Global increase in the use of pedal power is leaving cars in the dust

The cargo bike is redefining transportation, both for materials and people.  It was even reported by the European Cycle Logistics Federation that 1 in 4 families with two children in Copenhagen own cargo bikes.

So, what is ia cargo bike?  Also known as a freight bicycle, it is generally a bicycle made to carry extra load.  There is no one specific design; sometimes the carrier is in the front, sometimes in the back.

 

In the modern age, these bikes have begun to supplant cars with electric augmentation to assist pedal power.  Notable uses are "delivery services in dense urban environments, food vending in high foot traffic areas, transporting trade tools, including around large installations such as power stations and CERN, airport cargo handling, recycling collections, warehouse inventory transportation, mail delivery and child transport; it is estimated that 90% of the freight bicycles sold in Amsterdam are used primarily to carry children."

The trend has been picking up steam in recent times, likely due to awareness through the internet, but powered mainly by the fact that it is cheaper than a car, better for the environment than a car, and better for your cardiovascular system than sitting behind the wheel.

It is even famously to the point, now, that John Lewis, a well-known UK department store is selling a brand-name cargo bike called the Johnny Loco Dutch Delight E Cargo Bike.

 

 

Image Credit: http://cleantechnica.com/2015/01/12/cargo-bikes-uk-stores/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freight_bicycle