We knew it all along. Not just cargo bikes, any form of cycling. It’s just wonderful when you have a good solution even for two (or more) children. Shoutout to longtail bikes. Even people without children, living without traffic jams is delightful. You wake up carefree.
Deep down, you know it too. The freedom that a bike provides is unmatched.
But now, thanks to a recent study, we have the proof in black and white. The research, published in the prestigious journal ‘Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives,’ sheds new light on how the introduction of cargo bikes can fundamentally change our relationship with the car.
You Decide to Buy a Cargo Bike
Seems like a big step? Perhaps, but according to this study, it’s a step many of us are willing to take.
And once taken, there’s no turning back.
The study shows that people who start using cargo bikes significantly devalue their cars. It’s as if a new world opens up to us, a world where we are closer to our surroundings, literally and figuratively.
The cargo bike, a familiar sight in our Belgian cities, is not just used for transporting children or groceries. It’s a symbol of a conscious choice for a healthier, more sustainable, and more connected lifestyle.
This study confirms what many of us have long felt: once we take the step towards a life with more cycling and less driving, our perspective changes radically. People with a cargo bike consciously choose the cargo bike over their car, it just feels right.
But what makes the cargo bike so special? Is it the fresh air, the exercise, or the sense of community when we cycle past our neighbors? The answer is yes to all these questions. Of course, it also needs to be a reasonably good cargo bike to truly enjoy it instead of just exercising.
For me personally, it’s not being stuck in traffic. I can drive well. Everyone thinks so. But on the road, you always have to be careful. Always stay awake and analyze dangers. If it’s traffic or if we’re just standing still, the internal ‘I’m late’ clock keeps ticking. All stress. Nice way to start the day.
With cycling, it’s different. Every journey within 15 kilometers is done with the e-longtail bike. With one child, two children. I never take much longer than the car. The biggest advantage: everyone arrives at the destination in a good mood. With traffic, I’m always faster; in the rain, cars have the advantage.
Cycling also brings us closer to our surroundings: freedom, flexibility, and healthy exercise. On the bike at 25 km/h, you have time to look around. Discover new things. Listen to the children who notice everything along our route. It gives those ‘life feels good’ moments.
This article will be read by three types of people.
- People who are still facing the choice. To them, we advise: go for it!
- Cargo bike owners who read through this piece with a smile and a nod.
- And anti-cargo bikers – who have never ridden a cargo bike but secretly know that what’s stated here is true, even if they pretend to find cargo bikes terrible.
The results of the study are clear enough.
Participants reported reduced dependence on their car, increased physical activity, and an overall sense of well-being.
To those who say NO, I ask, give it a try. You don’t have to get rid of your car or anything. Just be open to trying out a cargo bike for a few shorter trips where the car is sometimes disadvantageous.
To those who are still hesitating. Just go for it. If a cargo bike doesn’t seem practical for your journeys, then the longtail bike is an answer. Cycling is fun… even in the rain (the key is your cycling gear).
