Table of Contents
icture this: you have two ing, or stop doing so once infrastructure, more and more young kids that you’re they have children or get a job people are beginning to view P picking up at school, one that requires travel with cargo bicycling as a feasible option of them is bringing a friend over, because they simply don’t see for their daily commute. As the school is 3 miles from your bike commuting as a feasi such, cargo bikes have seen a place, the kids have backpacks, ble option for their specific small surge in popularity, and and you need to get groceries circumstance. “Great for college an even bigger surge in interest on the way home. Or maybe students, maybe, but it won’t as people explore their options this: you work in the trades, you work for my lifestyle.” for bike commuting with kids, bring tools to work every day, While much of that hesita careers, and the general load you have to travel a lot between tion is rooted in the prevailing bearing responsibilities that jobs, and you live and work in a North American attitude that accompany adulthood. hilly area. What do you do? views cars as the best (or only) To give a gentle nudge in If you’re anything like most transportation option, there are the bike direction, we’ve put North Americans, you get in many people who would like together a guide to cargo bikes your car. Unfortunately, the to commute by bike but simply for North Americans to get you vast majority of people on aren’t aware of their options. started. this continent either refrain However, as our cities invest from regular bike commut more heavily in safe cycling - Momentum Mag Team
3 4 5 7
Why You Want History of Types of How to Ride a Cargo Bike Cargo Bikes Cargo Bikes a Cargo Bike
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How to Buy The Cargo Bike Bike Friday, Cargo Bike a Cargo Bike Life (Story) Made in America Companies
COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY HILARY ANGUS + DESIGNED BY YUVAL BURTON
MOMENTUMMAG.COM 2 Why You Want a Cargo Bike
WRITTEN BY HILARY ANGUS + PHOTO BY BEN JOHNSON
hile your trusty old lobsters, you’ll probably be alright commuter bicycle enables with the cargo bike. W you to replace a car for Cargo bikes are, in essence, a the majority of trips you’ll take in workhorse that you don’t have to a day, a cargo bike enables you to feed. They enable the transpor step up your game and leave the tation of many more pounds of car at home for basically every local goods than you could possibly carry trip. Traveling with kids? Gardening on a regular bicycle, with much equipment? Tools? Kids, gardening more economic and environmen equipment, and tools? No prob tal efficiency than you get from a lem, your cargo bike can handle car. They’re your family vehicle, it. While we’ll concede defeat and your work truck, your moving van, admit that they can’t hold literally your party bus. They’re everything everything, unless you’re carting you would need a car for, but around 25 ft steel beams, a ship much more affordable, much more ment of livestock, or 250 lbs of live sustainable, and much more fun.
MOMENTUMMAG.COM 3 A Brief History of Cargo Bikes
WRITTEN BY HILARY ANGUS
argo bikes originated in tially the equivalent of a modern- the cycle truck. These days, many The Netherlands in the day cycle truck, and although the North Americans have never even C early 20 century, where name would suggest otherwise, it heard of a bicycle with significant they were used by tradesmen to was actually postmen who had the carrying capacity. deliver milk, bread, and other largest fleets of cycle trucks. Only with the recent trend goods in the absence of the The British trend spread to the US, towards high-density urbanism automobile. By the 1930s, the where Schwinn produced the original have we seen a resurgence of inter phenomenon had spread across American “cycle truck,” in 1939. At is est in cargo bikes on this side of Scandinavia. In Copenhagen, peak of popularity during WWII, the the pond. Homegrown innovation Denmark, bike messengers called Schwinn cycle truck sold over 10,000 by Xtracycle has seen the devel svajeres carted goods all around units in one year. opment of the long- and midtail the city, and nearly every company While cargo bikes have style cargo bike, with a number owned at least one cargo bike to remained immensely popular for of North American manufacturers handle their deliveries. carting everything from kids to following suit. But like regular Around the same time in the couches in parts of Europe, Asia, bicycles, many cargo bike designs UK, deliveries were being made by and Africa, their use waned consid remain remarkably similar to their “butcher’s bike,” a light-capacity erably in North America when original turn-of-the-century struc cargo bike with a rack mounted mass marketing of the private tures, with a few modern upgrades. to the frame over the front wheel. automobile began in earnest. By The Butcher’s Bikes were essen 1969, Schwinn had discontinued
MOMENTUMMAG.COM 4 PHOTO COURTESY OF CHICCODODIFC/SHUTTERSTOCK Types of Cargo Bikes
WRITTEN BY HILARY ANGUS + ILLUSTRATIONS BY ROBERT HIGDON
A cargo bike is essentially any bicycle, tricycle or pedal-powered four-wheeler which was designed specifically to carry a load – large or small. In its simplest form, a cargo bike can be a bike with a built-in, reinforced front basket for heavier-than-normal daily transportation needs. In its most complex, it could be an electric-assist box trike with refrigeration capabilities. While these days, the variations of cargo bikes on the market create a bit of crossover between the categories, most cargo bikes fit roughly into the following seven types:
UTILITY BIKES CYCLE TRUCK Utility bikes are built with a traditional wheel- Cycle trucks have the same overall size of a base, but with reinforced frames that enable standard city bike, but they have a smaller them to carry larger loads than a standard front wheel (typically 20” compared to a bicycle. They often have metal front baskets 26” rear), with a front rack affixed to the and/or back racks built onto the frame, and frame over the wheel. The rack either has a are designed to be nimble and easier to ride box mounted to it, or has mounting options than larger cargo bikes while still maintaining for when you need the box, and space for considerable carrying capacity. when you don’t.
