The transport sector and especially private cars pose environmental, economic, and social challenges. For this reason, cargo bikes and shared mobility are considered viable alternatives for road transport. In order to understand the potential and barriers of alternative transport modes, it is essential to analyze underlying motives. Moreover, comparing sustainable alternatives (such as public transport) to cars in terms of motives has been established as a research approach (Steg, 2003). Despite increasing interest in cargo bikes and cargo bike sharing, research on this topic is relatively rare. Particularly, there exists a lack of research addressing the impact of cargo bike sharing on car ownership. Against this background, this study quantifies the car ownership reduction effect of cargo bike sharing. In addition, it is investigated how cargo bikes differ from cars with regard to the underlying motives of users which also helps understanding potential barriers. To answer these research questions, this study is based on a large-scale survey with n = 2,590 cargo bike sharing users. The results imply that cargo bike sharing has a notable impact on car ownership. In general, cargo bikes are rated superior in regard to affective, symbolic, and environmental motives as well as on flexibility and price. However, discrepancies to cars do exist in terms of other instrumental aspects (traffic safety, travel speed, comfort, weather-independence). Notably, users who reduced car ownership tend to rate cargo bikes superior compared to car-dependent users. The results imply that cargo bikes can play a marked role in reducing car dependency. Improving infrastructure and cargo bike technology as well as stimulating favorable social norms for cargo bikes have been identified as beneficial conditions that could help to leverage this potential.
“Cargo bikes are rated superior in regard to affective, symbolic and environmental motives”
This sounds like something the snobbiest bike riders would say in haha
I mean, I’d like to get a nice cargo e-bike eventually. I’m maybe a 15 minute ride from both work and the grocery store, so it’d be ideal for me. Problem is that I simply can’t afford one that can support my fat ass.
Start smaller and cheaper! A rack and inexpensive/DIY paniers will absolutely hold two bags of groceries. Try riding an occasional forgot-the-milk / fresh veggies / beer run. It’s liberating.
I bought an inexpensive cargo bike, and enjoy it greatly, but I’ve gotten a fair amount of mileage out of my older bike after putting on a simple rack.
I just got a lectric xpedition. Probably the most affordable cargo ebike. Got it so I could take my son to the park, but I’ve done a few grocery runs too. It’s my first cargo and electric bike, but I think it’s pretty great.
I’ve had some good luck with a used burley trailer. I got mine on craigslist for 100 bucks. Granted I live in one of the better bike cities in NA so there’s a solid second hand market. With my refurbished 80s mountain bike, I’m able to tow my groceries over hills without too much difficulty. Gotta love stupid easy gears. Grab a solid lock and my whole setup costs about $400. If you upgrade to an e-bike you can buy an additional hitch for the trailer and pull it with that too.
I end up going to the grocery store about once a week for two people and this setup makes that possible. Locking the bike and the cart so the wheels can’t be stolen is a bit annoying but not too bad.
Bikes are a very good solution for nearby travels (<10km), and cargo-bikes when you have kids.
We gave up the 2nd car for a cargo, it does not takes much more time than with car for trips less than 10km (work - daycare - school - groceries - park), it is easier to park anywhere without being an asshole (looking at you M. “just a minute stop on the sidewalk”), to flow through traffic during rush hours (with help of bike lanes), and it is good for your finances (no gas no insurance no parking, easy maintenance).
But we still need a car when we need to move 4 people for longer trips, and it is not for everyone, for instance my wife never ride it because she is afraid in traffic.
Other issue is the price perceived too high compared to a small used car : minimum 5k+ for an electric cargo (which you will want cause of elevation), or 3k+ for a longtail, or at least 2k for a homemade electric longtail (yuba+bafang) and you have to add the price of accessories if you hace kids (seats, rain canopy). If you want insurance it is 10% of the bike’s price so as much as a car insurance.
Most of people are not ready for the switch because the car is perceived as more convenient (safety, safe parking, can move 4-5 people + groceries at the same time, weather-proof) and don’t want to change habits, most of the time commuters are alone in their car with no groceries…
Shorten the trips and distances. The end of cars will come with big changes in how land is used.