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Flashback to the middle of winter 2017-18 when, on a winter's day off I asked Nadia if she'd join me for a day in the car exploring ...
Showing posts with label cargo bikes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cargo bikes. Show all posts
Feb 22, 2020
Benno Ebikes - True Sport Utility Bicycles
Benno's range of electric bikes are truly unique in their design. Blending elements from large, heavy cargo bikes as well as positioning and styling cues from traditional bicycle design, Benno's electric assist bicycles flatten hills, shortens distances, blunts headwinds and lightens cargo weight, leaving only the joy of two wheels.
Feb 28, 2018
Why Buy A Car When An Electric Bike Will Do
In the last couple of years, electric bicycles have burst forth from the shadows into the mainstream and along the way have also become lighter, simpler to use, with bigger range, and more reliable than ever. In many cases, prices have also moderated and in some cases have come down significantly.
Gone are the days where you had to find a bike shop that was interested in and capable of installing an aftermarket kit on your existing bike. The e-bikes available at your local bike store today are sleek, well appointed, fully integrated, and can often be difficult to distinguish from regular non-electric bikes. They are also easy to operate, re-charge, and maintain - with many being not much different than maintenance needed on a non-electric bike.
Time To Look In The Mirror
If you're honest with yourself and take a quick look at your personal driving habits, you'll begin to notice a couple of interesting things:
- your vehicle is parked 95% of the time
- most of your city trips are less than 10kms - see chart below
- the amount of treasure you sink into it is astonishingly high - see image below.
All that time sitting motionless behind the wheel also has major health implications over the long term. Even for people who feel that they are fit, or work out on a regular basis - all that windshield time adds up and over years of driving can lead to negative health issues.
Humans are meant to move. All the time. We evolved as hunter/gatherers and although our technological society has offered us impressive shiny objects and abilities that seem to make us almost superhuman - we are all still those same hunter/gatherers that need to be in constant motion to stay sharp and remain healthy.
The car trip distances above are shockingly short and easily covered by an electric bicycle. When you begin to compare electric bicycles to electric cars the value proposition starts to look pretty compelling.
Here are a few blog posts about the cost comparison between owning a used car and e-cargo bikes:
Cost Comparison: E-Cargo Bikes Vs. The Car - Genpedia
Does Biking Save You Money Even When You Need A Car - Genpedia
The Cost Of Cargo Biking - This Mom Bikes
Our Bodies Are Designed To Move All The Time
And we still haven't discussed the real physical health benefits that riding an electric bike offers its rider. Because the truth is, with today's generation of pedal-assist bicycles, you still have to work to make it go. No throttle means the systems only work when you are pedaling. You can choose the assist level you receive from pretty easy to full power to help flatten hills, shorten distance, and disappear headwinds. All the while having fun.
A recent survey conducted in the US showed that people that owned e-bikes rode more often than before their purchase. The reasons behind the purchases were all over the map, but included the ability to ride more easily in a hilly area; to ride longer distances; to help overcome limitations caused by a medical condition; and, of course, to just have fun.
We have curated a full spectrum of electric bikes for every city cycling style. Everything from the speedy commuter through to the family hauler extraordinaire. Bikes you can transport out of town on a car rack and bikes that can replace your car entirely. Scroll down to see the range available now.
All of our electric bikes are available for demo rides too. Pop by the shop to see them.
The City Commuter
The Gazelle Easy Flow is the perfect bike for those looking for a fun handling, lightweight city-styled bike with all the sensible commuter accessories included. Utilizing Shimano's amazing STePS system, power is smooth and abundant with a range of around 80km between charges. A sturdy rear rack allows the use of a set of panniers to carry your stuff to work, pickup groceries on the way home, or attach a Thule baby seat to it and take your little one to daycare. Full coverage fenders keep road grime off you and your machine, and the included kickstand holds everything up.
The Light-Duty Cargo Commuter
You like the idea of the Gazelle above but know in your heart you're going to end up carrying more than it can handle. Or you have more than one child and want to accommodate them onboard too. Or you want a little off-road capability so you can choose whichever path opens upo in front of you. If any of this makes sense to you, than the Benno Boost is the bike for you. Sporting wide 24" tires, total cargo capacity of 440lbs, available front rack that, this bike can handle the grocery run and multiple children at the same time. Powered by Bosch's industry-leading mid-drive system, this is your new Smart Car. Full fenders keep you clean, built-in high powered front and rear German-engineered lighting keeps you visible day and night, and a study kickstand makes loading up easy.
The Medium Duty Utility and Family Hauler
When I discovered Xtracycle back in 2008, it was the brand that caused us to trip and fall down the rabbit hole of cargo bikes/utility cycling - ultimately leading us to conceptualize and open BikeBike a couple years later. Since that time, they have continued to innovate and are still leaders in the cargo bike ecosystem here in North America.
Their bikes are supremely capable on so many levels: city commuters, grocery getters, kid haulers, family bike camping vehicles - the sky is the limit on what these bikes are capable of. Carry up to 3 children or 200lbs of whatever you want - these amazing bikes are super fun to ride, easy to operate, are available in electric and non-electric models. The electric models utilize the reliable Bosch unit as well.
The 21st Century SUV's and Pickup Trucks
Haul all the children, gardening supplies, groceries, recycling, IKEA run - you name it with these incredible machines. The future of urban transportation has arrived and it looks a lot like these bikes. Capable of doing anything a car can do - in fact - they can be more useful than a car when moving bulky items around.
If you've ever been to Amsterdam or Copenhagen you've seen bikes like these zipping all over the place loaded with a manner of animals, humans, and stuff. It is difficult to understand how incredible these are until you've had a chance to ride one.
