Biking-by-the-Bay, Cargo Style–Carrying Children, Too

The practicality and multiple benefits of bicycling are making it more popular all the time, and there’s a new generation of bikes for carrying cargo, and children!

Maybe you’re thinking:  nice idea, but there’s not enough room on a bike to substitute it for a vehicle.  You may be surprised what’s possible.  Be inspired bythe Harrison family (AKA Pedouins) biking through Monterey on their quint bike.  Then check out the photos in today’s story at Tree Hugger on biking with kids and cargo.  As further evidenced by National Public Radio’s four-minute story on cargo bicycles by Deena Prichep last December, cargo bike popularity isn’t growing only in mild-weather locales, but nationwide.

Think cargo bikes are a fleeting novelty, mostly for parents and little kids?  When my 21-year-old was young, I loved having a bike trailer (pictured below).  I’d head off down the bike path with her in tow, all snuggled in with dolly.  Behind her bench seat, in the separated cargo section, there was plenty of room for hauling stuff.  When she outgrew the trailer, I passed it along to another family.  Lately I’m wishing I’d kept it—especially when I’m doing a farmers market run, and my eyes are bigger than my daypack.

Grandma saw it was fun and asked to borrow my Burley trailer! Here she is, biking on Monterey's trail.

Prichep’s NPR story quoted Andy Clarke of the League of American Bicyclists.  Clarke pointed out that bicycles as urban freight carriers are a largely untapped resource.

Right here in the Monterey Bay region, cargo bikes are already being tapped by successful business people.  They use bicycles to take care of business, and by keeping another vehicle off the road, they’re also taking care of this beautiful place.

Beyond that, as a seamless part of their workday, they’re getting outdoor exercise.  And that frees up more of their pre- and post-work time—those hours when many people struggle to fit in some exercise.

Cargo cycling on Cannery Row…

Breathing in that fresh Monterey Bay air as he biked must have put that big smile on this cyclist’s face!  The cyclist is Isidro Bassaro, who runs the Cannery Row Deli.

Isidro Bassaro, just back from a supply run, in front of his Cannery Row Deli. (Photo courtesy of David Lang.)

Isidro’s “House Specialties”—Lemon Garlic Grilled Chicken Salad, French Croque Monsieur, and Pan Bagna—could be dubbed “Fresh Air Specialties.” Surely part of what makes them special is having ingredients whisked along in the ocean breeze by bike before reaching his kitchen!

Whether it’s a result of that happy ride  or other magic Isidro works in the kitchen, the meals at Cannery Row Deli are nurturing.  And as you can see those meals are prepared by someone who is mindful of health-building practices—for personal health and the health of the planet.

The  Cannery Row Deli is easy to find.  It is directly on the bike path/multi-use trail, just above the bayside Monterey Plaza Hotel. Eat indoors or on their deck, or call ahead for carry-out.    (Contact info provided below.)

And across the bay, on Pacific Avenue…

Think Isidro is the only boss out there operating a successful business partly with bicycle power?  He’s in good company, including that of Jeremy Neuner, cofounder of Next Space.

Jeremy, a former  Economic Development Manager for the City of Santa Cruz, cofounded NextSpace with former Santa Cruz Mayor Ryan Coonerty (at present, vice-mayor) and attorney Caleb Baskin.  NextSpace is an entrepreneurial catalyst and coworking center on Pacific Avenue  in downtown Santa Cruz.

Jeremy, like Isidro, apparently has it figured out that doing a supply run is a perk of being a person in charge.  Maybe he could find someone else to pick up NextSpace supplies, but he wants to go on that bike ride!  CEO duties may call, but the bike ride calls louder.

Besides, too many hours on the phone or at the computer make for a stale brain, and the talented individuals at NextSpace are known for innovation.  Jeremy’s gotta keep his blood oxygenated so his own fresh ideas can run freely.  How else is he gonna keep up with those tech wizards and other luminaries back at the office?

Jeremy Neuner:  “Hey, I may be CEO, but I still wanna do the supply run today!”  (Photo courtesy of Next Space.)

How to get in touch with these energetic leaders

Sometimes a business leader reasons that the best tech ap for the job is a high tech solution.  Other times, they know that the most appropriate solution is very low tech, like a cargo bike!

Have questions about using a cargo bike that you’d like to ask Isidro or Jeremy?  Well, you could flag them down on the bikeways!  They do look like they’re out for a joy ride, though they may be biking on deadline.  (Looks like Jeremy has some pretty critical supplies to get back to the NextSpacers.)  So contact them both at their usual places of business:

Cannery Row Deli, 101 Drake Street, Monterey, CA 93940; (831) 645-9549.  Located directly on the bikepath/multi-use trail at Cannery Row & Drake, across the street from the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa.

NextSpace, 101 Cooper Street, Santa Cruz, CA  95060; (831) 420-0710.  Located at Pacific Avenue and Cooper Streets, above the Pacific Garden Mall.

And if you live nearby, you might wanna give them your shopping list.  You know.  Maybe these busy guys have time to just pick up a few more things?

No?  Well then…

What about you?

Monterey County

Maybe you’re up for a cargo bike! Check with local bike shops to see what advice they may have regarding your cargo-carrying needs, and what they have in stock or  can order for you.  In Monterey County, shops include:

• Monterey: Aquarian or Joselyn’s.
• Seaside: Sports Center Bicycles.
• Pacific Grove: Winning Wheels, 318 Grand Avenue, Pacific Grove; phone 831/375-4322 (no Web site at present).
• Salinas: Bear Bikes, Bobcat Bicycles, J and J Skate and Cycle.
• Check out the “Bicycle Shops, Services, Clubs, and Resources” page for other possibilities.

Elsewhere

If you live in a remote area and need to order online, check out a business that specializes in cargo carrying, such as BikeTrailerShop.com.  Their website has a resource list too, including their own Bike Trailer Blog.

For more inspiration, see Tree Hugger’s photos of cargo bikes, or Santa Barbara’s Wheel House site.  There are lots of other sources too, including bike sites like Cyclelicious, that help show the wide variety of cargo bikes available today.

What to do if you can’t bike it yourself

Maybe there’s a reason why you simply can’t, or don’t wish to, do business or home errands with a bike right now.  And yet, you like the idea, in theory.  Is there an alternative?  There sure is.  Make use of a bicycle courier or delivery service!

Monterey County

On 12/8/09, I had the pleasure of getting acquainted with Monterey native Mikey Baroni, after seeing a poster for his business in a Lighthouse Avenue retail window.  I was delighted to learn that Baroni has a bicycle courier/delivery service, Green Pedal, serving Del Rey Oaks, Marina (including CSUMB), Monterey (including the Ryan Ranch Industrial Park off Highway 68), Sand City, and Seaside.  Green Pedal’s rates are very reasonable.  Check out Green Pedal’s new website or call Mikey Baroni, Green Pedal – 831/920-8181.

Santa Cruz County

Up in Santa Cruz, our northern neighbors have bike couriers/messengers PedX, also known as Pedalers Express, and Clutch Courier Service.

These bike couriers are all doing their part to keep the Monterey Bay air cleaner.  Join them on the bikeways, or give them a call and send them cycling on your behalf.

Note:  This post was revised and updated from a post originally published on  2/12/09.