Hermes Tests Cargo Bikes from citkar in Dresden and Leipzig

Hermes Germany continues to focus on sustainable parcel delivery: For this purpose, two cargo bikes from the Berlin manufacturer citkar are being tested in Dresden and Leipzig. The goal of the pilot project is to test the functionalities and handling of the e-cargo bike ‘Loadster’. With the insights gained from the Hermes pilot test, citkar aims to bring a cargo bike tailored to the KEP industry to market.

(Hamburg/Berlin) “Especially in cities like Leipzig and Dresden, with high traffic volumes and immense stop densities for our delivery personnel, cargo bikes are simply a perfect addition to parcel delivery,” explains Martin Jugel, Last Mile Manager for the Leipzig area at Hermes Germany. The citkar model ‘Loadster’ is equipped with the latest e-bike technology and is enhanced with modules from the automotive sector. The various modular structures, such as cooling boxes or an additional trailer, meet all expectations for a future-oriented, environmentally friendly utility vehicle. And this can even be driven without a driver’s license. Moreover, especially in large cities, the cargo bike achieves a speed that is difficult to match with a car. Thus, delivery in certain urban areas is even more efficient with the cargo bike than with a van.

Diverse Requirements for Cargo Bikes in the KEP Industry

The requirements for a cargo bike in the KEP industry are diverse: for example, high flexibility to deliver easily in narrow streets, to relieve urban traffic, and to tap into new employee groups. This is where the cooperation between citkar and Hermes comes into play. “Due to the growing delivery volume, transport on the last mile must be completely rethought to develop future-proof, actionable, and above all sustainable concepts,” says Jonas Kremer, founder and CEO of citkar. The two cargo bikes will be subjected to rigorous testing for four weeks in the city centers of Dresden and Leipzig. The insights gained will then be used to further develop the cargo bike. “We have already collaborated with several cargo bike manufacturers to better adapt the bikes to the KEP industry. And we simply really like the citkar model. The advantages are clear,” adds Martin Jugel.

High Payload and Different Loading Areas

The ‘Loadster’ from citkar is particularly suitable for parcel delivery due to its high payload of up to 200 kilograms. In the test operation, up to 90 shipments can be delivered daily per cargo bike in the historic center of Dresden. Starting from a central delivery base, the cargo bikes deliver the packages and parcels. The modular structure of the cargo bike is also a significant advantage. The mix of shipments transported by the cargo bike ranges from textile shipments in bags to small parcels and larger electronic devices. In the coming test weeks, the focus will be on battery performance, robustness in road traffic, and driving behavior. Regarding the last point, there have already been positive feedback: “The first test weeks have shown that our drivers are very satisfied with the bike and that the residents are also very positive about the alternative delivery method,” summarizes Martin Jugel with an initial positive conclusion. Following the four-week pilot in Dresden, the bikes will also be used for a month in daily delivery in Leipzig. Photo: © Hermes / Image Caption: Citkar cargo bike from Hermes in Dresden