As expected, they also sit at the top of the price range but even then, they are still 1/4 the price of the cheapest electric car, can carry more stuff, are cheaper to operate - and you get fit while using it!
If you are seriously contemplating the purchase of an electric automobile, you should come see us and check out what the future of transportation actually looks like. Many of our past customers have sold of one of their cars, took the proceeds and put them towards a cargo bike and have not regretted it for a minute.
Your kids with thank you. Your wallet with thank you. Your retirement savings with thank you. And your heart with thank you too.
Still not convinced? Watch these...
Gone are the days where you had to find a bike shop that was interested in and capable of installing an aftermarket kit on your existing bike. The e-bikes available at your local bike store today are sleek, well appointed, fully integrated, and can often be difficult to distinguish from regular non-electric bikes. They are also easy to operate, re-charge, and maintain - with many being not much different than maintenance needed on a non-electric bike.
Time To Look In The Mirror
If you're honest with yourself and take a quick look at your personal driving habits, you'll begin to notice a couple of interesting things:
- your vehicle is parked 95% of the time
- most of your city trips are less than 10kms - see chart below
- the amount of treasure you sink into it is astonishingly high - see image below.
All that time sitting motionless behind the wheel also has major health implications over the long term. Even for people who feel that they are fit, or work out on a regular basis - all that windshield time adds up and over years of driving can lead to negative health issues.
Humans are meant to move. All the time. We evolved as hunter/gatherers and although our technological society has offered us impressive shiny objects and abilities that seem to make us almost superhuman - we are all still those same hunter/gatherers that need to be in constant motion to stay sharp and remain healthy.
![]() |
| The vast majority of vehicle trips taken are well under 10kms. Think about that. |
![]() |
| An astonishingly massive amount of money goes to servicing vehicle costs. |
The car trip distances above are shockingly short and easily covered by an electric bicycle. When you begin to compare electric bicycles to electric cars the value proposition starts to look pretty compelling.
Here are a few blog posts about the cost comparison between owning a used car and e-cargo bikes:
Cost Comparison: E-Cargo Bikes Vs. The Car - Genpedia
Does Biking Save You Money Even When You Need A Car - Genpedia
The Cost Of Cargo Biking - This Mom Bikes
Our Bodies Are Designed To Move All The Time
And we still haven't discussed the real physical health benefits that riding an electric bike offers its rider. Because the truth is, with today's generation of pedal-assist bicycles, you still have to work to make it go. No throttle means the systems only work when you are pedaling. You can choose the assist level you receive from pretty easy to full power to help flatten hills, shorten distance, and disappear headwinds. All the while having fun.
A recent survey conducted in the US showed that people that owned e-bikes rode more often than before their purchase. The reasons behind the purchases were all over the map, but included the ability to ride more easily in a hilly area; to ride longer distances; to help overcome limitations caused by a medical condition; and, of course, to just have fun.
We have curated a full spectrum of electric bikes for every city cycling style. Everything from the speedy commuter through to the family hauler extraordinaire. Bikes you can transport out of town on a car rack and bikes that can replace your car entirely. Scroll down to see the range available now.
All of our electric bikes are available for demo rides too. Pop by the shop to see them.
The City Commuter
The Gazelle Easy Flow is the perfect bike for those looking for a fun handling, lightweight city-styled bike with all the sensible commuter accessories included. Utilizing Shimano's amazing STePS system, power is smooth and abundant with a range of around 80km between charges. A sturdy rear rack allows the use of a set of panniers to carry your stuff to work, pickup groceries on the way home, or attach a Thule baby seat to it and take your little one to daycare. Full coverage fenders keep road grime off you and your machine, and the included kickstand holds everything up.
The Light-Duty Cargo Commuter
You like the idea of the Gazelle above but know in your heart you're going to end up carrying more than it can handle. Or you have more than one child and want to accommodate them onboard too. Or you want a little off-road capability so you can choose whichever path opens upo in front of you. If any of this makes sense to you, than the Benno Boost is the bike for you. Sporting wide 24" tires, total cargo capacity of 440lbs, available front rack that, this bike can handle the grocery run and multiple children at the same time. Powered by Bosch's industry-leading mid-drive system, this is your new Smart Car. Full fenders keep you clean, built-in high powered front and rear German-engineered lighting keeps you visible day and night, and a study kickstand makes loading up easy.
The Medium Duty Utility and Family Hauler
When I discovered Xtracycle back in 2008, it was the brand that caused us to trip and fall down the rabbit hole of cargo bikes/utility cycling - ultimately leading us to conceptualize and open BikeBike a couple years later. Since that time, they have continued to innovate and are still leaders in the cargo bike ecosystem here in North America.
Their bikes are supremely capable on so many levels: city commuters, grocery getters, kid haulers, family bike camping vehicles - the sky is the limit on what these bikes are capable of. Carry up to 3 children or 200lbs of whatever you want - these amazing bikes are super fun to ride, easy to operate, are available in electric and non-electric models. The electric models utilize the reliable Bosch unit as well.
![]() |
| Xtracycle Classic 8e |
The 21st Century SUV's and Pickup Trucks
Haul all the children, gardening supplies, groceries, recycling, IKEA run - you name it with these incredible machines. The future of urban transportation has arrived and it looks a lot like these bikes. Capable of doing anything a car can do - in fact - they can be more useful than a car when moving bulky items around.
If you've ever been to Amsterdam or Copenhagen you've seen bikes like these zipping all over the place loaded with a manner of animals, humans, and stuff. It is difficult to understand how incredible these are until you've had a chance to ride one.
