From the tree lighting in Rockefeller Center to the New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square, New York City has always been a magical place to spend the holidays.

But this year, the city won't just be magical. It'll be a little cleaner, a little quieter, and a lot more Rad. 

Under a pilot program launched earlier this month, electric cargo bikes have been given the OK to make commercial deliveries on some of Manhattan’s busiest streets.

City officials say the move will have wide-ranging environmental and economic benefits.

“New Yorkers demand immediate results -- whether that’s getting a package delivered or getting around the city,” Mayor Bill deBlasio said. “This is an exciting new program that will help cut congestion on our streets and speed up deliveries, all while reducing vehicle emissions.”

As part of our Commercial Division’s efforts to bring sustainable transportation and last-mile delivery solutions to businesses around the world, Rad Power Bikes is well represented among the newly-approved fleet -- dozens of our ebikes are delivering groceries and other items across the Big Apple.

“We have about 50 cargo bikes on the ground right now, including the RadRunner, RadCity, and RadBurro. We’re thrilled New York made the right decision," Brian Rinckenberger, the Commercial Sales Director at RPB said. "This is yet another sign that ebikes are going to be playing a huge role across so many industries in the years to come."

With Christmas around the corner, the new program couldn’t have come at a better time. There are 1.5 million packages delivered in New York on any given day, meaning that gridlock and pollution are consistently major concerns -- even without the annual holiday crunch.

“When it comes to traffic, there are few things worse than delivery-related congestion,” said Ben Kallos, a New York City Council Member who supports the program. “With a record number of packages being delivered this holiday season, we must get innovative in how we deal with distribution to avoid clogging up our streets and sidewalks.”

The pilot program is set to stay in place over the next six months, but the city's Department of Transportation has been quick to note that it will likely be extended, especially if it brings results.

Similar pilot programs in other cities, including Seattle, have been very well received, leaving some optimistic that ebikes have a definite future in New York.

"We know that companies deploying ebikes can speed up delivery times, reduce overall operating expenses, expand employer hiring pools, and lead to healthier workforces,” Rinckenberger said. “We’re confident New York will see these results citywide.”

Choosing to get around via ebike is a decision both individuals and businesses can feel good about! Check out these five ways ebikes are helping save the world.