In Quebec, bikes-cargo will crisscross the streets of Saint-Roch, Saint-Sauveur, Vanier and Limoilou districts, summer and winter, to make the delivery of certain packages.
Quebec City and other organizations behind this initiative thus hope to considerably reduce the ecological footprint and congestion caused by home delivery in central districts.
The Carbon Solidarity Cooperative (Coop Carbon) announced the establishment of an “mini-hub of urban logistics” on rue Lafayette, in the Saint-Sauveur sector on Tuesday.
A pilot project launched in July 2024 allowed several delivery companies to test the bicycle-cargo system in Saint-Jean-Baptiste and in Old Quebec.
“The carriers were able to see that it was profitable. […] Following positive results at 840, rue Honoré-Mercier, we found this space which will allow other sectors to be served, “explains the strategic advisor of Coop Carbon, Olivia Wu.
In total, the implementation of this warehouse of 3000 square feet will be at the cost of $ 226,000, part of which will be assumed by the City in its desire “to accelerate the development of the circular economy and mobility”.
“This is another use that is added to the liveliness. Bikes-cargoes are designed to move on the cycle paths, and there will therefore be no traffic issues with their addition, “says the vice-president of the Executive Committee and advisor to the Saint-Roch-Saint-Sauveur district, Pierre-Luc Lachance.
The city councilor of the Saint-Roch-Saint-Sauveur district, Pierre-Luc Lachance, is delighted with the establishment of a new service which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in downtown Quebec.
Photo Vincent Desbiens
Vancouver-Montréal
Purolator is the first company to have formalized its interest in establishing itself in the new hub logistics. She will have two electric bikes there, whose autonomy will increase deliveries within a department affecting the Saint-Sauveur districts, Saint-Roch, Vanier, Limoilou and even Saint-Jean-Baptiste.
“We expect to make around 130 to 150 parcel deliveries per day with these vehicles. We are talking about a reduction of 20 tonnes of CO2 By year, the equivalent of 20 Montreal Vancouver trips in terms of programs. This is not negligible, ”argues the manager of operations, research and innovation at Purolator, Christian Couture.
He does not deviate from adding other electric bikes to the company’s fleet in the capital if gains in time, money and the reduction in environmental impact also remain convincing.
“We think it is a great solution for central districts, where delivery of the last kilometer is a major issue. It is also much cheaper than electric trucks and it is much more agile. ”
Loaded with full capacity, this bicycle-cargo designed by De Vinci has a range of 45 km. It should make it possible to deliver between 65 and 75 packages every day in the central districts.
Photo Vincent Desbiens
Four seasons
While delivery by Vélo-Cargo is already widespread in several major Canadian cities, such as Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal, Quebec will be the first where this operation will be tested throughout the year thanks to vehicles of value “between $ 15,000 and $ 18,000”, which Purolator ensures that they will be in the snow and cold.
“We worked in collaboration with De Vinci, the manufacturer, to ensure that bikes will be effective at all times,” says Christian Couture. Vehicle autonomy is expected to reduce by 15 to 20% in winter, but they have a fast charging system that allows you to resume around 80% of the battery in less than an hour. We are therefore confident. “
Olivia Wu also confirmed that Coop Carbone was in discussion with other carriers interested in renting a space for their own bikes in the new hub urban delivery.
