Sales of e-cargo bikes have increased in recent years. In the major cities of German-speaking Switzerland, a good half of car journeys within the city are less than 5 km long (Städtevergleich Mobilität, 2017). It is therefore conceivable that some of these journeys will be replaced by e-cargo bikes.

The aim of this project is to specify the road safety problems to be expected as a result of the anticipated increase in e-cargo bikes on urban roads and to derive suitable preventive measures. The following research questions will be addressed:

1. what is the current status of e-cargo bike use in Switzerland, especially in cities?
2. are there any indications of e-cargo bike-specific safety problems and requirements in urban road traffic?
3. what additional skills do e-cargo bike users need, especially for heavier commercial use?
4. how should the preventive, infrastructural and legal framework conditions in Switzerland be designed for the safe use of e-cargo bikes?
5. which preventive measures can prevent e-cargo bike accidents?

In view of the lack of statistics and low accident figures to date, a needs assessment should clarify whether and which preventive measures could be taken. As there is an obvious connection between road users’ perception of safety and their behaviour on the road, the subjective risk assessment of e-cargo bike users will be taken into account. These will be compared with the expertise of specialists from various safety-relevant areas.

The project is being carried out jointly with the ZHAW. It is funded by the AXA Foundation for Prevention.