Friday 19 November 2010

family transport

I have finally made up my mind. To be honest I have made up my mind ages ago, but I needed to make up my wife's mind too, and sort the finances for this step as well. Yes, it's official now - I am buying a Bakfiets Cargobike Long. This is going to be our weekend bike to carry our two offspring and groceries, to go for family rides - basically to replace the car (which we never had). The decision was hard especially since it doesn't cost peanuts. £2000 however is what I would probably pay for upkeep of the car only annually, so in the end it's not that bad. Plus it's and investment. These bikes are meant to withstand the elements for at least 30 years of faithful service and not deteriorate on little bit - which means I can sell it when I don't need it any more (when that would be I don't now).
I still have a trailer which I used to use with my road bike but it just seemed so awkward, wide I had to assemble it every time I felt like a ride with my son - plus the only thing he saw from there was my bum and the curb. No I'll get to speak with him while riding - the bonding is well worth £2000. I'll report again when I get it - should be about two weeks from now.

11 comments:

  1. Good luck, always fancied a Bakfiets, I may get one eventually but for now I shall manage with my Yuba Mundo. Where are you getting it from? I got mine from a shop which specialises in cargo-bikes (up North) called Practical Cycles, he does Bakfiets starting at around £1600.

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  2. I think I'll be getting one from Workcycles in the Netherlands - it comes out cheaper even with shipping.

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  3. I would love to have a cargo bike, but living in a flat have no where to store it, you are so lucky!

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  4. Well I live in a flat too. However I do have a communal garden, where I've recently put a sheffield stand to keep my bikes. The only entrance to the garden is through our lobby, and the stand is right under my window. It's a shame that councils do not provide adequate parking facilities for bicycles yet are more then happy to do so for cars.

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  5. I am hoping to persuade the my local council that secure on street cycle parking is a good idea, and I hope to follow that up with a Cargo Bike Club. I am I mad?

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  6. I can only keep my fingers crossed and wish you good luck. As you said in your post there's a lot of money to be made by the councils on cycling and since people are willing to pay to keep their bikes safe I can only imagine how popular the secure bike sheds provided by councils would be.

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  7. Exciting stuff Ndru! Will you let us take it for a test ride when you get it if we promise not to scratch it??

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  8. I wouldn't be worried about it being scratched. See the good thing about a cargo bike is that for instance if someone tries to door you - you get to take the door with you home :) And you don't even have to stop.

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  9. Wehey - I can't wait to see some pics of it!

    I didn't realise your parking situation either Ndru, and totally sympathise with you about bicycle parking provision vs. car parking. My Brother in Law was hunting for a place to live recently, and as he has swapped his old car for a pushie, somewhere to store his steed was high on the agenda & eye-openingly a problem!

    Regarding 'on-street' car parking provision, have a Google for 'CycleHoops' website. The market a car sized & shaped set of Sheffield stands designed to be placed in an on-street parking space.

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  10. I am familiar with CycleHoops - Greenwich council has been placing quite a few of them in my neighborhood. The carbike rack is nice too. The There are many brilliant ideas like that. Guess it's time to start campaigning for them.

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  11. I bought a Gazelle Cabby bakfiets and it is amazing. I've transported all sorts of goods in it and we do our weekly grocery shopping with it - no parking hassles and it is much, much faster!

    Cheers & great site!

    Paul Martin
    Brisbane, Australia

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