Making the case for cargo bikes
Posted on 27 Apr 2009
Zaynan Lythgoe set-up Practical Cycles two years ago as a shop specialising in cargo bikes. Below he talks about his experiences and makes the case for this niche as a new opportunity for cycle retailers.
Influence and inspiration for Practical Cycles has been drawn from previous holidays to the USA and Scandinavia. These were when I was in a 'proper' job.
I now know that I had the idea a long time ago and the holidays were loosely disguised research trips - I just didn't want to own up to it at the time (knowing that by giving up my day job I was heading for several years of financial hardship, hard work and low margins!) It's proving to be worth it though.
We feel that Longbikes, Cargo Bikes - call them what you want - have the potential to break through in the same way that the fixed gear/ commuter market has done in the past few years. It might not happen this year but in another 18 months or so we feel that there will be many more utility bikes on the roads and cycle paths of the UK.
The Guardian are talking about cargo bikes
Traditional bike retailers have tended to shy away from the sort of bikes we sell because they are on the fringes, expensive and too large to hold in stock or display. That's to our benefit. We have honed our knowledge of these bikes and believe that there is a growing market of people who want to use their car less for the journeys that a 'regular' bike can't do but a cargo bike can.
We believe that it is a viable option to sell our bikes over the Internet. We try and ship our bikes as complete as we can to avoid cycle novices making assembly mistakes or having the hassle of turning up at their local bike shop with the proverbial bike in a box.
We also have a real world presence so that customers can try before they buy - we are perhaps the UK's first longbike 'studio'. We operate as a come-at-a-time-to-suit-you 'shop' rather than a mon-sat 9-5.30 business. When you are selling unusual bikes - you need to find the best way to serve your customers and we believe this is it.
Our plans for the future include our own range of cycle clothing - Practical Cyclewear! We believe that utility/everyday cycling can be done in jeans and t-shirts. It can also be done in Lycra af you want but that is not functional, comfortable or pleasant to look at! Our clothing will perform in all the ways you would expect clothing designed for the UK elements to do but it will look 'normal' and will only (wherever Practical) use 100% natural fibres and fabrics.
So, with our ever growing range of bikes (we are awaiting the first Madsen Cargo Bikes to enter Europe - a Practical Cycles exclusive!) and our range of sensibly styled cycle specific clothing, we embarking on building a one stop shop for the utility rider lifestyle.
We look forward to more cycle retailers entering the cargo bike category as it can only help grow the sector and bring it to the people who have no idea about the shapes and sizes of bikes that exist beyond Halfords display.
Have you got news or views you would like to share? Let us know
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