PEDALING PACKAGES
UPS set to use electronically assisted tricycles to deliver in Pittsburgh
Abattery-powered eBike that has allowed UPS drivers to deliver packages to customers in foreign countries around the world for nearly two decades will make its U.S. debut on Thursday in the Steel City.
The Atlanta-based package delivery company unveiled the newest addition to its U.S. vehicle fleet Wednesday at its customer center on Beaver Avenue. The threewheel mountain bike is attached to a dark brown trailer sporting the UPS company logo.
The eBike, according to the company, can travel up to 18 mph and hold up to 20 packages.
It comes equipped with a windshield, headlights, turn signals, hazard lights and even a bell to get the attention of pedestrians, drivers and other cyclists in traffic. A battery-powered electric motor makes it easier to cover longer distances hauling heavy loads than with traditional bicycles.
The vehicle can be operated solely on battery power, pedal power or both, but the bike achieves maximum energy efficiency when combining battery power and human power simultaneously.
“We have been using eBikes in Europe, Germany, France, Italy and Belgium. This one will be the first in the United States to be on a regular delivery route,” said Deanna Cain, a company spokeswoman.
The Pittsburgh eBike will be used to make next-day-air deliveries to commercial businesses in the Downtown area Monday through Friday. The vehicle is likely to be spotted on the streets in the early morning hours since the deliveries are guaranteed by 10:30 a.m. It will be stored in a garage on Fort Pitt Boulevard.
Andrew Trebesh, a 22-year-old lifelong resident of Mount Washington, will be responsible for driving Pittsburgh’s eBike.
He knows the area. He has delivered UPS packages in the Downtown area for the past three years as an air package walker.
“I’m excited about it,” he said. “It will make my job easier to ride instead of walk, and it will be good for UPS to get the word out about them. Hopefully, the company can take them to other centers throughout
the country.”
His new work gear will consist of a helmet, gloves, glasses and elbow and knee pads. While the eBike is equipped to operate on the streets, Mr. Trebesh said he will use bicycle lanes whenever possible — especially at times when the bike must travel slower than the flow of Downtown traffic.
In its way, the electrically assisted tricycle is meant to help reduce carbon emissions in addition to addressing traffic, noise and air quality challenges in Pittsburgh. The deployment is part of UPS’s Cycle Solutions and the company’s Rolling Laboratory, which tests alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles.
Karina Ricks, the City of Pittsburgh’s mobility and infrastructure director, applauded UPS for opening up the streets of Pittsburgh to a more sustainable type of commerce.
“We are happy to see this technology coming to our Downtown where we have very narrow streets and we struggle with traffic congestion,” she said.
Using its rolling laboratory approach, UPS deploys more than 8,500 low-emission vehicles. Those range from electrically assisted bicycles in dense urban areas such as London and Hamburg, to electric and hybrid electric vehicles in the U.S., and natural gas, renewable gas and propane powered vehicles globally.