As expected, they also sit at the top of the price range but even then, they are still 1/4 the price of the cheapest electric car, can carry more stuff, are cheaper to operate - and you get fit while using it!
![]() |
| Urban Arrow Family Model |
If you are seriously contemplating the purchase of an electric automobile, you should come see us and check out what the future of transportation actually looks like. Many of our past customers have sold of one of their cars, took the proceeds and put them towards a cargo bike and have not regretted it for a minute.
Your kids with thank you. Your wallet with thank you. Your retirement savings with thank you. And your heart with thank you too.
Still not convinced? Watch these...
Aug 22, 2016
2016 Calgary Cargo Bike Championship
Last year we hosted Calgary's first ever cargo bike meetup, which was good fun and saw a pretty solid turn out but something was lacking and many at that meetup were asking - " Why don't we host a cargo bike race?" To which we replied: Sure!
So here we are: one year later and Calgary's Cargo Bike Championship went down under glorious sunshine and pretty hot weather for us, around 30c degrees.
So here we are: one year later and Calgary's Cargo Bike Championship went down under glorious sunshine and pretty hot weather for us, around 30c degrees.
Mar 21, 2013
Biking With Your Baby Onboard
![]() |
| Infographaic courtesy of Fix.com |
...traffic is gridlocked...your baby is screaming at the top of their lungs in the backseat...your feel your grip tighening on the steering wheel...your can feel your stress level rising......aarrgh!!!
Do not despair, things will get better, and you'll soon be biking again, maybe even with your new baby onboard if you choose.
Jan 24, 2013
Winter Cycling in Calgary by Shaw TV
"Bikes are not for everybody but neither is driving a car". - Christine Thomas
Wise words.
Wise words.
Nov 21, 2012
Everyday Bicycling, The Book
Everyday cycling, it sounds so simple. But to cycle every day, for every thing, well that is not as simple as it sounds. I have been living carfree for almost 3 years now (wow! has it been that long?) and in that time I have learned a lot about what it means to use a bicycle as my primary means of year 'round transportation. But before that, I had plenty of other bicycle riding and bicycle racing experiences that gave me a base knowledge of bicycling in general so the choice to go carfree did not seem like that big a deal at the time.
Everyday cycling, or transportation cycling, or utility cycling - the terms are somewhat interchangeable - is more than just bike commuting to work or school. Indeed, bike commuting is one aspect of everyday cycling. But so is going grocery shopping, so is taking the kids to school/practice, running errands, and even buying/transporting furniture and appliances. It is simply the act of living out your life most of the time on a bike instead of on a bus, behind the wheel of a car, or in the back seat of a taxi.
I am going to guess that people new to the idea and/or practice of bike commuting may not think that doing these other activities on a bike is smart, fun, or even possible. But it is all of those things and more.
Lucky for you, someone out there loves you a lot and decided to save you years of trials and tribulations by writing this sweet little book - Everyday Bicycling - how to ride a bike for transportation (whatever your lifestyle).
It is packed full with everything you could possibly want to know about riding daily - which bikes to consider as an everyday bike(s), clothing strategies, choosing routes, it's all here in an easy read. You could cruise through its 125 pages easily but my suggestion would be to work through it slowly. There is a lot of information to digest and perhaps employ, so slow down, and take your time.
It is available here from the author or if you would like to borrow ours that's cool too.
So, get out there and go pick up that bag of potatoes - by bike of course!
Everyday cycling, or transportation cycling, or utility cycling - the terms are somewhat interchangeable - is more than just bike commuting to work or school. Indeed, bike commuting is one aspect of everyday cycling. But so is going grocery shopping, so is taking the kids to school/practice, running errands, and even buying/transporting furniture and appliances. It is simply the act of living out your life most of the time on a bike instead of on a bus, behind the wheel of a car, or in the back seat of a taxi.
I am going to guess that people new to the idea and/or practice of bike commuting may not think that doing these other activities on a bike is smart, fun, or even possible. But it is all of those things and more.
Lucky for you, someone out there loves you a lot and decided to save you years of trials and tribulations by writing this sweet little book - Everyday Bicycling - how to ride a bike for transportation (whatever your lifestyle).
It is packed full with everything you could possibly want to know about riding daily - which bikes to consider as an everyday bike(s), clothing strategies, choosing routes, it's all here in an easy read. You could cruise through its 125 pages easily but my suggestion would be to work through it slowly. There is a lot of information to digest and perhaps employ, so slow down, and take your time.
It is available here from the author or if you would like to borrow ours that's cool too.
So, get out there and go pick up that bag of potatoes - by bike of course!
Feb 2, 2012
26 Months on Without a Car
After reading a post on Lovely Bicycle I was reminded that I too have been without a daily driver for over two years now - wow, has it really been that long?
One of the things that Velouria mentioned in her piece about not owning a car was her desire to not make her decision to be car free as some kind of "if I can do it so can you" narrative - it is simply a lifestyle choice that is easy for her.
However, for me, choosing to live a car free lifestyle was definitely influenced by a desire to lead by example -
1 - I was taking a huge pay cut quitting my job to open BikeBike and I wanted to make sure the business would have enough cash flow to get us through the critical first year so by ditching the car I would pull less wages out of the shop.
2 - Most importantly, I wanted to know what it would be like to live car free in a city known for being very spread out and populated by car loving people so I could better converse with my customers about the realities of daily bike commuting in "Los Angeles of the North". Contrary to Velouria's position, I want to show people that if I can live without a car, so could you!
