A cargo bike carnival in the Meadows on Sunday launched a report about cargo bike use across Edinburgh, and the importance of bike libraries, hubs and other lending schemes for normalising cargo bike use across the city and the country.
Organisers hope that the biggest gathering of cargo bikes in Edinburgh ever, will meet on the Meadows for games, stalls, a play about the history of the bicycle, and a mass bike ride.
Cargo bikes combine the relatively low environmental impact of cycling with greater carrying capacity and practicality. By enabling the transportation of loads that would be difficult to carry by conventional bicycle, including children, shopping, and equipment, they can play an important role in reducing car use.
These cargo-carrying electric bikes are currently most popular amongst families with young children as they are a fun and practical way to carry children and their stuff from school to club to family outing in a fast and easy manner. They have become a much more common sight out and about in Edinburgh in the last few years.
The Scottish government had a target of a 20 per cent reduction in car kilometres by 2030 which is currently being revised. At the moment, it is off track to meet such a target – so anything that encourages a move away from private car use is valuable.
The report: ‘Carrying change: Unlocking the potential of cargo bike use in Edinburgh and the Lothians’ focuses on the different uses people have made of cargo bikes hired from the various bike libraries and hubs across the city.
It suggests how the government can support the city-wide growth in cargo bike use by taking inspiration from schemes and infrastructure development in other European cities.
Lothians Cargo Bike Network is a newly formed informal coalition of organisations that hire out cargo bikes.
Data from this group was used to write the report that has been funded by the cycle campaign organisation Spokes.
The coalition have worked together to organise Sunday’s family day out in the Meadowsand are encouraging cargo bike owners to attend and enter the ‘best dressed car.
Sasha Taylor, Bike Station CEO said: ‘Cities across Europe demonstrate how cargo bikes can be part of the solution to sustainable travel in our cities. This report has been written to capture where Edinburgh is compared to other cities and sets out recommendations to realise the potential of cargo bikes in our city.
As proud custodians of Cargo Bike Movement’s mission and vision, The Bike Station is one of many local groups providing cargo bikes within our city. This report was compiled by Calum Glen, Impact and Data Officer for The Bike Station.’
Carol from Banzai Bikes – a cargo bike library in Bruntsfield said: ‘The Cargo Bike Carnival was a fun event showcasing all the different ways cargo bikes are being used across Edinburgh right now, by families, small businesses and community organisations.
“The versatility of cargo bikes and the incredible variety of loads, equipment and of course passengers that can be transported will surprise people! As well as trying the bikes you can take part in lots of fun activities including bike games, performances, a circus bike and a big bike ride, and find out about bike lending schemes across the city.’
Jane from Porty Community Energy, that has a cargo bike library on Porty prom said: ‘Our cargo bike library on the prom is very well used throughout the year, most commonly by families looking for a fun day out.
“Hiring out a cargo bike offers a fun alternative to an outing in the car with so many great cycle routes away from the roads now available in Edinburgh. It’s great exercise, and good for every family’s health and well being.
“We have had such good feedback from our library, that we think it’s a no-brainer that government funding should be used to support such schemes’
