2013 Reports

The Benefits of Cargo Bikes in Rio de Janeiro: A Case Study

Hagen, Jonas; Lobo, Zé; Mendonça, Cristina

The use of bicycles and tricycles for goods delivery is growing in Europe and the United States, largely for environmental reasons and often aided by public policy. In Rio de Janeiro, goods delivery by cargo bike is already a thriving practice, with thousands of deliveries made every day, with no incentive from public policy or consumer preference for environmentally-friendly practices. This paper first examines existing literature, topics and trends regarding the use of cargo bikes in Europe and the US, then describes data collected on the use of these vehicles in Rio de Janeiro, and finally makes policy recommendations to strengthen this practice in Brazil in general and Rio de Janeiro in particular.