Cargo bikes’ use grows for businesses, families

SEATTLE – One fisherman uses a bike to deliver hundreds of pounds of salmon to local markets. A mom who regularly shuttles her two kids around town once tried to haul a twin mattress home. And some companies use bikes to deliver beer kegs or pick up recycling.

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 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.

Companies also are using bikes to deliver beer around Portland, collect recycling in Cambridge, Mass., or pick up dirty laundry in Philadelphia.

Cargo bikes are common in countries like Denmark and the Netherlands, and they’re catching on in the U.S. Companies such Xtracycle, Yuba and Metrofiets are catering to this niche, while major bike makers like Trek are also developing their own lines.

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.”

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.

Seattle mom Madi Carlson, 41, regularly schleps 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, play dates and errands.

As for safety, Carlson said she bikes defensively. “I worry a lot more about accidents in the car.”