Cargo bikes and their modal shift effects: from substitution to car renunciation

Abstract

In the context of a modal shift towards alternative transport modes such as cycling, walking and public transport, cargo bikes for personal transport could fill a void in the transport market by providing an alternative to car trips, especially among families. Yet, few studies have considered their modal shift effects on the use of other transport modes. We conduct a nationwide survey of 696 cargo bike owners in Switzerland, one of the largest samples to date. Cargo bikes’ modal shift effects are considered through three dimensions (1) their owners’ characteristics, motivations and uses; (2) the substitution of trips by other transport modes; and (3) the renunciation of ownership of other transport modes – especially the car. Our results provide a typology of five types of households depending on how the cargo bike induces a modal shift from the car.