Why don't Dutch families own cargobikes?
Hello everyone,
Welcome to Issue #15 of Cargobike Culture!
Its been an exciting week here in Utrecht. My daughter has two weeks holiday from school. For the first week my wife took her to Centre Parcs via cargobike, and next week I’m taking her to London by train.
They made it fine, though our bikes battery is getting old so they stopped off to recharge midway at a pancake restaurant, which obviously my daughter hated.
Next week I’ll be in London and without a computer. I’m determined to get a newsletter out, but it might just be lots of pictures of interesting London cargobikes I see. Wait and see!
Our first research project
My day job is as a user researcher. I work for organisations, normally in healthcare, and gather insights from interviews or observations to help them design products and services with their end users in mind.
The plan was always to eventually bring that approach to this newsletter, and now it’s time. With the help of my new research buddy Jessica, we’re going to be starting a new research project in the coming weeks.
Whats’ the topic
Why don’t families in Utrecht choose cargobikes?
Our research goals
To understand why families living in cities don’t choose a cargobike for their family transport solution.
To understand what vehicles and bikes they do own
To understand how they plan their family transport logistics
To understand the families regular locations they travel to, and how they get there.
Why?
In Utrecht I see a ton of cargobikes around, mostly with children in. But probably not as many as you’d think. And if there was ever going to be a city for cargobikes, I’d always thought it would Utrecht. We have the most amazing cycling infrastructure, loads of families and a lot of population is relatively well off.
I’ve got some hypothesises as to why families don’t choose them (cost, security concerns, storage space) but I think this research will help us get a little clearer picture.
The plan
Jessica and I are going to start with 6 interviews of families who don’t own a cargobike, but live in the city. Jessica is in Amsterdam, so she’ll start there and I’ll do mine in Utrecht.
After the first 6 interviews, we’ll see how it’s gone and probably do some more. Then we’ll write up our findings and bring them back to the newsletter, hopefully before the beginning of June.
(Reluctant) Twitter corner
Royal cargobikes
It was Kings Day here in the Netherlands yesterday, so I’ll ignore my republican tendencies and mention this tweet from Drew.
The Dutch elites are not afraid to yet on their bikes for a photo op, and this is no different. In a country of cyclists, its an easy way to garner some ‘we’re just like you’ vibes. At least its a cargobike though!
Other links of interest
There’s a new hire company in the Netherlands called BIYU. They offer the normal things you’d expect, like tools and carpet cleaners. But they also offer some more unusual things, like a DJ deck set. candyfloss machines, silent disco headphones. a standup paddleboard and inflatable T-Rex costumes.
Excitingly, many of the things they hire can be delivered to you by cargobike. And now you can rent the cargobike too. So if you’re in Amsterdam and need a proper electric cargobike for a day to move house, it’s an easy option.
Tiny bikes
I’m breaking my golden rule and mentioning something that isn’t about cargobikes. But its worth it. Friends of the newsletter Cycle Sprog visited the 2023 Cycle Show in London and featured this awesome balance bike in their write up.
Whys that so cool you ask? Because it’s got a disc brake!
And not just a toy one. Its actually exactly the same disc brake calliper which is on our 200kg-when-fully-loaded 4cargobike.
Over the top? Sure. But I have no complaints. I love it.
Cargobike festival
On November 24-26 2023, the International Cargobike Festival will be back in Amsterdam. This year it’s going to be co-locating with the Fully Charged show too, so they’re going to be a lot to see. Get it in your diaries!
That’s all for this week. Thanks for reading!