: More and more families are using cargo bikes to take their children to school or do their shopping. In countries like Denmark and Germany, these vehicles are already a key part of daily mobility, and governments offer grants and subsidies to encourage their adoption for both private and professional use. The cooperative model driving Catalonia. In Catalonia, bicycle logistics has grown thanks to local initiatives and cooperatives that have opted for a more sustainable distribution of goods. The most prominent is the Catalunya Som Ecologística bicycle logistics network, which brings together several distribution cooperatives belonging to the social and solidarity economy. With a presence in Barcelona, Mataró, Sant Cugat, and Sabadell, the group makes around 25,000 deliveries per month and prevents the emission of approximately nine tons of CO₂ per month. Collectively, its members serve nearly 300 companies in the region. The organization explains that cycling is efficient, fast, and clean, but that the challenge is not only technical but also political. Som Ecologística states that its model not only seeks to reduce emissions, but also to improve working conditions in the sector and democratize urban logistics. "We are cooperatives rooted in the local area and committed to fair distribution, with decent wages and no precarious work," they add. Their collective operation contrasts with traditional distribution platforms, often based on precarious and centralized labor models. "The social economy allows us to work autonomously, distribute profits and responsibilities, and build a true alternative to dominant business models," they explain. More and more companies are choosing to work with cooperatives like Som Ecologística, both for environmental reasons and because of the values they project. According to the organization, bicycle delivery conveys an image of closeness, sustainability, and consistency that reinforces the social and environmental commitment of the brands that contract their services. "We often say that with a bicycle, the message is different," they state. In a market where environmental awareness is increasingly important, green logistics also represents a competitive advantage.
INSTITUTIONAL OBSTACLES TO CHANGE
Despite progress, the sector faces obstacles. Som Ecologística denounces the continued reluctance of local authorities to implement bold policies that promote change. "Many cities have decreed moratoriums until 2028 on restrictions for delivery vehicles within Low Emission Zones (LEZs), which is slowing down the development of the model," they lament.
They also demand that public procurement incorporate environmental and social criteria, so that the work of companies operating with zero-emission vehicles and forming part of the social economy is valued. "Institutions should lead by example and prioritize those who make deliveries without polluting or creating precarious working conditions," they conclude.
PUBLIC SPACE AND INFRASTRUCTURE: THE BIG OUTSTANDING PROBLEM
Cycling organizations agree that the main challenge is the lack of safe infrastructure and adequate logistical spaces. The Urban Cyclists Association of Catalonia (BACC) has been requesting the creation of protected bicycle parking spaces and cargo bikesBoth on the surface and in public facilities. "It's not just about having a lot of bike lanes, but a complete, continuous, and useful network," they say.
Along the same lines, Bicihub—Barcelona's leading community space dedicated to promoting cycling—points out that infrastructure remains the biggest obstacle: "Secure parking and improvements to bike lanes are needed, because without good infrastructure, people don't feel safe or motivated to use bicycles."
WHEN THE CITY IS ON LINE
When the infrastructure is right, the solution emerges. Cities like Copenhagen and London have shown that the bicycle can become a mass transit mode if it has a safe and comprehensive network. In the Danish capital, more than 40,000 cargo bikes are in circulation daily, and at least a quarter of families own one for daily use. In the British capital, Transport for London (TfL) estimates that cargo bikes could replace up to 17% of the kilometers traveled by vans in the city center by 2030, with a potential saving of 100 million kilometers per year. "Ultimately, local authorities must understand that cargo bike delivery is not a whim of a few cyclists, but part of the solution to the challenges ahead," concludes Som Ecologística.
