Cargo bikes the new minivan for cycling families | Adelaide Now -g-icon-error cloudy-day nav_small_right nav_small_right nav_small_right nav_small_right nav_small_right nav_small_right nav_small_right nav_small_right nav_small_right 0A0871E9-1636-49F4-904

Cyclists are breaking the limits of freight bikes --sturdy two-
Wheels specially made for transporting large quantities of goods.
A fisherman uses bicycles to transport hundreds of pounds of salmon to the local market.
A mom who used to pick up two kids in town once tried to take a double bed pad home.
Some companies use bicycles to transport beer barrels or recycle them. The so-
Bike SUVs are becoming more and more popular on pedals
Friendly American community from Washington state to Massachusetts.
Families use bicycles to do everything they do on four wheels
Send kids to school, carry groceries or run errands
No trouble finding the parking lot.
Some people do this to help the environment or exercise in a small way, while others say it\'s an easier and more interesting way.
\"(Our) bicycles have become small vans that we can see everywhere,\" said Seattle doctor Julian Davis . \" He often picks up two children by freight bike.
The company also uses bicycles to transport beer near Portland, Oregon, to collect recycling in Cambridge, Massachusetts, or to pick up dirty clothes in Philadelphia.
Freight bikes are common in countries such as Denmark and the Netherlands, but are popular in the United States.
Companies like Xtracycle, Yuba and Metrofiets are catering to this niche market, and major bicycle manufacturers like Trek are also developing their own production lines.
It is still in the early adoption phase, but \"it is heating up,\" said Andy Clark, president of the US cycling union . \".
\"This reflects the growing utility of bicycles and the tendency of more and more activities to use bicycles.
It gives people more choices and flexibility.
\"Cargo bikes can refer to any bicycle that carries heavy objects.
Many of the models introduced now are built to handle multiple people or load up to about 181 kilograms of cargo on a frame.
They may be 1 feet or 2 longer than regular bikes and often equipped with trolleys
Like a box or shelf, in front or behind.
Some fees range from $1,000 to $5,000 ($1100 and $5000 ).
\"If you want to park, it\'s a road,\" says Joel Grover . \"
Owner of the brilliant cycle in Portland, Oregon.
The store opened four years ago, mainly to sell to businesses, but soon began catering to families who wanted wheels to handle more than one child.
\"We have reached the point where all these cities encourage people to go by bike,\" co-
Said Grover, the owner.
Seattle\'s father, Davis, recorded about 3219 kilometers on his cargo bike.
The rain cover and electric aids helped him power the rain and hills in Seattle.
His two children were sitting in a large front box between the handlebar and the front wheel.
It is more convenient to do things by bike, because parking is easier, he said.
But he likes the social aspect of being able to chat with his kids while riding a bike.
Madi Carlson, 41, often uses her long pink bike with her two young children --
Rear Bike with child seat in rear of bike.
These three people usually travel about 16 kilometers a day, between school, family, entertainment and errands.
Mother Seattle thinks it\'s a challenge to carry ridiculous goods.
She used to try to pull a box of spring mattresses and made six blocks before she had to call her husband for a ride.
\"The damn box spring,\" she said with a smile . \"
\"This is one of the problems with freight bikes.
You just want to carry bigger and more exciting loads.
You just want to see what you can do.
\"As for the safety issue, MS Carlson said that she was slow to ride a bike, and she was slow to defend and would stick to a dedicated bike lane if possible.
\"I\'m more worried about car accidents,\" she said . \".
Randy Swat, director of the Bike Helmet Safety Institute, said he hasn\'t seen research on cargo bike safety yet, but \"most studies look very stable.
\"From what I have seen, not from scientific evidence, it seems to be a very reasonable solution for bringing children,\" he added . \".
\"The guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics suggest that infants under the age of one should not be allowed to ride bicycles.
It says children should ride bicycles.
Drag the child trailer, wear a helmet and tie it inside.
It warns that it can be seriously hurt when riding a bike with a young child.
Cycling salmon is a great publicity for Rick Altman, whose corporate bikes can be seen in Port Townsend, Washington, near Seattle. \"People wave.
\"We have a lot of fan clubs,\" said Mr. Altman, owner of Cleare point fisheries.
\"It\'s not about saving the world.
We like to ride bicycles best.
Sitting on a white van my ass got flat and I don\'t want to do that anymore.
The enthusiasm of Ms. Carlson is high.
Two friends bought a similar cargo bike and started riding it.
\"Sometimes, as long as you see a person doing this, you plant seeds,\" she said . \".