Cycling UK Forum

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?

It's going to be hard work for the riders on the hills in Ludlow!
Hopefully have rather low gears.

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.

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?

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.

Electric help and decent brakes then?

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.

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…

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

Jonathan

I think electric assist has made cargo bikes a lot more practical in a lot of places, no?

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
etc

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.

Jonathan

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.

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.

Jonathan

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?