Love cycling and want to see just how far you can push your two (or three) wheels? Or maybe you’re searching for a smarter, more eco-friendly way to navigate busy streets for school runs or business logistics. Cargo bikes offer a surprising amount of versatility, and at Outspoken Cycles, we don’t just sell and repair them, we rely on them for our own business, too, putting them through real-world cargo bike testing every day.
Since 2012, we’ve been using cargo bikes for Dr. Bike fleet servicing at local businesses around Cambridge. Our mechanics have no problem transporting heavy tools, parts, and even a gazebo, the cargo bikes do all the heavy lifting!
Putting Cargo Bikes to the Test
This year, we upped the ante! With expert packing skills and plenty of bungee ties, we delivered one of our pedal-powered events entirely by bike for the first time! During the University of Cambridge Judge Business School’s Ecosystem Week, we transported everything needed for a Smoothie Bike activation on the back of a Carla Cargo bike trailer, from the smoothie bike to the bananas.
Since then, we’ve taken it further! At the Cambridge Criterium, five cargo bikes carried two pedal-powered activities, including a 2m Cycle Sprints dial, a 2x3m Scalextric table, five push bikes, two gazebos, 16 weights, and more. A combination of Carla Cargo, Urban Arrow, and Larry vs Harry bikes handled the load with ease, proving that with electric assistance and smart packing, there’s almost nothing they can’t transport.
While this might not be your first thought when considering a cargo bike, we’ve been consistently amazed by their adaptability in everyday business use. With electric assistance and front-loading capacities typically holding between 100–180 kg, alongside larger models that can manage up to 300 kg, they provide incredible flexibility.
When our office needed a revamp, our General Manager didn’t hesitate to load up a cargo bike with a 2.4m worktop and laptops. No car was necessary, just a cargo bike and some determination!
Outside of work, our team members have even used cargo bikes for wild camping trips or to transport their grandchildren around Cambridge. The fun and flexibility they offer seem endless.
No Car Necessary: Integrating Cargo Bikes into Your Business
Cargo bikes aren’t just for the last mile of logistics, they can easily integrate into your business’s daily operations, from deliveries to event setups. With front-loading capacity, trailers, and larger models, they can carry up to 300 kg, making them a powerful and eco-friendly solution.
Curious about how cargo bikes could help your business? Whether for fleet services or event setups, we’d love to help you explore their potential. Get in touch today to see how cargo bikes can transform your business logistics.
