Cyklodepo in Prague: After Florence, there is now a new one in Smíchov
“We are expanding the offer of ecological delivery to the historic center and to the left bank of the Vltava,” says Deputy Mayor Adam Scheinherr (Prague to himself). The project inspired the unexpected success of the cyclodep in Florence. In one year of operation, 70 shipments were distributed, couriers covered more than 30,000 kilometers. The new angelic cyclodepo grew up under the city ring instead of the rarely used parking lot.
“The companies that wanted to get involved in the project didn’t even fit in Florence,The deputy mayor continues. There are currently seven of them on Angel. Another company will join after the New Year. “But I think there’s still room for more.” The companies in the two depots are partly different.
Continuous operation
The city does not organize the depot, it only provides facilities – a place for couriers, sanitary facilities and security. “The logistics organization itself is arranged by the companies themselves. Only in the beginning did we provide the know-how we have gathered around the world. ” adds Adam Scheinherr.
The depot should be in permanent operation. This is not a temporary project. Both Florence and the Angel have a strategic location in which the place is easily accessible for deliveries without burdening the residential part of the city with emissions or noise. In addition, both depots cover the left and right banks of the Vltava with their delivery. Companies pay rent in the order of thousands of crowns for the use of the cargo depot. In this way, they repay the city with the initial investment and operating costs.
Cheap but priceless
“Maybe it’s a small space under the bridge, but an important place for Prague,” praises Ondřej Boháč, director of the Institute of Planning and Development of the Capital City of Prague m Prague (IPR). Construction interventions for the redesign of the parking lot in the depot were minimal. “It simply came to our notice then connection of engineering networks – water, electricity and sewerage, “says the deputy mayor.
The total cost of setting up the depot is in the tens of thousands of crowns. Adam Scheinherr estimates the price at two hundred thousand crowns. Companies pay rent, the operation of the facilities will be sustainable and without losses. However, the potential is huge. “Up to 75% of all shipments can be delivered within the city using cargo bikes,” concludes Adam Scheinherr.
The grand opening of the gate to the Anděl cycle board Jan Dařílek
Cyklodepo na Anděl is located below the Prague ring road on the corner of Kartouzská and Plzeňská streets
Author: Jan Dařílek