a.Define EU-wide occupational requirements for LMD bike-based operators, building on the ESCO skills chart. This update was urgently needed to reflect the evolving role of bike couriers, addressing trends in green skills, safety, non-violent communication, and environmental awareness. b. In collaboration with CEP sectors and training institutions, design a tailored vocational curriculum and educational resources for students and trainers. The goal was to develop a curriculum that is adaptable to national non-formal training systems, compact, accessible, self-paced, and available in multiple languages. c.Launch and pilot the training delivery methods broadly, then refine them with stakeholders to ensure ownership and local relevance. This approach maximized the reach of the pedagogical resources through a Virtual Open Online Course (VOOC). d. In collaboration with CEP, education, political sectors, and industry representatives (CIE) and the ESCO committee, SAFE LMD aimed to initiate the recognition and validation of new skills for LMD cyclists and facilitate their integration into certification schemes at both national and EU levels. This approach ensured aligning with evolving market needs, EUpolicy&“European Bicycle Declaration”
The continuous growth of e-commerce, initially accelerated by the COVID-19 and later adopted as a lifestyle, has intensified the pressure on Last Mile Deliveries (LMDs), exposing inefficiencies in the courier and postal (CEP) sectors on the one hand, and leading to the emergence of the so-called "platform economy" linked to food delivery. As a result, there is a pressing and immediate need to rapidly train and deploy a skilled workforce to address these challenges in urban contexts across Europe. Social and corporate responsibility is a significant challenge for this fast-growing sector, where CEP operators are under pressure to contribute to environmental and social sustainability of their operations, addressing critical issues (air pollution, traffic , road safety). To meet these challenges, many companies are transitioning to deliveries based on conventional /electric (cargo) bikes, for short-distance urban logistics. This shift aligns with the EU Green Deal and national strategies aimed at creating zero-carbon cities. Bike-based deliveries not only support environmental goals but also enhance customer satisfaction and service quality. Despite this momentum, disparities across Europe remain due to insufficient awareness.