More pedal-powered cargo delivery, now in Portland

Hardly a week goes by without news of some fresh pedal-powered innovation, and this week is no exception. The latest spotting? Oregon-based B-Line, which offers tricycle cargo deliveries for companies serving downtown Portland. Very similar to French La Petite Reine — which we covered back in 2008 — B-line uses a fleet of electric-assisted tricycles with attached trailers to provide a green solution for last-mile deliveries. Clients can either drop off their pallets at B-line’s southeast Portland warehouse, or they can opt to have B-line pick up their goods. Either way, the company’s trike system can replace or offset the time and cost associated with traditional truck delivery, bearing loads up to 600 pounds and offering savings of 30 percent to 50 percent of the cost per delivery stop. Since its founding in February 2009, B-line has made more than 4,000 deliveries covering 16,000 miles and reduced CO2 emissions by an estimated 37,000 pounds. It’s also provided hours of sustainable, eye-catching advertising on the sides of its cargo box panels. Does your city have a sustainable delivery option? If not, what are you waiting for…? 😉 (Related: In Dublin, cargo bikes will ensure business deliveries during construction — Organic soups, delivered weekly by bicycle — Pedaled by two, a cargo bike for hauling furniture — Waitrose using bicycles & carts for greener grocery deliveries — Local produce, delivered by bicycle — Bicycle trailers on loan at IKEA.) Spotted by: Murray Orange