It has been an interesting ride to be sure.
I have written a trio of previous posts about this topic here and here and here and since the last post not much has really changed. One thing I did decide was I needed to find a way to get out of the city more often as I was finding myself getting a little squirrelly and badly missing trips to the mountains for the usual fun found out there - mountain biking, snowboarding, hiking, and camping.
So last fall I bought a vehicle - gasp! However, not a daily driver, far from it. I picked up an ancient RV and have had a blast using it to get out of the city on fun missions as well as used it during the cyclocross race season last fall. 99.9% of the time it sits quietly in the backyard patiently waiting for us to plan the next adventure and never is used in the city since it is a gashog and not the most comfortable thing to drive in the city.
Beyond that, life is still as it was - I enjoy riding everyday, my son loves cycling together on the cargo bike, and I am just as content as a year ago. My health is getting better everyday due to the daily activity but also because I am choosing better foods to fuel myself, my bank account is very happy not dealing with car payments, gasoline purchases, etc and I still love breezing past those long lines of traffic.
Cycling everyday has reduced my stress levels so much that I do not think I want a car anymore. I can afford it now and find a few cars very attractive (looking at you Fiat 500). Aside from the cost associated with car ownership which I am not interested in taking on, I am also concerned about the effect on my contentment level, which is currently sky high. The psychology of driving has been something that has been facinating me since I reduced so dramatically the kilometres I drive and I still to this day cannot figure out why so many people are ok with being so stressed out while behind the wheel. I think people need to ride bikes more often to chill out.
I feel like I have been able to show some of my friends and customers that car ownership is not a requirement to live a fulfilling lifestyle in this city. A handful of customers have told me that I have been able to inspire them to look at their own lives and reevaluate their notions of transportation - some have even ditched their second car. One employee sold the last of their two cars and a close friend has also ditched their car. Will you take the time to look in the mirror and see if you too can get by with one less car or no car at all?
It is a question worth asking.
One of the things that Velouria mentioned in her piece about not owning a car was her desire to not make her decision to be car free as some kind of "if I can do it so can you" narrative - it is simply a lifestyle choice that is easy for her.
However, for me, choosing to live a car free lifestyle was definitely influenced by a desire to lead by example -
1 - I was taking a huge pay cut quitting my job to open BikeBike and I wanted to make sure the business would have enough cash flow to get us through the critical first year so by ditching the car I would pull less wages out of the shop.
2 - Most importantly, I wanted to know what it would be like to live car free in a city known for being very spread out and populated by car loving people so I could better converse with my customers about the realities of daily bike commuting in "Los Angeles of the North". Contrary to Velouria's position, I want to show people that if I can live without a car, so could you!
It has been an interesting ride to be sure.
I have written a trio of previous posts about this topic here and here and here and since the last post not much has really changed. One thing I did decide was I needed to find a way to get out of the city more often as I was finding myself getting a little squirrelly and badly missing trips to the mountains for the usual fun found out there - mountain biking, snowboarding, hiking, and camping.
So last fall I bought a vehicle - gasp! However, not a daily driver, far from it. I picked up an ancient RV and have had a blast using it to get out of the city on fun missions as well as used it during the cyclocross race season last fall. 99.9% of the time it sits quietly in the backyard patiently waiting for us to plan the next adventure and never is used in the city since it is a gashog and not the most comfortable thing to drive in the city.
Beyond that, life is still as it was - I enjoy riding everyday, my son loves cycling together on the cargo bike, and I am just as content as a year ago. My health is getting better everyday due to the daily activity but also because I am choosing better foods to fuel myself, my bank account is very happy not dealing with car payments, gasoline purchases, etc and I still love breezing past those long lines of traffic.
Cycling everyday has reduced my stress levels so much that I do not think I want a car anymore. I can afford it now and find a few cars very attractive (looking at you Fiat 500). Aside from the cost associated with car ownership which I am not interested in taking on, I am also concerned about the effect on my contentment level, which is currently sky high. The psychology of driving has been something that has been facinating me since I reduced so dramatically the kilometres I drive and I still to this day cannot figure out why so many people are ok with being so stressed out while behind the wheel. I think people need to ride bikes more often to chill out.
I feel like I have been able to show some of my friends and customers that car ownership is not a requirement to live a fulfilling lifestyle in this city. A handful of customers have told me that I have been able to inspire them to look at their own lives and reevaluate their notions of transportation - some have even ditched their second car. One employee sold the last of their two cars and a close friend has also ditched their car. Will you take the time to look in the mirror and see if you too can get by with one less car or no car at all?
It is a question worth asking.
Jun 4, 2011
Civia Halsted First Impressions
| Peace, dood. |
First, here are some words from Civia directly -
"Civia’s take on the traditional cycle truck is designed for every-day hauling. Featuring a frame-mounted front rack with a sturdy base made from recycled dumpster plastic, Halsted’s versatile design lets you carry up to 50 pounds of awkward objects like soccer balls, pizza boxes or a few bags of soil for the garden. Delivering an extremely balanced and comfortable ride, its 20” front wheel lowers the load’s center of gravity, while a 26” rear adds speed and stability. Halsted’s compact wheelbase allows tight maneuvering in urban spaces".
