This video is such a great example of how fun and practical it can be to get groceries by bike. For many, it feels impossible, they just don’t realize how capable and versatile bikes are. This kind of media is exactly what can inspire someone to leave the car at home and give it a try. - ThreadSky

americanfietser.com • 43 days ago

This video is such a great example of how fun and practical it can be to get groceries by bike.

For many, it feels impossible, they just don’t realize how capable and versatile bikes are. This kind of media is exactly what can inspire someone to leave the car at home and give it a try.

Reposted from Best Side Cycling

My latest video I show the power of cargo e-bikes as I get groceries with my spouse at the new T&T Supermarket.

youtu.be/pM504SJqhYU?...

Comments

maxtide.bsky.social•42 days ago

2 days ago I delivered 2 dead goats by ebike. It was glorious. So fun to see what's possible!

bestsidecycling.com•43 days ago

Appreciate the kind words and share :) I've been converted! Making your daily errands into a fun active adventure is just too addictive.

americanfietser.com•43 days ago

Grocery runs by bike were what got me hooked. It turned a chore into an experience and as you get older, you really value these things more.

commonninja.bsky.social•42 days ago

It is worth noting that a relatively inexpensive cycle trailer is also good for hauling groceries.

whoislinds.bsky.social•42 days ago

I was coming here to say something similar. 80% of posts claiming ‘cycling is so easy for replacing lifestyle habits’ aren’t forthright(?) about how many of the posters have either a cargo bike and/or an ebike.

Groceries in a reg bike with a small basket aren’t that easy (small trips only).

annepaulson.bsky.social•42 days ago

It is very easy to put a rear rack on a bike. Then panniers, baskets, or a saddlebag, and you're golden. Generally when I go to the grocery store, I take a regular bike with a rear rack and a big saddlebag similar to this one.
https://www.rivbike.com/products/sackville-bagboy?srsltid=AfmBOoqdXg8CUZ2_9pPEjc7UlqV8pAycY4zimxRmRZfxa3QKlYnhvdmh

whoislinds.bsky.social•42 days ago

Yep I installed a rear rack and nifty removable basket on my bike myself 4 years ago. Thanks though.

americanfietser.com•42 days ago

I think that for many, we assume that it's implied since we regularly bring up ebikes/cargo. It's not that we're hiding that fact, but avoiding being repetitive. Often, the media says it for us.

Without ebikes, I'd be a motorist, so I'm basically a broken record on the bike type I promote.

whoislinds.bsky.social•42 days ago

👍🏼 sorry if I came off as reductive or critical; just lamenting that as much as I support cycling + advocate voices like yours, I haven’t been able to better shift habits because a regular bike is more difficult(?) yet they’re more common(?). Not trying to argue about bike “inclusivity.”

americanfietser.com•42 days ago

No worries, I understand what you're saying. I remember when I started my transformation into an urbanist after my first Netherlands visit.

I came home, did absolutely minimal research, and ordered my first Dutch bike. After I got it, I tried to emulate Dutch cycling and quickly realized something.

americanfietser.com•42 days ago

I could tell it wouldn't work here. Not for me, not for many. We lacked something that the Dutch didn't and that's common density and enabling infrastructure.

Before I gave up, I had an idea. Let's try this with e-assist. It took a bunch of work and cost, but I made a Dutch Ebike.

commonninja.bsky.social•42 days ago

You can get quite a lot into good sized front and rear panniers.

But serviceable trailers are available for less than a full set of panniers.

Of course without electrical assistance in hilly places, a good range of gears and reasonable fitness is required.

whoislinds.bsky.social•42 days ago

Thanks for noting these options!
My bike life has a lot of obstacles to overcome but hopefully one day I’ll have something that better serves as transport.

commonninja.bsky.social•42 days ago

I think e-cargo bikes are great, but it is important people know there other options given their cost.

americanfietser.com•42 days ago

Yes, I agree with you, and I leave that up to others who are the champions, users, and voices of bike trailers to do so. My narrow interest and knowledge lie in ebikes and e-cargo bikes, so that's what my platform largely consists of.

thegrgs.bsky.social•42 days ago

I do have an e-bike, and it's a lifesaver, and still way cheaper than a car. I have saddle bags, and rack, and I have been able to bike home Costco trips (and it's my preference to having to deal with those parking lot!)

whoislinds.bsky.social•42 days ago

Yep. I have a regular bike with a large basket and take it when I don’t feel like walking. I have many neighbors with cargo/e-bikes and hope to get one when I can have safe storage.

thegrgs.bsky.social•42 days ago

Storage is such a challenge! My e-bike lives with me in my dogs in my livingroom! When my partner is here, there's two of us and two e-bikes, in my living room, because there's no other secure storage... 😡

njtrainsit.bsky.social•43 days ago

For a similar genre of video, @ben-durham.bsky.social does great stuff. The production quality is fantastic, and the vid strikes a good balance of "how-to" with urbanist concepts.

https://youtu.be/Pl6kLo0_9S4?si=mFWUmFh7vs3hFr9j

carsten-diekmann.bsky.social•43 days ago

At around minute 11, one of the most important points for the design of cycle networks is addressed: it is better to take a few minutes' detour through a beautiful, safe environment.

This calls into question the often-read design principle of "directness".

I prefer to use the term "desirable".

jamiesonroberts.bsky.social•42 days ago

I think the better point is, we need to build infrastructure so that the direct route is the desirable route. I love detours through beautiful safe environments, but I want ALL of my ride to be beautiful safe environments, not just at the expense of time

carsten-diekmann.bsky.social•42 days ago

Of course we also need the routes between travel destinations. But I thought that so many people are already taking care of that. But when it comes to accessibility with cargo bikes, many countries are still behind with their standards. I definitely see potential.

Thank you for participating👍

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