Cargo bike deliveries

General cycling advice ( NOT technical ! )
ratherbeintobago
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Cargo bike deliveries

Post by ratherbeintobago »

Armed with today’s information about Islabikes starting a delivery service round Ludlow and being familiar with Pedal Me, albeit from the internet, I was wondering if anyone had used these services?
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Mick F
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Re: Cargo bike deliveries

Post by Mick F »

It's going to be hard work for the riders on the hills in Ludlow! :D
Hopefully have rather low gears.
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st599_uk
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Re: Cargo bike deliveries

Post by st599_uk »

I've sent things with DHL which are picked up by a small bike van thing. Works well. For sending stuff to Central London, DHL now move stuff from their warehouse to the city distribution hub by boat, then cycle the last bit.
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ratherbeintobago
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Re: Cargo bike deliveries

Post by ratherbeintobago »

Mick F wrote: 14 May 2021, 9:21am It's going to be hard work for the riders on the hills in Ludlow! :D
Hopefully have rather low gears.
I assume they’ve got electric help?
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Mick F
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Re: Cargo bike deliveries

Post by Mick F »

They'd have to.
Centre of Ludlow is at the top of the hill, so it's downhill any way you go out.
Cycled through the town a few times over the years.
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ratherbeintobago
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Re: Cargo bike deliveries

Post by ratherbeintobago »

Electric help and decent brakes then?
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Mick F
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Re: Cargo bike deliveries

Post by Mick F »

:D :D
It's not that it's very steep there, but a heavy fully-loaded bike would be difficult.

I've been there with four full panniers once, and with a heavy trailer a couple of times, and once on the Raleigh Chopper with a trailer.
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ratherbeintobago
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Re: Cargo bike deliveries

Post by ratherbeintobago »

The Urban Arrow ones PedalMe use look to have 203/220mm downhill disks on the front.

I still remember the distinctive smell of cooked brakes after riding from Heptonstall into Hebden Bridge…
Jdsk
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Re: Cargo bike deliveries

Post by Jdsk »

ratherbeintobago wrote: 14 May 2021, 10:18am
Mick F wrote: 14 May 2021, 9:21am It's going to be hard work for the riders on the hills in Ludlow!
Hopefully have rather low gears.
I assume they’ve got electric help?
"A cargo bike is essentially the modern equivalent of the traditional ”butcher's bike”. There are various styles; the one Islabikes will be using has two wheels, a large box at the front (approximately 120 cm x 70 cm) and the rider is assisted by an electric motor."

https://www.islabikes.co.uk/pages/cargo

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ratherbeintobago
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Re: Cargo bike deliveries

Post by ratherbeintobago »

I think electric assist has made cargo bikes a lot more practical in a lot of places, no?
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Re: Cargo bike deliveries

Post by Bmblbzzz »

The interesting thing is that it's Ludlow. Do Islabikes have a connection with the town? Most cargo bike services are in cities, so it'll be great if it takes off in a smaller place too. Good Sixty are a national service using cargo bikes, but there are plenty of local ones and of course proprietary one-brand services. Food generally seems a big area for delivery by cargo bike.

https://www.facebook.com/CoopCycleBristol/
https://www.goodsixty.co.uk
https://bristolindependents.co.uk/wp/wp ... 00x199.png
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Jdsk
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Re: Cargo bike deliveries

Post by Jdsk »

Bmblbzzz wrote: 14 May 2021, 1:12pm The interesting thing is that it's Ludlow. Do Islabikes have a connection with the town?
Yes, they're based in Bromfield.

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Mike Sales
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Re: Cargo bike deliveries

Post by Mike Sales »

I have noticed a cycle delivery man in Boston a couple of times. He pulls a trailer with a normal bike.
I have not seen any advertising of his business or online presence.

The only places where electricity might help in Boston are railway bidges, or a few ramps up to the Witham bank.
Last edited by Mike Sales on 14 May 2021, 1:25pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Jdsk
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Re: Cargo bike deliveries

Post by Jdsk »

ratherbeintobago wrote: 14 May 2021, 12:48pm I think electric assist has made cargo bikes a lot more practical in a lot of places, no?
Yes. And lots of other niches where human power alone isn't quite enough.

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ratherbeintobago
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Re: Cargo bike deliveries

Post by ratherbeintobago »

Mike Sales wrote: 14 May 2021, 1:17pmThe only places where electricity might help in Boston are railway bidges, or a few ramps up to the Whitham bank.
It’d help with range though?
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