Here are the specs -
- 4130 steel frame and fork
- 26" rear wheel, 20" front wheel
- Frame mounted front rack
- Recycled HDPE rack deck made in Minnesota
- Civia semi-horizontal dropouts
- Fender and rack bosses on frame and fork
- Canti-bosses on frame, disc brake tabs on fork
- Ring-lock bosses on frame
- Civia custom-designed kickstand plate
- Stainless steel headtube badge
- Civia stainless steel seatpost clamp
One of the reasons why we like this bike so much is that it offers people who are interested in a utility bike a new option that is much smaller and lighter than most of the cargo bikes currently on the market and allows those who have limited storage space or apartment dwellers a complete utility solution. All you have to do is look at the photo above to see how versatile this bike can be - kid on the back, junk in the front - with the possibility of carrying 2 kids and junk if needed!
Of ride characteristics - in a word, nimble. Riding the Halsted is a real treat! Here are some thoughts -
- lighter overall weight (when compared to other cargo bikes) and a 9-speed gear range means faster acceleration, easy hill climbing, and top speed aplenty.
- a longer cockpit area makes the bike feel very similar to a standard mountain bike and makes out-of-the-saddle climbing easy.
- low overall weight makes carrying the bike up stairs possible (again, comparing to cargo bikes)
- when loaded with cargo (and perhaps a child) the bike is stable and confidence inspiring, with a maximum load on the front flatdeck of about 50lbs or so.
- semi-stephrough toptube design makes getting on/off easy.
Apr 28, 2011
Babboe City Cargobike First Impressions
Babboe was created in 2007 in The Netherlands by 3 folks who saw the need for a more affordable, yet durable cargo bike. Their first offering was the 3-wheeled "Big" with the bakfiets style "City" as their latest offering.
First up is a quick review of the City with a review of the Big coming in a few weeks time. Lets start at the front of the bike...
- Oversized, glavanized steel frame with oversized and galvanized steel fork offering a tough chassis that should last for many years of hard use
- braking provided by a Shimano roller brake for years of maintenance free, all weather stopping power
- battery powered LED lighting. Although we prefer dynamo lighting whenever possible, the light on the City is bright enough and keeps the costs down
The cargo box on the City is one of its finest features and one of the nicest we've seen
- German made, marine grade Birch to handle many years outdoors
- multiple panels are replaceable in the event of damage and held togther with stainless steel hardware
- rounded box design is a real treat preventing ouchies from corners and more comfort for your children
- foot holes on the bottom of the box allow for easy entry for the children
- 2 sets of safety harnesses for the kiddies, with an additional seat available for larger families
- rain cover available
- 100kg weight capacity

The bike itself is shipped in 3 separate boxes allowing for much cheaper freight, but more importantly, better packaging and a bike that arrives to you in great condition. This photo shows how the front half connects to the back with the beautiful kickstand visable too. Stainless steel hardware holds everything togther. One of the things I love about this bike is the kickstand. You can deploy it from either side of the bike (no latch), does not rattle at all, and is spring loaded making it easy to use even with a full load on board.
Moving towards the rear of the bike...
- full coverage fenders front and back keep you clean
- full chaincase keeps your clothes clean
- Rustbuster chain standard
- battery powered taillight with integrated reflector
- drivetrain supplied by Shimano's ubiquitous Nexus 7-speed workhorse
- low gear range makes hills a breeze even on this heavy bike
- braking power is the same as the front, Shimano roller brake
- integrated ABUS wheel lock
- rack mounts (if you decide you want a rear rack)
<- The Babboe City in its natural habitat.
The bike has a remarkably light handling feel, especially considering its length and weight. As with most bakfiets-style bikes, it actually feels better with weight in the box and is quite easy to ride once you've figured it out.
The seat tube angle on the bike is very relaxed offering a wide range of people the ability to ride this bike - everyone from 5' to 6'+ will find the bike comfortable to ride and easy to handle. The handlebars are also height adjustable making it easy to find the perfect riding position for most people.
Riding the Babboe City is easy and comfortable even though is is over 6' long. The steering feels light and responsive even with a couple of kids onboard and the gear range is low enough that most people should be able to handle most terrain found in the city. One thing I really like about this bike is how low the back of the cargo box is - allowing for out-of-the-saddle pedaling on hills - nice!
Cargo bikes are a real alternative to the second (or third) car and offer families an amazing way to get out togther and explore your community, grocery shop, picnics - your imagination is the only thing limiting the possibilities of these amazing machines.
Test rides are available.
First up is a quick review of the City with a review of the Big coming in a few weeks time. Lets start at the front of the bike...
- Oversized, glavanized steel frame with oversized and galvanized steel fork offering a tough chassis that should last for many years of hard use
- braking provided by a Shimano roller brake for years of maintenance free, all weather stopping power
- battery powered LED lighting. Although we prefer dynamo lighting whenever possible, the light on the City is bright enough and keeps the costs down
- German made, marine grade Birch to handle many years outdoors
- multiple panels are replaceable in the event of damage and held togther with stainless steel hardware
- rounded box design is a real treat preventing ouchies from corners and more comfort for your children
- foot holes on the bottom of the box allow for easy entry for the children
- 2 sets of safety harnesses for the kiddies, with an additional seat available for larger families
- rain cover available
- 100kg weight capacity
The bike itself is shipped in 3 separate boxes allowing for much cheaper freight, but more importantly, better packaging and a bike that arrives to you in great condition. This photo shows how the front half connects to the back with the beautiful kickstand visable too. Stainless steel hardware holds everything togther. One of the things I love about this bike is the kickstand. You can deploy it from either side of the bike (no latch), does not rattle at all, and is spring loaded making it easy to use even with a full load on board.
Moving towards the rear of the bike...
