Seattle bets on e-cargo bikes for deliveries

Catch up quick: The Seattle City Council cleared the way in September by recognizing commercial e-cargo bikes as legal vehicles and giving SDOT authority to permit curbside parking.

How it works: Businesses that want to park e-cargo bikes in designated curb zones or operate larger bike types must apply for a free permit.

• Zero-emission cargo bikes are designed to carry up to 1,000 pounds and can include flatbed, refrigerated and enclosed models, per the city.

By the numbers: E-cargo bikes can make deliveries up to 60% faster than delivery vans in urban areas and are estimated to be 40% cheaper to buy and operate than internal combustion engine vehicles, SDOT says.

What's next: SDOT plans to promote the program through business groups and fine-tune curbside rules as more companies roll into the system.