LONGTAIL Longtails have an extra-long wheelbase at the back, which accommodates an extended, built-in deck to carry cargo or children. Long- tails typically come with open-top panniers to hold cargo at the sides, have hooks for webbing to secure cargo on top, and have options for handles or backrests to transport children. Many newer models of longtail have a smaller rear wheel (20” compared to 26” at the front) for a lower center of gravity and better handling. MIDTAILS You could think of a midtail as a “Longtail-lite.” Rather than an extra-long wheelbase at the rear, they simply have the rear wheel set back a bit from the seatpost to allow your feet to turn the pedals without getting caught on your cargo. They have the same built-in cargo deck for transporting materials or children, with options for panniers, child seats, and webbing. The advantage of the midtail is easier lifting and storage, and if you’re not constantly transporting around a ton of cargo, they look and feel much like a regular bicycle.
BAKFIETSEN/BOX BIKES CARGO TRICYCLES/RICKSHAWS Bakfietsen (singular: bakfiets) were developed in Tricycles or Cycle Rickshaws feature an elongated the Netherlands in the late 19th century. They were frame with two wheels at the back for added originally a three-wheeler, with a wooden box at stability, with a cargo platform or seat between the front between the two parallel wheels. Today, them. They can be adapted to accommodate the term bakfiets is used to refer to two-wheeled other requirements, such as refrigeration boxes, for box bikes as well, but we’ll get to that in a minute. use as work vehicles. Cycle rickshaws are common Many bakfietsen have seats and seatbelts built into in parts of Asia and Africa as bike taxis, and are the box for transporting children, and they almost becoming increasingly popular for tourism and always have a perfectly upright riding posture. last-mile delivery in Europe and North America.
LONG JOHNS Long Johns were developed in Denmark in the early 20th century. They have an extraordi- narily long wheelbase at the front and a smaller front wheel, with the cargo area or an attached wooden basket sitting low to the ground between the handlebars and front wheel. In modern parlance, Long Johns are often lumped into the bakfiets category due to the box, but its original structure is quite different than the traditional three-wheeled bakfiets. How to Ride a Cargo Bike
WRITTEN BY HILARY ANGUS + PHOTO BY DAVID NIDDRIE
earning to ride a cargo bike and eventually you’ll develop If you’re a particularly varies in difficulty depending confidence on the bike and small-statured person, not all L on the type, the terrain, and balance will no longer be an issue. models will work for you. Look your stature. Longtail cargo bikes With any model of cargo bike, out for bikes with a low center of are by far the easiest to ride, and it’s when it’s loaded with cargo gravity such as Bike Fridays, Yubas loaded up with less than 50 lbs that you’ll feel the real difference. and some bakfiet models. should feel little different than a Whichever type you go with, When you’re loading up your regular upright bicycle. the best approach will always be cargo, keep weight distribution For a Long John-style bakfiet or to take your bike for a few rides in mind as it will have an impact any form of front-loader, you may on quiet streets, empty of cargo. on the way you ride. Keep heavier need to do some work in re-learn Get a feel for the new width or items towards the bottom of your ing how to balance in a straight length, as you’ll have to develop box or bags, and do the best you line, as the extended steering a new sense of spatial awareness can to evenly distribute weight on tends to make you overcom for your increased size. Slowly add either side of the bike. As a general pensate for small imbalances by weight and practice turning, stop rule no matter your stature, the sharply turning the front wheel. ping, starting, and riding uphill lower the center of gravity, the Keep your eyes on the horizon before you get into traffic. easier the bike will be to ride. rather than on the front wheel,
MOMENTUMMAG.COM 7 How to Buy a Cargo Bike
WRITTEN BY HILARY ANGUS + PHOTO BY RICHARD MASONER