- full coverage fenders front and back keep you clean
- full chaincase keeps your clothes clean
- Rustbuster chain standard
- battery powered taillight with integrated reflector
- drivetrain supplied by Shimano's ubiquitous Nexus 7-speed workhorse
- low gear range makes hills a breeze even on this heavy bike
- braking power is the same as the front, Shimano roller brake
- integrated ABUS wheel lock
- rack mounts (if you decide you want a rear rack)
The bike has a remarkably light handling feel, especially considering its length and weight. As with most bakfiets-style bikes, it actually feels better with weight in the box and is quite easy to ride once you've figured it out.
The seat tube angle on the bike is very relaxed offering a wide range of people the ability to ride this bike - everyone from 5' to 6'+ will find the bike comfortable to ride and easy to handle. The handlebars are also height adjustable making it easy to find the perfect riding position for most people.
Riding the Babboe City is easy and comfortable even though is is over 6' long. The steering feels light and responsive even with a couple of kids onboard and the gear range is low enough that most people should be able to handle most terrain found in the city. One thing I really like about this bike is how low the back of the cargo box is - allowing for out-of-the-saddle pedaling on hills - nice!
Cargo bikes are a real alternative to the second (or third) car and offer families an amazing way to get out togther and explore your community, grocery shop, picnics - your imagination is the only thing limiting the possibilities of these amazing machines.
Test rides are available.
Dec 6, 2010
Every Journey Starts With One Step
| My "gateway drug" aka my first cargo bike, September 17 2008 |
September 17, 2008 - little did I know that this day would change the way I live my life and start me on the path that led to creating BikeBike Inc.
A brief history - before creating BikeBike I was working from home as a sales rep in the bike/sporting goods business for the better part of 12 years. I drove on average between 40,000-50,000 kms per year all over the prairie provinces of Canada alone in my minivan and flew across North American 3-4 times per year. I loved the job but there was one thing that kept on nagging at me - like a splinter you cannot get out -
I hated the fact that I spent so much time in my vehicle and felt guilty for driving alone most of the time.
I was spending a lot of time reading about the ecological consequences of our society's driving habits and peak oil theory had just popped onto my radar - remember when oil had hit $147/barrel that year? I wanted to find away to alleviate my guilt, and perhaps, reduce my own personal impact on the enviroment, even just a little. Saving money was not really a consideration.
Then I read about a new product that piqued my interest - the Xtracycle Freeradical.
After cruising around the website and reading a bunch of the testimonials I said to myself -
"Self, why not get one of these contraptions and use it for groceries".
Self replied - "Sounds like a good idea. The grocery store is only 5 blocks away - it will be easy, even in crappy weather".
So I say to Self - "Ok, lets try. Its not expensive, I have a bike I can put it on, perhaps it will be fun to go shopping by bike".
So, as luck would have it, I ended up finding one at a local shop that was shutting down, and a day or two later the "Tankbike" was born. It was easily the heaviest bike I had ever owned - tipping the scales at 55lbs - however it quickly became the bike I wanted to ride everywhere. Heavy? So what. Terrible brakes? Who cares. It was fun to ride - kind of like the bike equivalent of a bus. Everywhere I rode it people would ask questions. All my friends wanted to try it. Many laughed at its weight and mish-mash of components. The best part was I could now ride anywhere with my son (and frequently his bike too) and trips to the farmers market, grocery store, everywhere really, became an adventure.
Suddenly I became part of this subculture in the bike world - a cargobike owner. I showed it to all my bike shop friends who I knew were into kooky bikes. They thought I was a kook. Perfect! More importantly, owning the Tankbike got me into researching what other cargo bikes were out there - and by extention, what was going on in a macro sense in the cargo bike/utility cycling world.
What I found was that this category of bike and the shops that were carrying them were experiencing explosive growth in their respective markets. It didn't matter if the shop was in New York or Vancouver, Toronto or San Diego. It was growing everywhere - yet here in Calgary the existing bike retailers were mostly oblivious to the possibilities that these bikes could offer.
So, Self says to me - "You've always dreamed of owning a bike shop, why not open a utility bike shop in Calgary"?
My response to Self was - "Hmmm - you might be onto something".
Self then says - "It'll work! Think about how your life has changed for the positive since you got Tankbike. Don't you think others would want that sort of change in their life"?
My response to Self was again - "Hmmm - maybe".
(this went on for awhile more...)
Well, the result of that conversation is pretty obvious by now. BikeBike is now a part of the cycling landscape in Calgary and our customers are telling us their own stories of how their new utiltiy/city/cargo bikes are positively impacting their lives. We could not be happier and are constantly being inspired by them to continue to spread the message that city/utility/cargo bikes offer:
- Fun!
- Community
- Sustainability
- Responsibility
You too can make a positive impact on your life and community. All it requires is one small step. Set a goal of using your bike once a week for, well, anything. Groceries? Sure. Errands? Sure. Anything really, it doesn't matter. What matters is the commitment to try - simply try to ride more often.
You will not be disappointed!
May 3, 2010
Cargo Bikes Can Be A Part of Your Own Solution
I have been pondering this post for many months now and the tragedy unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico this past week has got me thinking - I wonder if more North American families chose to reduce their automobile usage, maybe there would have been no need to drill in the first place? Here is another, similar perspective on this...
The sad reality is that for the better part of the last 50 years we have been sold the idea that owning a home in the suburbs, with a 2-car garage, a heavily manicured lawn, widescreen TV in the home theatre room, and a couple of vehicles in said garage was not just something to possibly work towards - but that all of those things are our god-given right here in the Land Of Opportunity - aka North America. Not only that, we have also come to expect that all our communities should be built around the automobile and that everyone should drive their car everywhere - and we have elected people who have done just that for us.
