The surge in online shopping, accelerated by COVID-19, has driven up the demand for package deliveries, and that demand continues to rise.

As traditional delivery methods contribute to urban traffic congestion and pollution, cargo bikes - a staple of bike-friendly countries like Denmark and the Netherlands - are becoming a common sight in cities across Europe as a sustainable and efficient alternative to vans.

These larger, typically electric bikes with separate carriers can transport a wide range of loads, from small parcels to larger items, making them ideal for urban deliveries.

In Europe, it is estimated that up to 50 per cent of motorised trips involving the transport of goods in cities could be made by cargo bikes and bicycles, according to a recent study.

  • OddOpinions5@mas.to
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    1 month ago

    @SteveKLord
    I was born in 1953 and my image of people doing labor like this , based on how we perceived people in low income countries, is of a person whose body was worn out by age 30

    to a large extent progress is humans not having to do heavy manual labor
    sheesh

    • puppy@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      Yeah, instead we buy gym memberships and toil away at the gym. Or die of a heart attack by age 45. Progress!

      Sheesh.

    • Justin@lemmy.jlh.name
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      1 month ago

      The majority of cargo bikes, especially those used for deliveries, are electric and don’t require manual labor.

      • Che Banana@beehaw.org
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        1 month ago

        Regardless, I’ve been doing manual labor my entire 35 year career and still use a cargo bike almost daily. Only thing that has worn out is the seat & tires.

    • Steve@slrpnk.netOP
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      1 month ago

      You seem to have missed the point of the article as it in no way was trying to propose more labor for working class people. In many ways it is trying to overcome the oppressive image that you have in your head. To a large extent, these changes are trying to advance human progress by overcoming the crises we find ourselves facing. You were born in 1953? That makes you about 70-71 but your profile says you’re 66 years old. That’s an odd inconsistency.

      • OddOpinions5@mas.to
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        1 month ago

        @SteveKLord

        1
        yeah, I lie about my age

        2
        re the 1,000x
        if you read the comments in the thread you posted, several people point out this is just ludicrouis

        so I"m not quite sure what I should have said to you when you post something that is absurd
        seriously, what am I to say ?

        • ex_06@slrpnk.netM
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          1 month ago

          I don’t want to silence this discussion because the “worn out bodies” comment is actually useful to be debunked and discussed

          But pls read the slrpnk.net rules

          There is space to disagree but be more constructive 🤝

        • Steve@slrpnk.netOP
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          1 month ago

          Sir you are commenting in the wrong thread and the wrong community. Why do that here? I am not a moderator here. I did read all the comments a month ago when the discussion was current and active. You commented here in a combative way and then specifically went to an older post of mine and told me what "should be obvious to " me without any discussion of why or otherwise adding anything constructive. You received several downvotes and were asked to be more constructive. Instead you’ve doubled down here and repeated the insult.

    • teft@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      Biking is not hard on your body at all. Plenty of people cycle well into their 70s.

      • OddOpinions5@mas.to
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        1 month ago

        @teft

        even if this were true, it is true only if you have time rest and rejuvenate, and in particular rest after an injury

        tht option often not available to people working at lower wage jobs

        right ?

        • ex_06@slrpnk.netM
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          1 month ago

          tht option often not available to people working at lower wage jobs

          Cannot fix the need of stronger unions with cargo bikes for sure

          Here in Italy they can have sick days, not an issue usually

      • 14th_cylon@lemm.ee
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        1 month ago

        yeah, hard physical work basically rejuvenates you… it is the latest secret of celebrities, they all do that instead of botox and spa…

    • MrMakabar@slrpnk.net
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      1 month ago

      Cargo bikes are smaller then vans. So you can get closer to the destination, without having to carry the parcel.