A nice article in last Thursday’s Mainland Press (on the cover no less), highlighting the usefulness of cargo bikes of varying styles around Christchurch.
I remember reading an article a couple of years ago where local property tycoon Antony Gough, in decrying car-parking restrictions in the city, said “I’ve never seen anyone carry home a fridge on a bicycle yet”. Now I’ve never seen many people take home fridges in their cars either (isn’t that what delivery trucks are for?), but I suspect that many of the modern-day cargo bikes would definitely give that fridge a fair crack. And they’re certainly suited to many smaller items that we might like to transport, such as groceries, boxes and even other people.
The group pictured features a number of pioneers for cargo bikes in this city:
- Cycling in Chch’s own Steven Muir has been promoting the use of cycle trailers and other cargo accessories for a number of years now; his website also provides advice on how to make them yourself.
- UC PhD geography student Jane Pearce is investigating the role that cargo bikes can play to substitute traditional car-based trips in New Zealand. As well as local interviews of existing/prospective users, she has also investigated how they have been adopted in other places, such as Portland, Oregon.
- Local courier Jeremy Teague uses a cargo bike for deliveries around town as part of his Energy Messengers courier service.
The article also refers to the CHOCBAR cargo bike ride that was meant to be held today (and featured earlier on this blog). Unfortunately the continuing bad weather has postponed things now to Sat 11th May.
It’s slowly happening, but more and more people in Chch are appreciating the carrying power of properly designed cargo bikes and trailers.
Have you been tempted to get yourself a cargo bike?
Build details of my bike are available on my blog. Felixcollins.com
Publicity such as this compliments the resurgence of the “cycle movement ” in the city nicely . There is nothing more heartwarming than seeing an entire family getting themselves around the city by bike . Not being too much of a handyman I bought a phillips cargo trailer 3 years ago as our vegetable garden is a 10 minute walk from our house . Using a car for carrying larger items such a short distance seemed ludicrous . The investment made has been well paid back , and means 6 to 8 less car journeys each week .
Maybe someone should point Mr Gough to a picture on http://cycletrailers.co.nz/html/gallery_2.html looks like a fridge to me
Just because you don’t see it…..doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.
Great to see more publicity for the carrying potential of bikes and trailers. Just before Christmas I had to pick up a large present for my son from New Brighton (we live in St Martins). My wife and boys were away tramping for a few days with our car.
Steven Muir and his cargo trailers provided the answer. I borrowed one for a morning, and was able to get the present and have a nice bike ride all at the same time.
I have recently got a bakfeit trike, and in September will be launching a small urban garden design and maintenance business called Velo Flora.
Keep and eye out for me! 🙂