fLotte free cargo bikes to transform Berlin urban freight
The City of Berlin, a member of C40 Cities, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, the Covenant of Mayors Europe, and engaged in the Cities Race to Zero and the European Climate Pact, has shown positive results in its transport emissions assessment data. CDP-ICLEI 2022 track shows that almost 50 % of the population moves around the city by bicycle and on foot, 27 % rely on public transport and 23 % use private transport.
There are several initiatives in Berlin that promote cycling. One of the main supporters and organizers is the German Cycling Association of Berlin (ADFC), which aims to improve conditions for cyclists in order to increase the number of bicycles in the capital. The ADFC, supported by the local Berlin authorities and the State of Berlin, initiated and implemented the free cargo bike project fLotte Berlin.
What makes fLotte's cargo bikes special is the fact that it is a bottom-up initiative based on promoting a common good by making it available and free to all. Citizens can borrow cargo bikes free of charge for up to 3 days, by registering on the online platform. Participants see the fLotte as a common project, managing this service carefully and responsibly.
The project aims to transform urban mobility and ultimately induce a behavioural change in the use and means of transport. Many fLotte cargo bikes are present at central social infrastructure facilities like family centres, libraries or neighbourhood centres and are the so called “fLotte kommunal”. Mainly thanks to the initiative of the ADFC and of the local Berlin authorities who wanted to bring more bicycle-based transport into the neighbourhoods.
Michael Färber, policy officer at the Senate Department for the Environment, Urban Mobility, Consumer Protection and Climate Action: “With fLotte - kommunal, we are whetting people's appetites for climate-friendly mobility. It enjoys great popularity, also as it instantly increases life quality in our neighbourhoods. Being free of charge, we are also proud in making the mobility transition more just and inclusive.”
However, in “fLotte” there are also cargo bikes to lend at local shops and supermarkets that promote their business with the bikes and attract customers to easily use the cargo bikes for their shopping.
The initiative continues to grow. In January 2018, fLotte started with 5 cargo bikes in 4 neighbourhoods and now 5 years later, it has 240 cargo bikes, almost 50 times more, located across all 12 neighbourhoods in Berlin in addition to surrounding areas. More than 500 volunteer's support the project as partners in designated locations or as bike mentors.
Berliners are keen users of cargo bikes, especially to transport bulky goods, children and pets. A survey by fLotte found that almost 30 % of respondents own a car. However, only 4 % use it as their main means of transport.
Between March and August 2020, “fLotte Corona help” supported social projects such as the Berliner Tafel, an association that brings food to people in need. In addition, through 59 cargo bikes used over more than 2,600 days, it supported voluntary initiatives such as neighbourhood help and a mobile library.
Free cargo bikes are a widespread movement: today there are free cargo bikes in more than 100 German cities. Often with the support of the local ADFC, local groups ensure that cargo bikes are also available for free rental in their community.
CDP-ICLEI Track 2022: https://data.cdp.net/
European Climate Pact: https://climate-pact.europa.eu/index_en
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability: https://iclei.org/
Cities Race to Zero: www.citiesracetozero.org
Covenant of Mayors Europe: https://www.globalcovenantofmayors.org/region/european-union-and-western-europe/
ADFC Berlin: https://berlin.adfc.de
Common cargo bikes - fLotte kommunal: https://flotte-berlin.de
Berliner Tafel: https://www.berliner-tafel.de
Commons cargo bikes: https://dein-lastenrad.de/