The Life-Sized City Blog

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 ...

Thanks to Alex in NYC for letting us know about Worksman Cycles . He was doing a bit of research about NYC's pizza delivery bikes - the ones with a box on the front - and stumbled upon this company. Founded in 1898, Worksman Cycles call themselves the oldest bicycle manufacturer in the USA. They produce human-powered transport for industrial and recreational use and it is wonderful to see all the cargo bikes and trikes they build. The photo above is from their Photo Gallery , featuring an IBM repairman ca. 1957 on his cargo bike. Here's an interesting variation on the kid carrying theme. I love the cosy canopy. Worksman Cycles state on their website that " Worksman Cycles has long been known as the world-leader in Industrial Cycles (Bicycles and Tricycles) ". A bit farfetched perhaps... what is the yardstick? Most bicycles sold? The most recognisable cargo bike brand in marketing surveys? Who knows. Maybe they could follow Carlsberg's lead. Their 'Probably th...

Living Legend , originally uploaded by [Zakkaliciousness] . This chap is a Copenhagen legend. He rides his trike all over the city every day, visiting a long line of cafés and bars. He sells nature stamps - not postage, just decoration for your envelopes - to support a charity... can't remember which. Everyone I know has had the plastic folders with nature stamps in them thrust towards them while in town. Such a dedicated chap. He rides 30 or kilometres a day to a rotating list of cafés and bars. Remember that the next time you whine about a headwind... :-)