Credit: NYCDOT
Cities are most successful in supporting delivery by bike when they address a specific challenge and co-create solutions with target user groups.
In many cases, courier companies or local businesses may approach local governments with proposals for starting bike delivery programs. To have these conversations, it’s important for city staff to already understand related regulations, the curbside environment, and bike network needs. (See Essentials for Urban Delivery by Bike.)
City staff should brainstorm with a broad set of stakeholders to address challenges, promote bike delivery, and support businesses interested in starting bike delivery programs.
- Talk to stakeholders to critique assumptions. Assumptions about what will make for a successful program may not match the priorities and needs of parties making deliveries, those receiving them, or the availability of resources. Early in the process, communicate with delivery stakeholders, understand their needs, and identify alignment.
- Establish the team. While engaging delivery stakeholders, identify an internal team of city stakeholders. To manage the program effectively and avoid implementation delays, the internal team should hold diverse roles across several city agencies to align goals, policy changes, and programs across departments.
- Build flexibility into the process. Frequent communication with delivery operators, workers, small businesses, and other stakeholders will be key in determining what is and isn’t working for them. A collaborative and iterative process that allows for experimentation on all sides will allow cities to balance their priorities with those of delivery partners.
Common Stakeholders
Facilitating the flow of goods and services in urban contexts is no less complicated when shifting to bike deliveries. Consider the complex network of stakeholders involved in moving and storing packages, food, and other goods across the city.
Large Logistics and Bike Courier Companies
Logistics companies interested in delivery by bike will typically approach city officials to discuss what they need to support a mode shift. Logistics companies need to train workers, procure and manage e-bike fleets, and share delivery data through data agreements with the city.
Small Businesses, Restaurants, and Meal Vendors
Businesses already engaged in bike delivery services can share valuable insights on their challenges and needs. Those who haven’t yet adopted bike deliveries but are excited about the idea can help the city identify the barriers to making this transition.
Business/Community Improvement Districts
As representatives of local businesses, improvement districts may approach the city with delivery challenges they hope to address, such as congestion or a lack of charging facilities. The city may want to approach improvement districts to facilitate business outreach and recruitment or to identify appropriate locations for bike corrals, microhubs, or charging stations.
Delivery Workers and Worker Unions
Delivery workers have the most intimate knowledge of on-the-ground delivery logistics, and their perspectives are invaluable to any delivery intervention. Bike delivery operators can identify gaps, such as a lack of battery swapping cabinets or secure bike storage. They can also identify barriers impeding the switch to e-bikes.
Workers’ associations and unions can connect the city to workers to understand their interests and concerns about shifting to bike delivery. Unions can also communicate labor laws that cities need to consider.
Legal and Policy Staff
City staff members who interpret the law and create environmental policies, zoning, and other rules and regulations will be necessary partners in establishing policies, changing regulations, and developing new permitting programs. Ensure that they have the resources to understand local and state laws regarding bikes and the city’s goals regarding bike delivery.
Fire Department
The fire department can communicate safety preferences around bike charging infrastructure, microhubs, or bike corral placement. Fire departments can be powerful advocates for battery charging or subsidy programs, particularly when unsafe devices can be swapped for those that are certified to meet ULSE standards.
Parking Management and Enforcement
Parking management teams at the city can transition existing parking spaces to expand loading zones, create bike corrals, or add storage capacity to microhubs. Parking enforcement teams can monitor curbside loading spaces to prevent illegal parking that blocks delivery bikes. Parking enforcement, code enforcement, or project staff can periodically monitor high-demand areas to ensure that e-bikes do not block pedestrians from using sidewalks or park in unauthorized locations.
Implementation Partners
Implementation partners that help facilitate delivery by bike programs might include nonprofits, community-based organizations, advocacy organizations, or universities. These organizations can hold a number of roles, including:
- Identifying community partner organizations.
- Conducting market research on bike procurement.
- Serving as the point of contact for delivery workers.
- Performing participant case management.
- Educating delivery workers on regulations.
- Surveying delivery workers throughout a program’s lifespan.
Local Bike Shops
E-bikes used for delivery will need regular maintenance, and local bike shops will act as the primary maintenance providers. City officials can identify bike shops that maintain e-bikes and connect local businesses and delivery riders with them.