RIPPL #54: A Call to Action for COVID Recovery and Urban Freight – Guest Post by Sam Starr


Sam Starr is a Vancouver-based Sustainable Cities Cycle Logistics Expert & Consultant. https://critical-mobility.com/


by Sam Starr

As cities reel from the lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, eCommerce has accelerated, streets are being reallocated for active transportation, and small businesses are struggling to stay afloat. Citizens are shifting away from public transportation, leading to a rise in personal vehicle use, and ultimately congestion. Bicycle and pedal-assist cycles are needed as an alternative mode of transport, and cargo cycles as a new sustainable vehicle powering urban goods movement. Resilience in the urban goods transport network can be achieved, through the use of Urban Consolidation Centres (UCCs) or mini-hubs in tandem with these cargo cycles, trikes, and light electric vehicles (LEVs). This triple-bottom-line solution requires a solid strategy and the proper use of tactics and collaboration to achieve success. 

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RIPPL #25: Food Justice by bike in Colorado and beyond

Denver and Boulder, two American cities about 50km apart, are nestled at the feet of the Rocky mountains in Colorado. They have plenty in common, even in terms of cycling culture; for example, both cities host regular ‘Cruiser Rides’ which look like great fun (check them out here Denver Cruiser Ride, and here Boulder Cruiser Ride).

The two cities are also home to Food Rescue organisations Denver Food Rescue and Boulder Food Rescue, both of which use volunteer-ridden bikes with trailers to collect food which would otherwise be discarded from grocery stores.

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RIPPL #20: Disaster Relief Trials: Community, Racing and Preparedness

The American Pacific Northwest sits on the Cascadia fault line, which runs north to south from Vancouver Island, Canada, past the cities of Vancouver, Seattle and Portland, before reaching northern California. The last major earthquake in the area was in 1700, but due to the nature of the fault, the next one could be very strong, with the potential to cause catastrophic levels of destruction in the area. Continue reading “RIPPL #20: Disaster Relief Trials: Community, Racing and Preparedness”