BANZAI

Bruntsfield Area Net Zero Action Initiative

Tag: cargo bikes

  • Cargo bike library launch event

    Cargo bike library launch event

    Saturday 26th October 2024: a great time to launch the BANZAI cargo bike library. The sun was shining, the atmosphere was great, Halloween was around the corner, we enjoyed music from Freya and Dan, Callum from the Cycling Gardeners was here, Jamie from Cargo Bike Movement joined us with the Riese & Müller Packster, and we had just purchased our first community cargo bike — a Tern Quick Haul Long. The day peaked when Critical Mass arrived on Bruntsfield Links: an impressive sight with an estimated 50 cyclists in one crowd. We were happy to reward them with a hot drink and cake for their efforts every month on the quest to proclaim “We’re not blocking the traffic. We are the traffic.”

    It was exciting that so many people joined us to try out the bikes. The Riese & Müller (aptly named, since Riese means ‘giant’ in German) is big and can be a bit intimidating at first. The advantage is that it can carry lots in its front load box and children absolutely love riding in it! By comparison, the Tern is easier for novices and feels more like a standard bike. All the same, the Tern can carry a couple of children or another adult. It is great to have both two cargo bike options and we are looking forward to finding out more about what the community thinks of them!

    We are grateful to Cargo Bike Movement for lending us the Riese & Müller Packster. We could not have set up the BANZAI cargo bike library without their support and a huge load of advice. The library has also been made possible with awards from the City of Edinburgh Council Community Fund and Edinburgh Communities Climate Action Network (ECCAN).

    Performance by Dan Abrahams and Freya Rae

    Gallery of photos by Jenny Elliot 2024

  • Launching our cargo bike library

    Launching our cargo bike library

    Our launch event

    Whether you are a cargo bike pro or have never tried one, come and join us at our launch event at Bruntsfield Links (just opposite the top of Leamington Terrace), 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm, Saturday October 26th. Hop on a cargo bike, enjoy a cake and hot drink, bring the kids and let them enjoy the Halloween-themed activities. 

    Since it’s the last Saturday of the month, Critical Mass will be organising a ride from Middle Meadow Walk and we hope that they will join us in the course of the afternoon — this could be a great opportunity to find out more about their initiative.

    Here’s a map of where we will be:

    Map showing the location of the event
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/vTHXrW3x5o4ixP3b7?g_st=iw
    https://w3w.co/large.mobile.supper

    Using the library

    We still have a few loose ends to tie up before we make cargo bikes available for loan — we are aiming to go live on Monday 4th November. In the meantime, you can check out the Bike Library page where you will be able to register to be a member of the bike library and make a reservation.

    Thanks…

    We are grateful to Cargo Bike Movement for their sustained help and encouragement and to the Edinburgh Communities Climate Action Network (ECCAN) GreenLight Fund and CEC Community Grants Fund for financial support.

  • Cargo Bike Community Event: the Video!

    Cargo Bike Community Event: the Video!

    We already published a brief post on our cargo bike event from 23rd September 2023. Here’s an update for you: more photos, video footage and an explainer by the Cargo Bike Movement.

  • Forwards with Cargo Bikes!

    Forwards with Cargo Bikes!

    To cargo or not to cargo? Our cargo bike event, organised by BANZAI and the Cargo Bike Movement, turned out to be brilliant. On the afternoon of Saturday September 23rd, over 80 adults and children made their way to Bruntsfield’s Montpelier to try out a cargo bike.

    Many members of the local community visited stalls outside Boroughmuir Primary School
    Young woman setting off on cargo bike with child in the cargo seat
    The Urban Arrow Family cargo bike that was lent for the event by Cargo Bike Movement.

    Most people had never sat on a cargo bike before. There was apprehension at first. How to steer such a monstrous beast? It turned out to not be too difficult despite having to make U-turns on a narrow street. The pedal-assist electric motor gives you the power to comfortably master any hill, even with a heavy load. The end result was smiles all around and the kids loved being cargoed. 

    People would love to borrow a cargo bike if it were freely available. Guess what, they are! The Cargo Bike Movement will generously lend you one for free. Why don’t most people take up the offer? The sticking point is where to store these big machines. 

    So, to all City of Edinburgh Councillors and local politicians: please sort out cargo bike storage, as they are a fantastic way to move around the city, and families love them! Plus, it will help Edinburgh meet its ambitious net zero targets in the process.

    Complete with rain cover for the occasional dreich day
    Just pedal and the smoothie blade rotates — the very popular smoothie bike provided by Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative.
  • BANZAI Cargo Bike Community Event

    BANZAI Cargo Bike Community Event

    Have you ever wondered what it is like to ride a cargo bike? Now is your chance! Come along to the Bruntsfield cargo bike event on Saturday 23rd September, 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm — organised by BANZAI in collaboration with Cargo Bike Movement.

    There will be something for all ages:

    The event will take place on Montpelier (EH10 NA), just in front of Bruntsfield Primary School.

    Everyone welcome, young and old!