I love the idea of a cargo bike, but I think that most people would still be better off with a normal bike + a trailer and/or panniers.
Why?
Much, much more affordable.
Easier to store.
Easier to maintain a regular bike.
More flexibility.
You can take a regular bike to more places (off road, on a train, into a shop, etc.).
You can travel with a regular bike or folding bike.
It’s easier to get around with a regular bike.
But cargo bikes have their uses, especially if you’re hauling kids all the time, or your primary use is to carry cargo. I love seeing people using cargo bikes, I’m not going to lie. 🤗
Electric ones are crazy expensive. Like, “more than a car”, expensive.
If you can still find a non-electric version, and you’ve got the leg strength to move it, they are generally less than < $3000 Canadian. Not terrible, but still way more than a regular bike + extras to add cargo capacity.
The biggest problem I have is that cars are incentivized all the time, especially electric cars. But most places don’t have e-bike or cargo bike incentive rebates at all, and the ones that do are frustratingly bad.
If governments were really serious about reducing car dependency; traffic; pedestrian safety; and getting people to move more, then we should try to make it easier (more affordable) to buy these bikes.
There’s some things that frustrate me about panniers. For instance, let’s say I’m going to visit a friend, and then might do some grocery shopping on the way home. Now I need to bring my panniers, and since they’re valuable alone, I don’t want to leave them on the bike when it’s locked. So I carry them with me to visit my friend, and then have to reattach them coming back. Then, same thing bringing them into the grocery store, or it could turn out I don’t have time that day.
A cargo bike basically seems to keep more options open for a lot of trips, just like the versatility of driving around the city with a 4-person car.
There’s some things that frustrate me about panniers. For instance, let’s say I’m going to visit a friend, and then might do some grocery shopping on the way home. Now I need to bring my panniers, and since they’re valuable alone, I don’t want to leave them on the bike when it’s locked. So I carry them with me to visit my friend, and then have to reattach them coming back. Then, same thing bringing them into the grocery store, or it could turn out I don’t have time that day.
I can certainly appreciate this. There are a few ways around that, depending on your needs.
For example, a front basket (either permanent or detachable) might work in that scenario. A pannier backpack is also another option to consider. More outside the box would be a packable/stuffable backpack, which could fit in your pocket and open to a full size (albeit, thin) backpack. For some basic grocery stuff, it would work.
I like to bring the Arkel Metropolitan if I’m going to be somewhere, and I might need to run some errands afterwards. It’s a stylish bag that doubles as a functional pannier. It can expand if needed, but the size is smaller than a messenger bag if left as-is.
The Burley Travoy is yet another option if you need a trailer, but also need to be able to take it with you off the bike (either folded or as a handcart). This has been one of my favorite bike things over the last two months.
I do plan my bike trips so I know what gear to bring, but I’ve been in situations where I’ve been over (and under) geared, so I do appreciate that these things happen.
A cargo bike basically seems to keep more options open for a lot of trips, just like the versatility of driving around the city with a 4-person car.
Absolutely, but to me, it’s like driving around to visit friends in a large pick-up truck “just in case” you need it to run to the Home Depot for 500lbs of lumber.
If I had a cargo bike, I’d probably only take it around if I knew for certain that I would need the carrying capacity. Pretty much the same as leaving the panniers and bike trailer at home unless I know I’m going to need them.
I love the idea of a cargo bike, but I think that most people would still be better off with a normal bike + a trailer and/or panniers.
Why?
But cargo bikes have their uses, especially if you’re hauling kids all the time, or your primary use is to carry cargo. I love seeing people using cargo bikes, I’m not going to lie. 🤗
Cargo bikes are nice…but man they are not affordable for the average Joe.
Electric ones are crazy expensive. Like, “more than a car”, expensive.
If you can still find a non-electric version, and you’ve got the leg strength to move it, they are generally less than < $3000 Canadian. Not terrible, but still way more than a regular bike + extras to add cargo capacity.
The biggest problem I have is that cars are incentivized all the time, especially electric cars. But most places don’t have e-bike or cargo bike incentive rebates at all, and the ones that do are frustratingly bad.
If governments were really serious about reducing car dependency; traffic; pedestrian safety; and getting people to move more, then we should try to make it easier (more affordable) to buy these bikes.
There’s some things that frustrate me about panniers. For instance, let’s say I’m going to visit a friend, and then might do some grocery shopping on the way home. Now I need to bring my panniers, and since they’re valuable alone, I don’t want to leave them on the bike when it’s locked. So I carry them with me to visit my friend, and then have to reattach them coming back. Then, same thing bringing them into the grocery store, or it could turn out I don’t have time that day.
A cargo bike basically seems to keep more options open for a lot of trips, just like the versatility of driving around the city with a 4-person car.
I can certainly appreciate this. There are a few ways around that, depending on your needs.
For example, a front basket (either permanent or detachable) might work in that scenario. A pannier backpack is also another option to consider. More outside the box would be a packable/stuffable backpack, which could fit in your pocket and open to a full size (albeit, thin) backpack. For some basic grocery stuff, it would work.
I like to bring the Arkel Metropolitan if I’m going to be somewhere, and I might need to run some errands afterwards. It’s a stylish bag that doubles as a functional pannier. It can expand if needed, but the size is smaller than a messenger bag if left as-is.
The Burley Travoy is yet another option if you need a trailer, but also need to be able to take it with you off the bike (either folded or as a handcart). This has been one of my favorite bike things over the last two months.
I do plan my bike trips so I know what gear to bring, but I’ve been in situations where I’ve been over (and under) geared, so I do appreciate that these things happen.
Absolutely, but to me, it’s like driving around to visit friends in a large pick-up truck “just in case” you need it to run to the Home Depot for 500lbs of lumber.
If I had a cargo bike, I’d probably only take it around if I knew for certain that I would need the carrying capacity. Pretty much the same as leaving the panniers and bike trailer at home unless I know I’m going to need them.