Given the supply challenges faced by certain retailers during the pedestrianization period, Coop Carbone and the Société de Développement de l’Avenue du Mont-Royal (SDAMR) collaborated to offer a modal shift pilot project to merchants to help address supply issues during the summer season.
Over a period of 10 weeks, Les Aliments Mi Corazon paused their gas-powered vehicle and delivered their food products by cargo bike with the help of La roue libre, a delivery company that offers certified sustainable deliveries.
Rafaël Martinez, owner of Les Aliments Mi Corazon, is impressed by the results of cargo bike delivery! “I found it to be efficient and very professional. Our customers didn’t notice any difference in the delivery service, whether it was a specialty shop or a supermarket chain.”
For Blandine Mille, co-owner of the neighborhood zero-waste grocery store and distributor of Les Aliments Mi Corazon, she is satisfied with this alternative. “They always offer great service; they even take back returnable containers. It works out great!”
As for the costs, cargo bike delivery was equally cost-effective compared to delivery with a gas-powered car. If we included vehicle maintenance costs, depreciation, and even potential fines or parking fees, the advantage of opting for bike delivery becomes clear, especially during periods of traffic disruptions.
In light of this experience, the owner of Les Aliments Mi Corazon is considering expanding their bike logistics and offering it to more interested customers. They are even thinking about providing their own cargo bike delivery service. However, the issue of secure storage space and bike maintenance still needs to be addressed.
In this regard, the possibility of sharing the use of a cargo bike between businesses in the neighborhood is an interesting avenue to consider. As for development, the prospects look promising, with other Business Development Societies and additional businesses testing it for the summer of 2025.
To learn everything about cyclologistics (or bike delivery), visit our page on the topic: Sustainable Bike Delivery
To read our first article about this topic, visit our page : Pedestrianization of Avenue du Mont-Royal: Is overcoming procurement issues by bicycle possible?
This project is made possible thanks to the financial support of PME MTL Centre-ville and Desjardins Caisse d’économie solidaire.
