Night after night
Newspaper delivery in Berlin
When Berlin Sleeps: 55 XCYC Cargo E-Bikes Deliver Newspapers at Night
Since spring 2025, 55 specially equipped e-cargo bikes have been on the road night after night in Berlin.
They deliver newspapers to readers within a tight time window. The project demonstrates how a cargo e-bike turns into a tailored solution for a specific logistics task.
The Project at a Glance
Many Stops. Short Distances. A Tight Time Window.
When most people in Berlin are sleeping, the workday is already beginning for others. Night after night, newspapers must reach readers within a tight time window. There are many stops, short distances, and large volumes, and delivery takes place in almost any weather. Nighttime newspaper delivery places special demands on both rider and vehicle.
To meet this challenge, 55 specially equipped e-cargo bikes have been in operation since spring 2025. For isicargo GmbH, the project is particularly exciting because it shows what becomes possible when you don’t stop thinking at the vehicle itself when it comes to commercial cargo bikes. A good cargo bike alone does not yet make a good logistics solution.
XCYC Allround with a Custom Body for Newspaper Delivery
isicargo chose the XCYC Allround from YouMo as the vehicle base. The starting point was the specific task at hand: How much transport volume is required? How can the load be protected from the weather? And how can delivery personnel access the newspapers quickly along the route?
Based on these requirements, a custom transport solution was developed featuring large-volume boxes and matching covers. The boxes provide ample space for the newspapers. The covers protect the load, serve as a shelf, and allow fast access.
The XCYC Allround forms the robust vehicle base. The body, equipment, and service complement it to create a complete solution for daily use.
Multiple Specialists, One Solution
At this stage, a cargo bike became a joint project. Das Rote Pferd from Berlin and HiveBox from Cologne contributed their expertise in developing and manufacturing custom bodies for cargo bikes. This is complemented by ongoing service for the fleet.
- isicargo GmbH: Complete solution for commercial cargo bikes, project management
- YouMo Vehicle Base: XCYC Allround
- Das Rote Pferd, Berlin & HypaBox, Cologne: Development and manufacturing of custom bodies
- Business auf Rädern GmbH: Ongoing service for the 55 bikes since 2025
The result is a solution where the vehicle, body, equipment, and service are aligned with real daily operations.
What the Solution Delivers in Daily Operations
- Large-volume transport boxes offer the space required for newspaper delivery.
- Covers protect the load from weather, serve as a shelf, and enable fast access.
- The e-bike provides a robust base for daily use, night after night.
Subsidies for your cargo e-bike
Legal details: e-bike regulations
Frequently Asked Questions About Newspaper Delivery with the XCYC Allround
Which XCYC model is being used in Berlin?
The 55 vehicles are based on the XCYC Allround. Custom transport bodies were developed specifically for newspaper delivery. You can find an overview of the model family under XCYC Cargo E-Bikes.
Discover the full model range under XCYC Cargo E-Bikes.
Why were custom transport boxes developed?
Delivery demands high cargo capacity, weather protection, and quick access at frequent stops. The boxes and covers were specifically tailored to these requirements.
What needs to be planned for a dedicated delivery fleet?
Key factors to consider include transport volume, routes, loading, cargo access, and ongoing service. Helpful fundamentals can be found in our guide on loading and payload and in the XCYC FAQs.
Planning your load correctly
Planning your load correctly
How much can it really carry, and how do you distribute the load correctly? The practical guide for maximum payload without compromises.
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Read now →XCYC cargo e-bike: areas of use
Ready to Make Your Deliveries More Efficient?
Whether newspapers, courier routes, or other last-mile transport: We’ll show you which XCYC Cargo E-Bike and which bodies fit your daily workload.
XCYC enquiry
Tell us what you need a cargo e-bike for and we will be happy to advise you.