here are a few things to structure where you’re able to take and trikes cannot be lifted by one consider now that we’ve up space on the road. If you don’t, person or regularly carried down T convinced you to buy a a mid or longtail might be a better stairs, so you’ll need a secure, cargo bike, the most important choice. Trikes are a great option groundfloor storage option to of which is the type of bike itself. for businesses as they can be easily consider those types of bike. Even While all cargo bikes are good for retrofitted to suit your particular longtails are quite heavy, and carrying things, different types needs, but unless you need refriger carrying them up more than a have considerably variant benefits ation capabilities, a bench seat, or couple stairs will get very tiresome depending on what you’re plan some serious hauling capacity, you very quickly. When considering ning to carry and where. A few may be okay with a less expensive any cargo bike, ensure you have things to keep in mind: bakfiets or even a cycle truck. Take an accessible, secure, dry place the time to consider the size, shape, to store it so it lasts as long as it’s Use and Infrastructure and weatherresistance of your designed to. Consider what you’re most likely expected cargo, and don’t be afraid Maintenance to be carrying around, the kinds of to ask questions at your bike shop roads you’ll be riding on, and if you or of other cargo bike commuters & Breakdowns expect those needs to change signifi before you make your choice. Routine or emergency mainte cantly over time. Bakfietsen and nance isn’t as straightforward with longtails are great for transporting Storage cargo bikes as it is with normal kids and groceries, but the bakfiets Storage is a big one for cargo bicycles. Many cargo bikes feature may not be a practical choice unless bikes, which are both heavy and unique steering linkages, long you have dedicated cycling infra attractive to thieves. Box bikes chains or internal hubs that make
MOMENTUMMAG.COM 8 home care difficult for non-me tric cargo bikes only have pedal 8020 are able to get around the chanics, and emergency roadside assist, while others also have a frame of the bike while maintaining repair nearly impossible. Expect throttle. If you frequently get some serious anti-theft capability. to spend a bit of extra time under stopped at a busy intersection A frame lock as a secondary lock standing how your bike works, halfway up the hill to your house, would be a wise investment as well. and a bit more money than usual going the throttle route might be Nearly every cargo bike comes in maintenance if you’re used to the best way to get what you need with a kickstand, but make sure doing your own work. With some out of the upgrade. your choice has a double kickstand cargo bikes, replacing a flat at the or the option to upgrade to one, roadside can be prohibitively diffi Price and get the upgrade. If it’s loaded cult, so have a backup plan such Know that you’re going to with a cargo on a single kickstand, as a phone number for a local spend between $1,200 – $6,000 you can bet it’s going to fall over. hauling agency in case you run USD. If you budget $2,500 USD into trouble. for the bike, you’ll have a good Availability range to choose from and will be Wide distribution of cargo Electric Assist able to find something that fits bikes at independent retailers Electric Assist cargo bikes do your needs. Budget an additional in North America is nascent. tend to produce a bit of a shudder $150 – $300 USD for rain covers Yuba is the most widely available when you first see the price tag. and fenders if you want to equip cargo bike on the continent, But if you live in a hilly area or your bike for we weather. but don’t discount any of the regularly travel with a lot of gear, other brands simply because the e-assist could be the difference Accessories they’re not in your local shop. between whether you adopt cargo Since you paid a pretty penny for Shop around online and make biking into your regular routine, the bike, the last thing you want is your choice, then check with the or relegate the thing to a life for it to get stolen. Having a secure company to see if they could collecting dust in the garage as a lock is a must. Large, flexible locks deliver the bike for assembly at brief but failed experiment. Once such as the Abus Bordo Granit your local bike shop. you decide on e-assist, you can X-Plus 6500 or the OnGuard look at your options. Some elec
MOMENTUMMAG.COM 9 The Family Cargo Bike Lifestyle
WRITTEN BY HILARY ANGUS + PHOTO BY GWENDAL CASTELLAN
