Mechelen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Mechelen’s Pidpa is replacing some vans with cargo bicycles to improve efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Director Christophe Poels says bikes help technicians perform tasks like digital meter installation faster.
As VRT News reported, Mechelen is introducing cargo bicycles into the operations of the local water company Pidpa. Some of the company’s vans will be replaced with large cargo bikes as part of a European initiative that started in Amsterdam. The European Union is now testing the project in smaller cities, including Mechelen, to explore sustainable mobility solutions.
“Here in Mechelen, we provide services in an urban, densely populated area. A bicycle is often more convenient than a van,”
says director Christophe Poels.
What is Mechelen’s Pidpa doing to boost efficiency with cargo bikes?
The change also affects how Pidpa carries out certain tasks. Smaller and lighter activities, such as installing digital meters, can now be performed using the cargo bicycles.
“We focus on activities that do not need a full van,”
says Pols from Pidpa.
The introduction of cargo bicycles at Pidpa is expected to make operations more efficient. Officials mentioned that technicians will be able to complete their work faster and spend less time in traffic. The cargo bikes are designed to handle the smaller daily operations that do not require a full van, improving mobility in busy areas of the city.
“Customers also appreciate lower CO2 emissions.”
Christophe Pols, director at Pidpa
Pidpa seeks to limit its CO2 emissions as part of its standard operations. The company plans to expand the use of cargo bicycles beyond the pilot stage, making them a permanent part of its operations. The city of Mechelen supports the project, noting that service-sector logistics are often difficult in historic city centres.
“Our technicians are already familiar with the bike.”
Poels continues.
“They’ve been involved in the project from the very beginning, ensuring the bike is tailored to their needs.”
The concept of using cargo bicycles for urban service operations began in Amsterdam in 2022, where utility companies tested them for small-scale deliveries and maintenance tasks in busy city centres. In 2023, the European Union promoted the initiative to other major cities as part of its sustainable mobility programs. By 2025, the project reached Mechelen, making it one of the first smaller European cities to adopt cargo bicycles for utility work.
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