Cargo Bikes

I’ve had so many bad incidents with kids, 2 spring to mind, in the cargo.
Cars driving at us and not moving over, cars pulling across, me telling someone to fuck off after they pulled up to patronise me.

My experiences of riding with my lad on our tagalong, tandem or singles is that I reacted really badly to bellchief driver behaviour in a way I wouldn’t do riding alone — a sort of ‘I swear I’ll do time if you harm my kid’ red mist took over. Staying calm and reasonable seemed impossible.

Started riding into town with him lately to get him used to various routes, also going to CM and other mass rides with him, and I think I’ve calmed down a bit, he’s pretty much an adult now so that may be the reason.

tl:dr = and breathe

I have noticeabley less on a cargo bike I'd say. I've had a few semi close passes that are easy to forget. Only one to shit me up was a driver getting caught out by a traffic island and having to slam on not to hit me. It was an obvious mistake and not an agressive move.
That is 1300 to 1400 miles around Surrey. I'd usually have more than that in 30 miles on a road bike in full lycra.

Cargo bikes are rare around me, and people seem to have a different attitude to people riding for transport vs leasure around here.

It’s pretty terrifying when you’re up front and at bonnet height and some bell chief is being all “lean back in the car seat, check my phone, drive with one hand”.

My eldest needs to ride more but anxiety about traffic is one of many reasons that stops her. Hills in SE London and riding with me are others.

I hope this doesn't sound patronising but has your eldest had any cycle training? It might help to build their confidence!

I also seem to get way less grief on a cargo bike than any other bike. I've only had 1 memorable run in with an aggressive driver in 5+ years of riding for a living. I wonder if it's because a cargo bike is relatively unusual so attention grabbing rather than irritating to a nobhead driver? Or maybe it's because a cargo bike looks like it could really fuck up someone's Range Rover if they cause an accident?

My eldest needs to ride more but anxiety about traffic is one of many reasons that stops her

Mine is exactly the same. And yes he has done cycle training Ltc ;-).

It’s sad though.

Yep, she’s mega skills on a bike. And super capable.
It’s about belief and desire and anxiety about getting killed/it being hard work/ getting dropped/being on the front/ etc and so on.
If you can put fix that with cycle training , that would be grand.

‘I swear I’ll do time if you harm my kid’

I rehearse this in my head a lot. And carry the locking chain even on the shortest rides.

Got you, sounds a bit harder to tackle then!

It really is! And pains me when I hear the words “I just don’t like bikes”.

It’s cold.

How old is she now? Is this rebellion? Like i hated tennis?

I sort of push my daughter to do her monthly junior dirt skills session, even if she moans about it beforehand. She always smiles after, and i bribe her hard with an ice cream, every single time, because if you pedal you get to have calories, right?

11 going on 19

Made it to Somerset. 13 hours.
Thanks @MCamb for the loan of the powerpack

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amazing!!

respect!
need a full ride report

Pedal Me are still shifting some of their older fleet of UA XLs- £4.8k incl VAT

I’m still a hungry for a Bullitt though - anyone on here thinking of selling there’s on?

I heard they lowered (or are lowering) the price to 4K inc vat. Not 100% sure but worth a look if you’re interested

Pedal Me are still shifting some of their older fleet of UA XLs

still the best bike-related purchase I have ever made!
a year in and, ignoring the obvious tax benefits, I've probably made my money back already

Nice to be able to pick up a freebie pillar drill on a whim

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bike-related purchase I have ever made!

Awesome, I am also of the opinion they’re great bikes!!

Did you get one from Pedal me? I’m hopefully going to check one out in the next week or so. Anything to look out for on a second hand e bike? Cheers

Yes, I got one from them.
The mechanics there are very trustworthy, and mine came with a sort-of warranty.
The only thing to think about before is - where will you store it! (obviously)

Good to hear thanks. In the short term not sure, once I get my new workshop sorted, it will live there!
What is your servicing plan? Will Pedal me do it or have you found a bike shop? Or is serving the same as a traditional bike? Sorry for all the questions!

I'm not sure if they still have the same deal for servicing, so best to ask nicely when you go round.