Well, some people have begun to question this idea and wondering if there might be a better way forward. I have, and have come to some of my own conclusions, one of which was to get rid of my automobile for a couple of reasons. There are many reasons to get rid of a car and reduce your dependence on oil companies, car companies, traffic engineers, insurance companies - the list goes on and on. We chose to dump ours for 2 simple reasons - one was to save money and the other was to show people that it is possible in Calgary to be car free - and happy! So far so good!
Sadly, Calgarians have bought into the lie of the automobile more than any other major city in Canada and have the most to gain - if they chose to make changes to their lifestyles now, while it is relatively easy.
One of the easiest ways to take a "buy-out" of the automobile vortex is to get a cargo bike and use it lots.
Here are some of the great things about cargo bikes -
- no need for insurance
- no parking tickets
- door-to-door parking when you go shopping or run errands
- cars give you more space on the roads - at least it seems that way to me! :)
- no visits to the gas station ever again
- better fitness
- your kids will love it!
- you can show your kids how to get around without a car - studies show lazy parents = lazy kids
- never stuck in traffic
- and on and on and on and on...
Now, as I have posted before, I know everyone can throw up any number of reasons why they cannot reduce their car usage, however there are options, and if you spend some time thinking about the positives I am sure you will see that reducing your car usage is not as hard as you might think. I won't get into that here, instead, I want to show you a few cargo bike options and get you thinking about how you might integrate one into your life in the future. Here are some other thoughts from our friends at Joe Bike in Portland and another article from TreeHugger.com.
First up is the XtraCycle Freeradial Kit which is basically a kit you add onto an existing bike you already own (see picture at the top of this post). It converts any hard-tail mountain bike into a legitimate cargo and kid hauler - all for under $600CDN and falls into the "longtail" sub-genre of cargo bikes. A longtail It is the perfect option for those who need a light duty (250lbs max) cargo bike for groceries, errands, and carrying kids. You can carry huge packages on it, but is also quite enjoyable to ride empty. This was my first cargo bike and it truly changed the way I live my life!
Next up is the Yuba Mundo V.3 bike. This is another take on the "longtail" cargo bike and was actually designed by one of the early XtraCycle owners. $1479CDN. Where the XtraCycle sometimes can fall short is when you load it up close to its weight limit - the XtraCycle can feel very flexy and unstable.
The Yuba will have none of those issues as the bike is designed from the ground up as a complete bike and is designed to carry a rider - and another 440lbs! Thats you and two friends! Or you, your two kids, and 2 weeks worth or groceries. Or you, and all your tools if you are a tradesperson. Or you, and...well, you probably get the idea. The bike is actually very well suited to daily use as it comes complete with full fenders and a traditioinal triple crankset with 21 speeds. On top of that, the cargo area has pre-drilled holes for attaching your custom made boxes, latches, whathaveyou. Also available from Yuba are childseats, giant panniers, and a front rack. Truly a minivan replacement!
Also available from us is a traditional "bakfiets" style bike from JoeBike - the 2010 Box Bike $1799CDN. Bakfiets is a Dutch word, literally meaning box bike, and is used generally to describe these types of bikes.
The obvious difference is that the load is carried in front of the rider instead of behind, and usually the load is situated quite low on the bike giving the bike a unique and fun riding characteristic. The steering is handled by a linkage running from the rider underneith the box to a small front wheel. This steering arrangement is one of the things that make these bikes so fun to ride - the ride is hard to describe but I would try by saying it is by far the funnest, fastest, and most comfortable cargo bike I have ridden. The weight limit is 150lbs - just right for a couple small kids, and/or a bunch or groceries. A rain canopy is also available for an extra $350 and the design of the canopy also covers the riders hands keeping them quite warm and dry.
One thing I really like about these style of bikes for carrying kids is that they sit directly in front of you making conversations very easy and keeping an eye on them is a snap too.
All of our cargo bikes are avaialble for test rides, so if you are interested, or merely curious about these cool bikes, pop in to the shop and take them for a test ride. You'll love it - I promise!
The sad reality is that for the better part of the last 50 years we have been sold the idea that owning a home in the suburbs, with a 2-car garage, a heavily manicured lawn, widescreen TV in the home theatre room, and a couple of vehicles in said garage was not just something to possibly work towards - but that all of those things are our god-given right here in the Land Of Opportunity - aka North America. Not only that, we have also come to expect that all our communities should be built around the automobile and that everyone should drive their car everywhere - and we have elected people who have done just that for us.
Well, some people have begun to question this idea and wondering if there might be a better way forward. I have, and have come to some of my own conclusions, one of which was to get rid of my automobile for a couple of reasons. There are many reasons to get rid of a car and reduce your dependence on oil companies, car companies, traffic engineers, insurance companies - the list goes on and on. We chose to dump ours for 2 simple reasons - one was to save money and the other was to show people that it is possible in Calgary to be car free - and happy! So far so good!
Sadly, Calgarians have bought into the lie of the automobile more than any other major city in Canada and have the most to gain - if they chose to make changes to their lifestyles now, while it is relatively easy.
One of the easiest ways to take a "buy-out" of the automobile vortex is to get a cargo bike and use it lots.
Here are some of the great things about cargo bikes -
- no need for insurance
- no parking tickets
- door-to-door parking when you go shopping or run errands
- cars give you more space on the roads - at least it seems that way to me! :)
- no visits to the gas station ever again
- better fitness
- your kids will love it!
- you can show your kids how to get around without a car - studies show lazy parents = lazy kids
- never stuck in traffic
- and on and on and on and on...
