Cargo bikes are bicycles that can transport cargo like groceries. By either moding a bike or adding a trailer one can eliminate the need for automobile ownership entirely in many locations.
There have been many human powered vehicles designed and constructed specifically for transporting loads since their earliest appearance in the 20th century. They are referred to variously depending on the number of wheels — typically two, three, or four — and by their specific use. Adjectives used to describe the tasks to which the bicycles, dicycles, tricycles, or quadracycles are put include cargo cycles (bi- / tri- / etc.), freight cycles, box cycles (due to the luggage carrier's shape), carrier cycles, and so on. Sometimes they are also called cycletrucks, which uses a sense of the word 'truck' predating the automobile.
Cargo bike designs include a cargo area consisting of an open or enclosed box, a flat platform, or a wire basket, usually mounted over one or both wheels, low behind the front wheel, or between parallel wheels at either the front or rear of the vehicle. The frame, drivetrain and wheels must be constructed to handle loads larger than those on an ordinary bicycle.
Events[edit | edit source]
2020's, Decade of the Cargo Bike, Jos Sluijsmans and Tom Parr, organisers of the International Cargo Bike Festival believe this is the decade the cargo bike will hit the mainstream. "The potential impact is enormous, so join us, and together let's make it happen"
See also[edit | edit source]
External links[edit | edit source]
- A great site covering cargo bikes and how to make them is Tom's Cargo Bikes
- A German wiki of DIY cargobike designs: https://www.werkstatt-lastenrad.de
- Bike Games