argo bikes are expensive, and riding around in them since each kid and their bicycle. Storage can the price can understandably was six weeks old. Weekend trips be an issue, and Lo admits to miss C be a deterrent for anyone to the beach, grocery runs to the ing the occasional ability to be lazy. considering purchasing one. But farmer’s market, transporting the “On those rainy days I wish I had a just as many people buy a bicycle kids to activities, and even the car for a second, and then I remind instead of a bus pass, cargo bikes odd bike camping trip are all done myself how ridiculous that is, should be viewed not as a hobby on two wheels. considering I’m only taking them 3 or a luxury, but as a transportation As for how the kids feel about it? blocks to be dropped off at daycare lifestyle choice that replaces the “They love it!” Lo exclaims. “They or the school bus.” need for a family vehicle. get to yammer on and sing and take On occasions they do need a “It’s a real commitment to buy a in the sights. It’s great for having car, such as heading up the moun cargo bike, but I don’t think they conversations with them en route tains for a hike or transporting are too expensive,” says Tania Lo through the city, and they can also unwieldy objects, Lo and Castel who, together with her husband fall asleep and snack...And now the lan just grab a co-op car from the and two young children, has been kids see that biking and walking is local car share. cargo biking since 2008. “I just 90% of the way we get around. It Even with the price tag, Lo is think that kind of investment takes just changes their experience that adamant that the benfits of cargo some serious commitment, but in they will build on in the future.” biking far outweigh any of its the long run is worth it if you are a Like anything, cargo biking with inconveinvies. “The fact that you car light family.” kids is not without its challenges. can go anywhere and get rockstar Lo and her husband Gwendal Now that the kids are getting too parking...And I love that people each use cargo bikes to ferry mate big to both fit on one bike, but too are always smiling at you when rials to and from their respective small to ride solo for long distances, pass them on a cargo bike,” she jobs, and their two children, now Lo and Castellan are sometimes left says. “The things you can do with aged 4 and 6 years old, have been with the task of pedaling home a a cargo bike are endless.”
MOMENTUMMAG.COM 10 PAID ADVERTISING FEATURE
orty years ago, Alan Scholz bicycles to build a healthier world. available. It can be custom-built with built a simple child bicycle All of the Bike Friday bikes are a choice of 14 colors, gears from trailer, the Burley, with built by hand in their factory in 8-72 speeds, a range of handlebars, the aim of enabling more Eugene, Oregon. They are fit to and other options. Unlike most people to gain the many the size, shape, and lifestyle of cargo bikes, the Haul-a-Day can benefits of an active family life each individual customer, because be broken down into three pieces style. They had grown up on bikes, a bike that fits is a bike that will for travel and fits on many vehicle and wanted to share their passion be ridden every day. transport racks. with the wider community. The Scholz family has designed a The Bike Friday team passionately Building on the success of number of high performance bikes, supports the growth of sustainable the Burley trailer, brother Hanz including a Pocket bike series, the communities and healthy lifestyles, Scholz joined Alan to continue Family Tandem, and the Tikit. and actively supports that mission to innovate new ways to integrate Their flagship model, the Haul-a- through the development of bicycling into their lives and the Day, is the lightest cargo bike on well-fitting, versatile and high lives of those around them. With the market, at just 33 lbs (15kg). performance bicycles for conscious that, Bike Friday was born. Bike The frame adjusts to fit riders 4’ to human-scale lifestyles. Friday is driven by a vision of a 6’7”, and has a rider limit of 220 lbs To learn more, call 1-800-777-0258 healthy, connected world. One (100 kg) with a 200 lb (90 kg) cargo that sees the power inherent in limit, with a heavier load upgrade BIKEFRIDAY.COM every person, and the enormous potential that lies in a simple, elegant, and wholly remarkable machine: the bicycle. Twenty-three years later, Hanna Scholz (the original Burley trailer baby) is leading the company for the next generation. Guided by the same founding principles of a commitment to community health and a human scale lifestyle, the good folks at Bike Friday make The Haul-a-Day Live outside the BOX!
Cargo bike features:
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