![[image] My hometown has some nice rentable cargo bikes](https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/50714107-49f5-4623-b532-b84ef67ad762.jpeg){kind=link}
I would love to see it in more cities/countries, because I use it very often. I don’t have the money to buy one for myself so the best that happend was that the city decided a few years ago to make stations where you can rent these bikes for a short shopping trip or to some nice place. They aren’t even really expensive too.
In Berlin we also have a “fleet” of cargo bikes that are even free to rent (operated by different social organizations around the city). I’ve used them several times with different models, e.g. for moving stuff or going on a trip with the big dog. :)
Oh free sounds even better, I think the city is just a bit scared that it could end up in the rhine
Yeah, the program in Berlin is being established by organizations like ADFC (German bicycle club) that are a bit smarter and optimistic about it. I’m pretty sure the city administration wouldn’t be capable of pulling off such a good system…
The fleet in berlin is run by many smaller organisations like schools or family centers. IIRC the deal is that city buys a cargo bike for the non profit and pays for a service, and in return the bike is available to anyone who wants to use it. There are limits on how long the bike can be borrowed and sometimes a security deposit is required but otherwise it’s free. I love my tax money supporting this initiative.
We could use some horny hoppers in my town…
Going by the repeated scooter fiascoes I’ve seen in downtown Dallas, I think these are trouble waiting to happen in any US city. We’re just not ready for anything nice that is also communal.
Many US cities have very successful bike share programs.
Seems like an odd choice to have the cargo in front instead of in back - are they awkward to steer?
I was surpised when I tried the first time but no, they are not awkward to steer ! It drives like a normal bike. It also feels safer to see exactly where you are puting the box with your children in it.
This is a bicarrier though (one wheel at the front). Tricarriers (two wheels at the front) don’t drive like a bike AT ALL !
Incredibly they are pretty good to steer. I thougt the same first time I tried them. Some of them also have little seats for children to sit in, I assume that is why its in the front. But I clearly did like to see my groceries while driving.
Pretty cool to hear. I can see straps that I think are meant to be seatbelts. Are they a common sight in town or do they not get as much use as they deserve?
I see them pretty often, more often I see the rentable normal bikes tho (:
Hey baby, come over here and jump in my Hörnle Hopper for a good time…