Chapter 11. Hauling Cargo

One of the greatest challenges of bike riding since its inception has been how to also carry stuff. A bike can transport a cyclist perfectly well. But that rider and his or her groceries—that’s another matter. Motorists take for granted how easy it is to haul cargo in a car. Heck, most of the time you can just throw whatever you’re carrying onto a seat.

Bikes are handicapped by not having a horizontal surface as standard equipment. The inherent instability of bicycles doesn’t help either. There are options, of course. For instance, cargo bikes are big, heavy bikes, usually with a wooden platform incorporated into the frame. These bikes are a lifesaver if you’ve got groceries, but what if you’re just tooling around the ...

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