Another day and another strange bike in the workshop.
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This video was life changing for me.
I'd been contemplating getting a recumbent ebike because of long covid (recumbent for POTS, ebike for exercise intolerance) and kept getting hit with sticker shock. The cheapest used recumbent I could find (500$) + DIY ebike conversion (1000$) was still looking expensive (1500$).
What the video made me realize was I was thinking about the cost wrong. The comparison point is not a cheap urban bike, the comparison point is a car. The ebike is my primary vehicle, my primary form of transportation. And it's way way cheaper than a car!
I've had my recumbent ebike for a couple of months now and it's been absolutely liberating being able to go whenever I need to go, on my own. It gives me independence and mobility during a time when I'm still really debilitated by long covid, and it's hard to understate just how major a quality of life improvement it's been.
What the video misses is the need for financial options for buying adapted & cargo bikes. If you're strapped for cash but have good enough credit there are plenty of financing options for buying a car, because our society is built around cars. 👀
But right now in North America, adapted bikes are only available to those of us who are lucky enough to cobble together the upfront cost. This is a mobility justice issue and I'd love to see more banks & credit unions start offering loans specifically for car-replacement bikes.
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Slightly off topic - but have to say, the Trek designers did their homework with their new Fetch+ 4 Cargo bike 👏👏👏 They've solved a lot of issues that we've had carrying kids and included a lot of things as standard that we've added to the Bullitt.
A few details that I really appreciate...
Reclinable seats for the kids - and with a detachable headrest for when they fall asleep. And 5 point harness as standard. Seats are also off the baseplate so less vibrations and bumps.
Box comes as standard. It is also slightly recessed by the frame to allow a ledge for kids to climb in.
Dropper and wheel lock included - both essential upgrades for us
Welded rear rack - super sturdy if putting a childseat on the rear
Optional bench seat for kids facing backwards to carry 4 kids!
Adaptors for all the main brands of baby carseats
Extra thick e-bike rotors - we seem to chew through ours
4 point contact kickstand - no more digging into mud.
Finally the Bosch system looks pretty sweet with built in phone holder and wireless charging.
Chapeau Trek. Appreciate that the Bullitt has evolved from a courier bike so it's really interesting to see what can be done when designed from scratch, thinking about transporting kids.
Would love to see some extra accessories from LvH - like a larger lightweight foam box to carry kids. They're going to start facing stiff competition from the big brands as everyone gets on the Cargo bike bandwagon.
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Car free is the way to be.
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casual dog on a BULLITT cargo bike
Colchester, 2019
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