Dutch Cargo Bicycle

Dutch cargo bicycles, called bakfiets, have a long wooden box mounted between the handlebars and the front wheel. Until you see someone load 2 children and a week's worth of groceries into one and ride off through traffic without breaking a sweat, the whole contraption looks absurd. A linkage mechanism handles the steering so the handlebars turn the front wheel through the cargo box. After a few minutes of riding the handling feels natural despite the length. Marine plywood sealed with weather-resistant coating makes up the box, with sides low enough for a child to see over but high enough to keep groceries from sliding out. In Amsterdam and Copenhagen these bikes outnumber cars in some neighborhoods, and the infrastructure supports them with wide bike lanes and dedicated parking areas near schools and markets. At a bike shop event I rode an electric-assist version and the weight of a loaded box became almost unnoticeable, cruising at 15 mph with 2 bags of books in the front. For most daily errands it replaces a car while giving you exercise and fresh air, and the total cost of ownership over 5 years is a fraction of a car payment and insurance. Non-electric models start at about $2,500 and electric versions run $4,000-6,000, which is what holds me back. American streets aren't yet built for something this wide and this slow.