SEATTLE (AP) — One fisherman uses a bike to deliverhundreds of pounds of salmon to local markets.
A mom who regularlyshuttles her two kids around town once tried to haul a twin mattresshome. And some
companies are using the bikes to deliver beer kegs orpick up recycling.Cyclists are pushing the limits of
what theycan haul on cargo bikes — sturdy two-wheelers built to haul lots ofstuff. The so-called SUV of
bicycles are increasingly popular inpedal-friendly communities, from Washington state to
Massachusetts.Familiesare using the bikes to do everything they did on four wheels —schlepping kids to
school, hauling groceries or running errands —without the hassle of finding parking. Some do it to help
theenvironment in a small way or get exercise, while others say it’s aneasier, more fun way to get
around."(Our) bike has turned intoour go everywhere minivan," said Julian Davies, a Seattle
physician whoregularly hauls his two kids in a cargo bike.Companies also areusing bikes to deliver beer
around Portland, Ore., collect recycling inCambridge, Mass., or pick up dirty laundry in
Philadelphia.Cargobikes are common in countries like Denmark and The Netherlands, butthey’re catching on in
the U.S. Companies such Xtracycle, Yuba andMetrofiets are catering to this niche, while major bike makers
like Trekare also developing their own lines.It’s still in the earlyadopter phase, but "it’s picking up
steam," said Andy Clarke, presidentof the League of American Bicyclists. "It’s a reflection of the
growingutility of cycling, and the propensity to use bikes for more and moreactivities. It’s giving people
more options and flexibility."Cargobikes can refer to any bike that hauls heavy loads. Many models out
noware built to handle multiple people or loads up to about 400 pounds on asingle frame. They can be a foot
or two longer than typical bikes, andare often outfitted with a wheelbarrow-like box or shelf, in front
orback. Some cost between $1,000 and $5,000."If you want to parkyour car, this is the way to go,"
said Joel Grover, co-owner of SplendidCycles in Portland, Ore. The shop opened four years ago mostly to
sellto businesses, but quickly began catering to families who wanted wheelsto handle more than one
kid."We’re reaching a point where all these cities are encouraging people to go places by bike,"
co-owner Barb Grover said.Seattledad Davies has logged about 2,000 miles on his cargo bike. A rain coverand
electric assist helps him power through Seattle’s rain and hillyterrain. His two young kids sit in a large
front box built between thehandlebars and front wheel.It’s more convenient to take the bikefor errands
because it’s easier to park, he said. But he enjoys thesocial aspect of being able to chat with his kids as
he rides.MadiCarlson, 41, regularly schlepps her two young kids along with theirbikes on her pink long-tail
bike, which has kids seats mounted over therear of the bike. The three usually cover about 10 miles a day,
ridingbetween school, home, playdates and errands.The Seattle momconsiders it a challenge to carry absurd
loads. She once tried to haul abox spring mattress, and made it six blocks before she had to call herhusband
for a lift."That damn box spring," she laughed. "That’sone of the problems with cargo bikes.
You just want to carry bigger andmore exciting loads. You just want to see what you can do."As
forsafety, Carlson said she bikes slowly and defensively and sticks todedicated bike paths where possible.
"I worry a lot more about accidentsin the car," she said.Randy Swart, director of the
BicycleHelmet Safety Institute, said he hasn’t seen studies on cargo bikesafety, but "most of them seem
very stable." He added: "From what I’veseen, not from scientific evidence, they seem like a pretty
reasonablesolution for carrying kids."The American Academy of Pediatricsguidelines recommends not
taking infants under a year old on bicycles.It says children should ride in a bicycle-towed child trailer,
wearhelmets and be strapped in. It warns of risks of serious injury whencarrying a young child on a
bike.Delivering salmon by bike hasbeen good publicity for Rick Oltman, whose company bikes can be spottedin
Port Townsend, Wash., near Seattle."People wave. We have hugefan clubs," said Oltman, owner of
Cape Cleare Fishery. "It’s not to savethe world. It’s mostly that we enjoy bicycling. My butt was
gettingflat sitting in a white van and I didn’t want to do that anymore."Carlson’s enthusiasm has
caught on. Two friends have bought similar cargo bikes and have started riding."Sometimes just seeing
one person do it plants a seed," she said.Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rightsreserved. This
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