Green Utopia or Urban Future? - with Inga Töller

In a nutshell: Inga Töller is Chief Growth Officer at ONOMOTION. In the podcast, she talks about urban logistics, the opportunities cargo bikes bring to delivery operations – and why our cities would be ready for change if policymakers and administrators were bolder. A conversation about real transformation, systems thinking, and the question: Who actually dares to change course?

Cities are groaning – and yet too little is happening

Töller paints a vivid picture of the strain on our city centers: congested streets, delivery vehicles parked illegally, barely any space for pedestrians and cyclists – all while parcel volumes continue to grow. "We can see that the system no longer works the way it is."

Yet despite the growing pressure, responses remain hesitant. For Töller, the problem isn't a lack of technology – it's a lack of willingness to act.

Cargo Bikes as a Real Solution – Not Just a PR Project

ONOMOTION develops cargo bikes with interchangeable transport modules, designed specifically for the urban last mile. According to Töller, numerous pilot projects have demonstrated how effective these vehicles can be – for example, in narrow historic city centers or for emission-free deliveries in low-emission zones.

"This isn't about nice projects funded by grants – it's about scalable Solutions." Cargo bikes could replace light commercial vehicles in many cases – but only if infrastructure, political support, and operational logistics work together.

Micro-Hubs: Key Interfaces with a Systemic Gap

Micro-hubs are an essential component of such systems: decentralized transfer points where parcels move from trucks onto cargo bikes. But according to Töller, many cities lack clear concepts and defined responsibilities. "Everyone knows we need them – but no one knows who is allowed to build them."

For her, this reveals the structural problem: urban logistics thinking is too fragmented, too reactive, too politically charged. What's missing is a clear systems perspective.

What Real Change Actually Requires: Courage Over Feasibility Studies

Inga Töller is clear: "Technology is not the problem – we have the Solutions." The real obstacle is political and administrative inertia. Instead of bold transformation, the lowest common denominator tends to prevail.

She advocates for "full-scale experimentation spaces" – pragmatic but genuinely serious pilot projects that also allow for long-term continuity. "Visions matter – but at some point, you have to actually implement them."

Curious? Find the full episode here: 

YouTube: https://youtu.be/-EPaC_Xl47c
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Zr3Ztf
Apple: https://apple.co/4f9NmYH

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