As long as we’re talking about non-standard bikes (see my TCI Friday on tandems), what say you about cargo bikes?
I was marketing director at Bike Friday when the cargo bike craze took off like the cargo truck in Harry Chapin’s 30,000 Pounds of Bananas!
Alan Scholz designed a wonderful cargo bike, and if that wasn’t enough, Alan christened it with the delightful name: Haul-a-Day.
I dove deep into the cargo bike culture, spending endless hours in Eugene, Portland, Seattle and San Fransisco, with mothers carrying their kids, groceries, surfboards, moving furniture — you name it!
I loaded one up for an overnight camping adventure that was a blast. I even took one with electric assist to ride around the hills of Park City, Utah, and again, had a blast.
I’ve since moved to a smaller town in Oregon. And while I do travel to big cities like Salem, Eugene, Portland and Seattle, it seems to me that I don’t see as many cargo bikes as I did back then, in the heyday, of the 2010s.
This week’s question: Have you ever considered a cargo bike?
I sure have. The grocery store is not far from my house, and it’s dumb to drive there. The challenge is I live on a steep hill. No way I’m getting 4-5 grocery bags up here without a cardiac event. So I need to maybe get an eCargo bike, which means I should sell the eBike I have, which I don’t actually use, because I can’t haul stuff with it.
But yes. Cargo bike.
I have a Long Haul Trucker with two panniers standard and four if I put on the front low rider. Don’t need a cargo bike yet.
Yes! I own and use an Ahearn Cycle Truck but so far it’s only hauled my 14 pound dog and half a dozen bagels to and fro. Most of my heavy hauling is done with a converted MTB with four panniers and a B.O.B. trailer. When I commute home from my job with a load of groceries ( I work at a grocery store) I can feel the whole bike flexing from the weight. I’m seriously shopping for a bakfiets so I can up my game!