Evaluating the road environment factors underpinning cargo bike safety and ease of movement: A sustainable urban mobility plan-driven MICMAC approach

• Cargo bikes is an emerging but still understudied form of low-carbon urban freight transport. • This study examines how road environment factors impact cargo bike safety and ease of movement; prerequisites for their adoption and establishment as a mainstream solution. • Using MICMAC we ‘test’ the impact of bicycle infrastructure, streetlights, bike lane space, slopes, mixed cycling-walking environment, speed limits, traffic load, sharp turns, intersections, route length and road surface quality on cargo bikes. • Adequate bicycle infrastructure and street lighting are essential built environment factors for cargo bike operations. • Dedicated bike lanes, well-lit streets, low traffic areas, green routes, LEZs and UCCs are key policies aiding cargo bikes. The prioritisation of cargo bikes in urban settings is emerging as a critical strategy for transitioning to an era of sustainable urban freight transport, since they offer a low-carbon first- and last-mile alternative to traditional motorised logistics. This study identifies, contextualises and evaluates some of the key road environment factors influencing cargo bike safety (and thus adoption), using a robust, but still vastly underutilised in transport studies, semi-quantitative methodology, i.e., Structural Analysis-MICMAC. Through expert consultations, the research uncovers complex interdependencies among 11 factors, stressing the need for dedicated bike lanes, holistic urban logistics policies, and pro-cycling initiatives within Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs). Our findings highlight, in particular, the pivotal roles of adequate bicycle infrastructure and street lighting in encouraging cargo bike usage. The paper further aligns these factors with existing transport policies, proposing actionable recommendations like the establishment of low emission zones and urban consolidation centres. By integrating participatory methodologies with policy analysis, this work advances the understanding of cargo bikes’ urban fit and what road environment investments their broader adoption requires, so that these will contribute to the decarbonisation of our cities. Future research should explore further each of these factors to enhance decision-making frameworks for sustainable logistics planning.