On April 2, 2019, to mark the arrival of the European program promoting utility bicycles, “The City Changer Cargo Bike,” VUF exceptionally opened the doors of its production plant in Mauléon-Licharre (Nouvelle Aquitaine).
VUF, an acronym for “VÉLO UTILITAIRE FRANÇAIS,” is a three-wheeled, electrically assisted utility bicycle. A robust, compact, modular, and connected electric assistant, it is specifically designed for transporting large loads and volumes in urban, industrial, and off-road environments. The result of a two-year pilot project, VUF is positioning itself as a coherent alternative to utility vehicles, a source of nuisance that congests city centers.A strategic industrial approach VUF has established its manufacturing and assembly unit within the plant of its partner, the LOPHITZ Group, an aeronautics manufacturer. The goal is to transpose the processes and requirements of aeronautics to the world of bicycles and, above all, to maintain 100% French manufacturing.A unique industrial tool in the world of utility bicycles
On the occasion of the arrival in France of the
City Changer Cargo Bike
, VUF welcomed the 20 members of this European project to its Mauléon-Licharre factory on April 2nd. They also welcomed numerous institutional representatives such as Bernard Uthurry (1st Vice-President of Nouvelle Aquitaine), Michel Assouline (Director of the Toulouse GreenTech Incubator), and representatives from ADEME, DREAL, the Basque Country Mobility Union, and the Soule Community of Communes.
The objective of the visit, and more broadly of the April 2nd meeting, was to showcase a unique industrial tool in the world of utility bikes. The goal was also to present the various applications of the VUF concept (delivery, maintenance, crafts, waste management, passenger transport). It also aimed to position VUF on the European utility bike scene. The City Changer Cargo Bike (CCCB) is a European project integrated into the Horizon 2020 program. It brings together a team of 20 partners from Norway to Greece, the United Kingdom to Bulgaria. The main mission is to raise awareness and support the adoption of initiatives related to freight and cargo bikes.ObjectivesTheir objectives: to offer more sustainable logistics operations,
improve public spaces,
engage citizens, and reduce traffic congestion. Drawing on best practices in Europe, the initiative also aims to install utility bikes in European cities by developing new financing mechanisms and offering the opportunity to test utility bikes.
VUF Presentation
Michel Assouline meets VUF
- Article written by Michel Assouline
