As the “normalisation” of biking happens around Christchurch, we are seeing a lot more practical utility bikes being ridden in favour of the traditional sporting and mountain bike models that were the standard in the past. Another creeping trend is the steady growth in cargo bikes of various forms, to help carry extra goods and people around town. I almost don’t give them a second glance these days, but it wasn’t that many years ago when cargo bikes were still a rarity around Christchurch. They were certainly noteworthy enough to feature in a local newspaper, as first reported here back in April 2013:
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. {Link to her completed thesis}
- 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?
…don’t see fridges being moved in cars either – they’re too big :-\