Cargoroo

Cargoroo operates as a technology-driven mobility company, providing app-based access to a fleet of shared electric cargo bikes in urban environments. The company was founded in Amsterdam in 2017 by Erik de Winter, Jaron Borensztajn, and Jelle Maijer. The founding concept stemmed from the founders' personal experiences; Borensztajn, a father of three, and Maijer, a restaurant owner, both recognized the practical advantages of e-cargo bikes for city life.

The company's business model centers on pay-per-use rentals, charging by the minute or hour, targeting families with children, shoppers, students, and small businesses needing to transport goods. Users locate, reserve, and unlock the distinctive yellow bikes via a mobile application available for iOS and Android. The service is designed as an alternative to car ownership for urban trips, with bikes placed at fixed, designated locations to ensure availability and easy returns. The e-cargo bikes, primarily Urban Arrow models, feature a large front box, seatbelts for children, and in some cases, Maxi-Cosi adapters, with a battery range of approximately 80-100 kilometers.

Cargoroo initiated its service with a pilot project in Haarlem, Netherlands, after facing policy-related delays in Amsterdam. A significant milestone was winning the silver European Startup Prize for Mobility in 2019. The company has secured multiple funding rounds, including a notable €10 million investment in December 2022 from The Sharing Group, Participatiefonds Duurzame Economie Noord-Holland (PDENH), and existing investor Fairtree Elevant Ventures. This capital was aimed at expanding its fleet, which numbered over 700 bikes at the time, and scaling operations across Europe. Cargoroo has operated in numerous cities, including Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, and Eindhoven in the Netherlands, as well as international locations like Antwerp, Berlin, Manchester, and Lyon. In December 2024, the company was declared bankrupt. However, as of August 2025, MOBY Bikes has announced plans to revive the Cargoroo service in Utrecht and The Hague.

Keywords: shared mobility, electric cargo bikes, urban logistics, bike sharing, last-mile delivery, sustainable transport, mobility-as-a-service, micro-mobility, pay-per-use rental, bakfiets, family transport, city logistics, app-based rental, e-mobility, car replacement, Urban Arrow, smart mobility, bike rental platform, green transport, urban delivery solutions