Cargo bike culture starts early in Copenhagen. With 25% of families with two or more kids using a cargo bike to get around, it's a part of life for children in so many ways to be well-acquainted with cargo bikes. The municipality of Copenhagen estimatest that there are around 30,000 cargo bikes in Copenhagen. Copenhagenize Design Company has reached a number of 40,000, based on sales numbers and including vintage cargo bikes, in Greater Copenhagen.
That number, however, doesn't count the armadas of mini cargo bikes found at schools and kindergartens and in the backyards of flats around the region. I've just moved to a new place and we found the cargo bike, above, in the backyard. For communal use. Lulu-Sophia has taken a liking to it and gravitates to it like magnet whenever we're out playing.
Here's an even mini'er version at her kindergarten for the two to four year olds.
Here's another version in our new backyard. Perfect for pint-sized, sociable urban mobility. Big brother Felix loves giving Lulu-Sophia a ride.
In the playground at Felix's school there are many bikes for kids to play on. Here's Lulu-Sophia showing off a couple of them, above and below.
A bit too big for her, this one, but it's intended for older kids. Most of them feature a passenger seat. Because Citizen Cyclists - whatever their age - like cycling sociably.
Much like this, at the school. And these are just the tip of the iceberg regarding design and variety.
This trike, with the back bucket, is a Danish classic. Winther Bikes have been making them for 50 years and they are rather iconic in this country. The bucket at the back serves a practical purpose, of course. Carrying stuff. Which is what cargo bikes are all about.
ADDENDUM
Here are a couple more examples from the mean streets of the Danish capital. Above, heading home from kindergarten, a Copenhagen kid gets to try and ride the family's Christiania bike along the cycle tracks.
And this was spotted on my way home from picking up Lulu-Sophia from kindergarten. A mum sitting on the back rack and letting her kid get the feeling of the ride from the saddle of this Nihola.
Here's a glimpse into the secret life of cargo bike compartments. This one - one of many - was parked outside the kindergarten. All the essentials for a kid's life. Including a magic wand.
I used to use the Velorbis to pick up Lulu-Sophia from kindergarten. Well, Lulu and friends, of course.
The classic hook on the back racks of Danish bikes comes in handy when transporting a lunchbox. Although apples are doable as well - among many other things. Here's more on these hooks on our bikes.