The document summarizes a study on how cargo bikes can influence mode substitution behavior. The study found that after purchasing a cargo bike, over 60% of respondents previously traveled by car for most trips but 69% used their cargo bike as their primary mode of transportation after purchasing one. This represents a potential 41% reduction in auto trips. The number of auto trips declined on average by 1-2 trips per day. Statistical analysis found a significant negative correlation between auto, transit, and traditional bike use and a cargo bike purchase, indicating potential mode substitution. Having children also positively correlated with increased cargo bike use. The study concludes cargo bikes could impact active transportation and more research is needed on their ability to influence travel behavior changes.

1. Cargo Bikes as an
Opportunity for Mode
Substitution Behavior
William Riggs, PhD, AICP

2. What is a cargo bike
❖ A human powered vehicle / bicycle designed and
constructed specifically for transporting loads.
❖ Other frequently terms used are freight bicycles,
carrier cycles, freight tricycles, box bikes, cycletrucks
or long johns.

3. Outline
❖ Literature
❖ Hypothesis
❖ Methods
❖ Results: Quantitative
❖ Results: Qualitative
❖ Conclusions

4. Literature
❖ Ample body of work on bicycles, mode choice and programs to
promote cycling (Pinjari, Pendyala, Bhat, & Waddell, 2008; J. Pucher,
Buehler, & Seinen, 2011; Pucher, Dill, & Handy, 2010b)
❖ Young adults and men are more likely to cycle for utilitarian purposes,
e.g. trips for errands, to school, or work vs. for leisure (Winters, Friesen,
Koehoorn, & Teschke, 2007)
❖ Some discussion of cargo bikes for logistics & courier service
(Shaheen, Guzman, & Zhang, 2010; Gruber, Kihm, & Lenz, 2013; Lenz &
Riehle, 2013). For example, Berlin banned car courier services within the
city center as a trial (Gössling, 2013; J. Pucher & Buehler, 2008).

5. Hypothesis
Problem: Lack of understanding of
how individuals interact with platform.
• Potential to impact active
transportation; especially
for families?
• Possible insights mode
substitution behavior?

6. Methods
❖ Stated preference survey exploring
❖ 1) Trip mode before and after
purchase
❖ 2) Trip Type (work, school, other)
❖ 3) Individual characteristics and
preferences & open ended
qualitative responses
❖ Statistical evaluation & qualitative
coding
❖ Roughly 300 responses (N=299)
+/-5.6 at the 95% confidence
interval

7. Results: Descriptive Highlights
❖ Descriptive Highlights
❖ Prior to ownership 60% percent traveled via car.
❖ Most trips (68%) work related; 53% dropped kids on these trips.
❖ After purchase of cargo bike, 19% reported their car / auto as
primary mode; a potential 41% reduction in auto trips. (69%
used their cargo bike as primary mode.)
❖ Total number of auto trips appeared to decline by 1-2 trips per
day for these individuals (on average 3-10 miles per day)
❖ 62% had at least considered giving up a vehicle.

8. Value Count Percent
Percent
Change
Car / Truck /
Auto
37 19.1% -40.4%
Bus / Transit 2 1.0% -4.6%
Traditional
Bicycle
21 10.8% -17.2%
Cargo / Utility
Bicycle
133 68.6% 68.6%
Walking 0 0.0% -3.9%
Other 1 0.5% -2.5%
Results: Primary Travel Mode After
Purchasing a Cargo Bike

9. Results: Inferential Statistics
❖ Significant negative correlation with
auto, transit and bike indicates potential
mode substitution; strongest pull on
autos and traditional bikes
❖ Purchase of cargo bike significant
positive correlation with increased bike
trips
❖ In every model kids are positively
correlated with cargo bike use at the .05
threshold or higher
B Sig.
Primary Mode Auto -0.465***
Primary Mode Transit -0.111**
Primary Mode Traditional
Bicycle
-0.349***
After Other -0.079----
Drop Kids 0.115**
Trip Purpose Work --------
Trip Purpose School 0.017----
Trip Purpose Other -0.093*
Increase Bike Trips 0.348***
Car to Cargo | R = .57
Statistical Significance:
*** (p < 0.05)
** (0.05 < p < 0.10)
* (0.10 < p < 0.20)

10. Results: Qualitative

11. Results: Qualitative

12. Conclusions
• Positive relationship between
cargo bikes / kids
• More research needed on mode
substitution behavior
• Potential policy implications if
cargo bikes continue to be
adopted more widely

13. Follow-On?
• Built environment perception
of safety & street design
• Gender-norming benefits
• Caloric Benefit Cargo vs.
Traditional / e-Bike

14. Dutch / Step Through French / Mixed
Road / Touring / City

16. Follow-On?
• Mode substitution behavior
and getting beyond ‘hardcore’
users
• Social vs. market behavioral
nudges

17. – EDWARD TUFTE
“There is no such thing as information overload,
only bad design.”

18. 30.1%
34.5%
13.3%
42.5%
69.9%
77.0%
74.3%
67.3%
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
80.0%
90.0%
A B C D
Percentage
Percentage of Responses by Treatment Group
Success
Failure

20. Cargo Bikes as an Opportunity for Mode Substitution Behavior
Questions William Riggs
Calpoly, San Luis Obispo
wriggs@calpoly.edu