Now, as I have posted before, I know everyone can throw up any number of reasons why they cannot reduce their car usage, however there are options, and if you spend some time thinking about the positives I am sure you will see that reducing your car usage is not as hard as you might think. I won't get into that here, instead, I want to show you a few cargo bike options and get you thinking about how you might integrate one into your life in the future. Here are some other thoughts from our friends at Joe Bike in Portland and another article from TreeHugger.com.
First up is the XtraCycle Freeradial Kit which is basically a kit you add onto an existing bike you already own (see picture at the top of this post). It converts any hard-tail mountain bike into a legitimate cargo and kid hauler - all for under $600CDN and falls into the "longtail" sub-genre of cargo bikes. A longtail It is the perfect option for those who need a light duty (250lbs max) cargo bike for groceries, errands, and carrying kids. You can carry huge packages on it, but is also quite enjoyable to ride empty. This was my first cargo bike and it truly changed the way I live my life!
Next up is the Yuba Mundo V.3 bike. This is another take on the "longtail" cargo bike and was actually designed by one of the early XtraCycle owners. $1479CDN. Where the XtraCycle sometimes can fall short is when you load it up close to its weight limit - the XtraCycle can feel very flexy and unstable.
The Yuba will have none of those issues as the bike is designed from the ground up as a complete bike and is designed to carry a rider - and another 440lbs! Thats you and two friends! Or you, your two kids, and 2 weeks worth or groceries. Or you, and all your tools if you are a tradesperson. Or you, and...well, you probably get the idea. The bike is actually very well suited to daily use as it comes complete with full fenders and a traditioinal triple crankset with 21 speeds. On top of that, the cargo area has pre-drilled holes for attaching your custom made boxes, latches, whathaveyou. Also available from Yuba are childseats, giant panniers, and a front rack. Truly a minivan replacement!
Also available from us is a traditional "bakfiets" style bike from JoeBike - the 2010 Box Bike $1799CDN. Bakfiets is a Dutch word, literally meaning box bike, and is used generally to describe these types of bikes.
The obvious difference is that the load is carried in front of the rider instead of behind, and usually the load is situated quite low on the bike giving the bike a unique and fun riding characteristic. The steering is handled by a linkage running from the rider underneith the box to a small front wheel. This steering arrangement is one of the things that make these bikes so fun to ride - the ride is hard to describe but I would try by saying it is by far the funnest, fastest, and most comfortable cargo bike I have ridden. The weight limit is 150lbs - just right for a couple small kids, and/or a bunch or groceries. A rain canopy is also available for an extra $350 and the design of the canopy also covers the riders hands keeping them quite warm and dry.
One thing I really like about these style of bikes for carrying kids is that they sit directly in front of you making conversations very easy and keeping an eye on them is a snap too.
All of our cargo bikes are avaialble for test rides, so if you are interested, or merely curious about these cool bikes, pop in to the shop and take them for a test ride. You'll love it - I promise!
Jan 27, 2010
Coming to BikeBike - the Joe-Bike 2010 BoxBike
We are very excited to announce that we will be importing from Joe-Bike in Portland, OR the 2010 Box Bike.
(The bike shown is an Eco-Speed equiped Joe-Bike. For specifications on the bikes we will offer, click on the link above.)
We will have 3 available and have also ordered one of their custom rain covers. What makes the rain cover so unique is it also extends over the handlebar controls keeping your fingers insulated from the weather. Nice touch!
The Joe-Bike BoxBike is based on the classic European "Bakfiets" design, but with a few differences.
First, Joe-Bike orders the frames from China raw and then has the bikes painted, reinforced, and assembled in Portland. This allows them to bring the price of the bike down to a more affordable level and also allows them to order more frames per shipment than fully built bikes. A side benefit is the ability to choose (if you desire) your own frame colour and parts kit. Although we are ordering the bikes complete, we are of course happy to make any changes you would like.
Second, the box and rain covers are handmade in Portland and there are fancier versions available - like the Galleon style or the lighter weight aluminum and fabric box (again, click the link at the top for more pictures).
Finally, the gearing on the bikes is designed around riding hills (Portland has hills just like ours), making these bikes really fun to ride with a full load of kids, groceries, or deliveries.
We are hoping to have them in the store in February. Make sure you come check them out and take one for a test ride. If you are a curious parent, bring your kids and take them for a spin - they will love it!
Cheers! Keep Warm out there.
(The bike shown is an Eco-Speed equiped Joe-Bike. For specifications on the bikes we will offer, click on the link above.)
We will have 3 available and have also ordered one of their custom rain covers. What makes the rain cover so unique is it also extends over the handlebar controls keeping your fingers insulated from the weather. Nice touch!
The Joe-Bike BoxBike is based on the classic European "Bakfiets" design, but with a few differences.
First, Joe-Bike orders the frames from China raw and then has the bikes painted, reinforced, and assembled in Portland. This allows them to bring the price of the bike down to a more affordable level and also allows them to order more frames per shipment than fully built bikes. A side benefit is the ability to choose (if you desire) your own frame colour and parts kit. Although we are ordering the bikes complete, we are of course happy to make any changes you would like.
Second, the box and rain covers are handmade in Portland and there are fancier versions available - like the Galleon style or the lighter weight aluminum and fabric box (again, click the link at the top for more pictures).
Finally, the gearing on the bikes is designed around riding hills (Portland has hills just like ours), making these bikes really fun to ride with a full load of kids, groceries, or deliveries.
We are hoping to have them in the store in February. Make sure you come check them out and take one for a test ride. If you are a curious parent, bring your kids and take them for a spin - they will love it!
Cheers! Keep Warm out there.
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