Logistics company Omniva has received its first five electric Vok cargo bikes and plans to expand the fleet to provide sustainable postal services in Estonia.
The maximum speed of a Vok bike is 25km/h and it can travel up to 100km before having to recharge. For convenience, the bike has a windshield and roof to protect the rider from bad weather. A cargo container at the back of the bike enables the transport of periodicals and letters in a volume that would be impossible with a regular bicycle.
The electric bikes are to be used in Tallinn, Tartu, Jõgeva, Haapsalu, Kuressaare and Pärnu. The implementation follows a trial period in 2021, when Omniva commissioned its first electric cargo bike in Tallinn. The company found that, compared with completing a postal route on foot, an electric bike enables the rider to serve 15% more customers. In addition, the cargo bike is excellent for areas that are hard to reach by car. The same traffic rules and safety requirements apply to electric bikes as to all road users on bicycles.
Kristi Unt, a member of the management board of Omniva, said, “We have decided to focus on providing our services in an environmentally friendly manner and are taking gradual steps toward this goal. This spring and summer, couriers are going to deliver shipments on 15 new electric bikes in various regions of Estonia. Vok bikes are fast, efficient and well suited for providing our postal services in densely populated areas. We are planning to expand the use of electric bicycles in the future.
“Electric bikes are another step by Omniva to provide services in a manner that supports a green living environment. The company is already using solar panels in its center of logistics at Rukki Street, and starting in March, new electric cars have been used in several locations in Estonia for providing postal services.”
Jaan Lisitski, head of logistics and transport at Omniva, added, “The initial experience of using an electric bike for providing services in a densely populated area is positive, so we decided to introduce the bikes gradually – first in cities, but later perhaps also in smaller cities and towns. The advantage of using a bike in densely populated areas with a lot of traffic is the ease and convenience of access to buildings, and maneuverability. Our couriers are enthusiastic about using electrical cargo bikes, so there is no shortage of willing users.”