Cargo bikes
A bike which can carry your shopping and take the kids to and from school is a very tempting proposition.
Seeing images of them in Copenhagen and Amsterdam, I knew it would be just a matter of time before they turned up in Australia.
Attempting to get my employer, Charles Sturt University and Bathurst Regional Council to be ahead of the game, I put forward proposals to each, on why this would be a good idea. My reasoning was that the cargo bike is a very distinctive mode of transport and is very likely to catch the eye and plant the idea of the extended usefulness of the bicycle.
Alas, neither the university nor the council have taken up the idea yet. After much deliberation, I decided to launch myself deeper into poverty and purchase one myself. My own motivation was to use the bike as a travelling billboard to promote the idea of Bathurst Becoming Cycle Friendly.
Fortunately for me, a company in Melbourne, Dutch Cargo Bikes, had become agents for Bullitt cargo bicycles (as well as other models of cargo bikes plus many variations on the commuter bicycle).
Jurgen and Emmy from Dutch Cargo Bikes did all the organisation or importing my bike and transporting it to me. I assembled it via a very ammusing three part video put together by the manufacturers of the Bullitt (www.larryvsharry.com/english/LarryvsHarryTheAssemblyMovie.html)
The instructions were good and I eventually was able to take it for a trial ride with Hannah and Emma in front.
The next day I took it to work and showed it off to my work-mates, in particular Andrew McGrath who has been a real supporter in getting this bike. With the Farmer's Market due on the following Saturday, I was under a fair bit of pressure to get my cargo box made, painted and assembled in time for my first serious cargo assignment.
I ran out of time to get the designs painted on the side promotiong Bathurst Becoming Cycle Friendly, finishing up with some hastily scribbled chalked on signs done late at night.
The next morning, Emma and I were up early and headed off on our bikes to the market, where Emma does some flute playing for the enjoyment of patrons and I was on my new cargo bike ready to carry all my purchases home.
I bought up big and when it was time to pedal home the bike took it all without one complaint. If anything the bike was easier to pedal with the load than without.
It is my confident prediction that the cargo bike will be commonplace in Bathurst in a couple of years down the track as businesses see the wisdom of making their deliveries and pickups by environmentally friendly transport which can be taken right to the door of customers and suppliers. Perhaps there will be one or more cycle couriers plying their trade and minimising motor transport for the beneifit of all citizens.
Perhaps we will even have our own cycle mechanic, who will take his tools of trade to cyclists in need of attention, by bicycle.
Still not convinced - have a look at this little film.