Antwerp hospitals go green with cargo bike deliveries

To avoid traffic congestion caused by major road infrastructure works and to operate more sustainably, Ziekenhuis aan de Stroom (ZAS), a network of public hospitals in Antwerp, has started using electric cargo bikes for small deliveries between its five campuses within the Singel. “A cargo bike is more sustainable and future-proof: drones can’t fly in strong winds, but bikes are always reliable,” says Patrick Gijbels, ZAS’s supply chain manager.

The electric cargo bikes transport medicines, documents, and internal mail, replacing small trucks and taxis for short inner-city trips. Each bike visits two to three campuses per day. ZAS currently employs two bicycle couriers, with plans to expand to three or even four in the near future.

“With the cargo bike, we are primarily reducing our environmental footprint,” explains Gijbels. “Previously, we relied on taxis for transporting medication and samples between campuses. The bike offers a flexible and sustainable alternative. It also helps us stay ahead of the expected traffic delays from the Oosterweel project.”

Looking ahead, ZAS aims to reduce its dependence on its largest truck by 2026, increasing the use of cargo bikes and other small, efficient vehicles.

Author: Carolina Ramos

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.