10 lessons from 4,000 miles of cargo biking

Stopping to watch the cows grazing on Davidson Mesa on the way to get groceries. Over the past two years, I’ve put more than 4,000 miles on my cargo bike, 1,000 of them in the past three months! It has become my default mode of transportation for daycare, groceries, and other errands. I think it could do the same for many families with access to good cycling infrastructure. Here are some things I’ve learned along the way: 1) You can run most errands A full Costco trip, with room to spare. Between bungee cords, panniers, a large front folding basket with high sides (so it can be folded down when strapping something larger on top of it), and the cheapest bike trailer I could find, I’ve hauled all sorts of loads. Most spectacularly, I’ve made full trips to Costco, hauling massive packages of toilet paper, dog food, and seltzer. Stopping for a snack break while pulling the trailer. 2) It can be faster than a car Between easier parking, less resistance to loading up, and plentiful…