I really like youtube for showing me how people in other countries live. Up until watching the “Not just bikes” channel I never really understood how well we have it here, cycling and infrastructure wise, in The Netherlands. This summer I have started commuting on my bike again (11 miles). It is an acoustic bike but I don’t have any kids to take along. And as long as the weather is good, I think I will keep making the effort to do so.
I think that's awesome! Until I started researching cargo bikes at the end of last year I had no idea about Netherlands bike friendly infrastructure. I have to admit, I don't think I've ever actually seen so much as a painted bike lane in real life...and "protected bike lane" was a new concept for me.
I've just finished out the first week with our new R&M Load 75 cargo bike, and it is *amazing* how much nicer it is to get around with, compared to our car. And, like what you mentioned, the kids love it (and don't get carsick!).
Yep, cycling for transportation kills several birds with one stone. I burn 700 calories on my daily ride to town for the post office, groceries, etc. I'm healthier, happier, fitter, and more relaxed. I look forward to it every day. I've started taking a longer route to town to spend more time and miles on the bike.
Haha! Just like you, I use the pedal assist in the lowest power (Eco) mode so that I can put in some work to and expend some energy. My little one is super happy to take a ride with her dad, whenever I ask her to let's to take a ride together. Looks like there's so much loads of fun to be had with the kids, with the bike!
It does have a big big big turning radius. I do plenty of 5+ point turns when I'm walking the bike and I never try to squeeze it somewhere I'm not sure it will fit. I take things very slow when pushing the bike. The only problem I remember having while riding was actually in my nature walk video with my kids (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vgDtO2l5-EM.html), where I did take a U-turn too tight and almost dumped them out...
Oh, this was a brilliant video! Just had a talk with my wife about the planned cargo bike purchase. Send it right up. P.S. note you "fry" your voice sometimes as you record. Make sure you're not replacing back pain for a sore throat 😂 Keep em coming!
Lol, thank you! I did notice that fry while I was editing, ugh. I'm going to blame spring allergies and the congestion I've had for a couple weeks now. 😊
I'm delighted you are enjoying your new cargo bike so much. I can really relate to your incidental exercise realisation. I've been following Shifter for years myself too among others. My work is very active and mentally and physically exhausting. I can be absolutely banjaxed after a hard shift. That's a lot of incidental exercise on its own. I have absolutely no interest in being a roadie and riding just for fitness or recreation. I'm a no lycra zone. But I get an enormous kick and satisfaction out of achieving something practical and tangible by commuting to work or picking up shopping using panniers and racks on my bike, or as I'm going to do tomorrow, putting on one of my bike trailers and doing a full weekly shopping plus extras. I'm getting quite a lot of additional incidental exercise just by not taking the car whenever it's practical. And it's FUN! That is the most important part. I enjoy being able to experience a slightly slower pace of life even if it takes more physical effort. And the environment and financial savings are a little bit of an incentive and bonus too. And the random and unexpected conversations I have with so many people that I wouldn't have driving a car are another bonus for me too. As well as slowing everything down even more, but in the best possible way. Although..... Not everyone gets it. Last weekend a guy I meet fairly regularly who never said boo to me himself one way or another literally attacked my sister who was visiting wanting to know, what was I doing pulling a trailer with a bike? What was the point of it?? What did I think I was doing??? Some people will see what you are doing and just can't understand from their perspective why you are doing something that is so incomprehensible to them. Perhaps even feel threatened! I'm looking forward to making a point of "bumping" into this fellow in the near future to explain to him myself what I'm doing and why. Stay safe when you're out on your very impressive two wheels and keep pushing one pedal in front of the other.
Thank you! Yeah, I really have this need to feel like I'm getting things done during the day so now that I can exercise while running errands around town. I love it! I have also gotten some looks from people who just don't get it but no one has actually said anything to me yet. Well see...
It's interesting to see the (mostly) positive changes people go through when starting to use a cargo bike as transportation. What I love the most about cargo bikes, is how much young kids seem to love when their mom or dad drives them around town or going to school. And that gives me hope for the future, because cargo-bike kids will become cyclists in the future ( I hope). I am from Amsterdam, so I think getting a cargo bike is much more obvious, then I think it is in the USA right now, but I am always happy to see Americans get on board of the cargo bike revolution. Cheers!
@@KidsAndBicycles When the cold months come, keep a log of the conditions, what you wore, and how well it worked. That way, you'll know what to wear under each set of conditions. It's easy to forget from one season to the next.
I've been bike commuting on and off most of my life, about 46 years. I love the feeling of accomplishment I get from moving myself under my own power. I also love how traffic and weather rarely affect my travel time, making bike commuting the most reliable way to get there.
Thanks for your insightful and candid videos. I have a cargo e-bike and love it for all the reasons you mentioned. However, I have never owned or even ridden a front-loader like yours so I learned a lot from your series of videos. It makes me want to try one, that’s for sure. Well done.
