Urban Mobility and Communities: Cargo Bikes in the City

In the last 20 years, researchers have studied how using cargo bikes changes the delivery of goods in cities, especially for the last part of the journey. But there is another important question: Why do some cargo bike rental projects succeed while others fail? In this project, the focus is on what makes cargo bike service providers successful in urban areas. We will also identify the challenges that make it difficult for these services to grow and consider how these barriers can be addressed. In addition, we will examine different operational and business model approaches based on their target groups. This project will focus on real-world and business aspects of improving city transportation. Students will look at the social and environmental benefits of cargo bike rentals, but also what is needed for these services to last over time. This includes who will use them, what value they offer, how they work, how they get money, how they tell people about their service, and how they can grow. Students will also study the current market for cargo bike rentals: who already offers them, how many people want to use them, and what the market looks like overall. As part of the project, students will examine and compare a range of existing cargo bike service models, including those targeting individual users and businesses, and evaluate which business model elements are most suitable for the Kassel context, including potential combinations of approaches.