Transporting Heavy-Duty Technology with Ease: Media Technical Service Receives Innovative Cargo E-Bikes
An unusual vehicle is rolling around campus at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar: a four-wheeled cargo bike that looks more like a small car than your traditional bicycle. On Thursday, 20 March, the bike officially started operation with Chancellor Dr. Horst Henrici handing over the electric transport vehicle to the Media Technical Service (MTS). The e-bike will help technology to be transported between venues more easily and sustainably.
Up until now, MTS employees have been using their private vehicles to transport cameras, speakers, and other equipment to university events. The university's transport service is often at maximum capacity and many events take place in the evenings, a flexible solution was needed. The cargo e-bike was specially purchased for transporting media technology and is now being used to support sustainable transport at the university.
The model, a VOK Cargo XL, relies on an electric motor powered by pedalling. The bike’s sturdy frame provides enough space for bulky equipment and enables comfortable and environmentally friendly transport across the city. But it’s not only the MTS who will be using the bike, the university's caretakers, electricians, and the Bauhaus.Atelier will have access the bike, which should ensure it is being used to its maximum potential. The cargo bike is funded by the Service Centre for Computer Systems and Communication.
More than a Mode of Transportation
SCC employee and MTS member Steven Mehlhorn is responsible for making this unusual vehicle regularly visible on the streets of Weimar. He investigated which vehicle would be appropriate and found a dealer in Plauen who sells the bike, which is made in Estonia.
»We are really looking forward to putting the cargo bike into operation: It will allow us a lot more flexibility and is allowed in pedestrian zones, which means we don’t have to search for a parking spot. The bike is much more environmentally-friendly thanks to it being powered by electricity. The sustainability element is especially important to us and we want to make sure the bike is used as much as possible. During the test phase, we want to look at how often it’s used and if there are idle periods. We want to make it usable across other areas.«
MTS erhält E-Lastenrad
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Video: Steven Mehlhorn; Music: »The Shop« from Charles Rojas/Kennon Ward, iMovie Library
Need a cargo bike for transport in Weimar? Contact the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar StuKo’s Department for Mobility and request to borrow a bike.
Need technical support for an event and looking for support from the MTS? Visit the MTS website, were you’ll find all the information you need.