[ed. Great. Count me in as someone not enamored with this new trend. It might be carbon friendly and good exercise but until cities are designed for real hybridized use of our transit corridors (and not just painted 'bike lanes' with no real barriers), forget it. This is just another step in ratcheting up the existing conflict of who gets to claim right-of-way. Good design would include automobile, bike, pedestrian... hell, even golf cart friendly options that are integated or separated from the start, depending upon their intended purpose. This isn't.]
Cyclists are pushing the limits of what they can haul on cargo bikes — sturdy two-wheelers built to haul lots of stuff. The so-called SUV of bicycles are increasingly popular in pedal-friendly communities, from Washington state to Massachusetts.
Families are using the bikes to do everything they did on four wheels — schlepping kids to school, hauling groceries or running errands — without the hassle of finding parking. Some do it to help the environment in a small way or get exercise, while others say it's an easier, more fun way to get around.
“(Our) bike has turned into our go everywhere minivan,” said Julian Davies, a Seattle physician who regularly hauls his two kids in a cargo bike. (...)
It's still in the early adopter phase, but “it's picking up steam,” said Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists. “It's a reflection of the growing utility of cycling, and the propensity to use bikes for more and more activities. It's giving people more options and flexibility.”
Cargo bikes can refer to any bike that hauls heavy loads. Many models out now are built to handle multiple people or loads up to about 400 pounds on a single frame. They can be a foot or two longer than typical bikes, and are often outfitted with a wheelbarrow-like box or shelf, in front or back. Some cost between $1,000 and $5,000. (...)
Madi Carlson, 41, regularly schlepps her two young kids along with their bikes on her pink long-tail bike, which has kids seats mounted over the rear of the bike. The three usually cover about 10 miles a day, riding between school, home, playdates and errands.
The Seattle mom considers it a challenge to carry absurd loads. She once tried to haul a box spring mattress, and made it six blocks before she had to call her husband for a lift.
“That damn box spring,” she laughed. “That's one of the problems with cargo bikes. You just want to carry bigger and more exciting loads. You just want to see what you can do.”
As for safety, Carlson said she bikes slowly and defensively and sticks to dedicated bike paths where possible. “I worry a lot more about accidents in the car,” she said.
by Phuong Le, AP | Read more:
Image:Elaine Thompson/AP via Yahoo
