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

Night after night

Newspaper delivery in Berlin

Fleet

55 cargo e-bikes

XCYC Allround

as the vehicle base

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.

The cover protects the load from the weather while simultaneously serving as a shelf.

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.

Each bike has its own number and a digital Bike Code.
Boxen und Abdeckungen sind auf die Zustellung abgestimmt.

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Newspaper Delivery with the XCYC Allround

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.

Delivery demands high cargo capacity, weather protection, and quick access at frequent stops. The boxes and covers were specifically tailored to these requirements.

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.

Read now →

XCYC vs. traditional delivery vehicles

Faster in city traffic, cheaper to maintain, more flexible in use: the direct comparison with vans and cars.

Read now →

Agility in everyday use

Where cars reach their limits, the XCYC just keeps going. A look at the small turning radius in real-world use.

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.