The Cargo Bike Collective Delivers
Got an appliance to move, or need someone to deliver a huge bag of dog food for you? The unusual looking bicycles of the Cargo Bike Collective might be just the thing you’re looking for.
The Cargo Bike Collective is a small but growing circle of individuals, mostly based in the Ditmas Park area, who have been meeting regularly since the start of the year. The group’s mission is to “actively utilize and promote cargo bicycles, as means of moving and providing all manner of goods and services, by and for our communities, towards a radical reduction of New York City’s dependency on automobiles.”
“It started when just a few people decided to make an initial investment in the bikes last fall, but has really become active since the start of the year,” said Joe Sharkey, CBC rider and organizer. “The group includes local business owners, families, bicycle advocates, professional couriers, and young adults engaged in local community.”
They’re looking at all the different ways they can use these cargo bikes, and at the moment, they say they’re open to moving just about anything they can, typically for donations or for free.
“We have been actively providing delivery services on a trial basis with small businesses, doing grocery delivery, collecting food scraps for compost from residences, offering moving services, recycling, and giving test rides to anyone interested in trying out our bikes,” said Joe. “The bikes can easily handle about 300 pounds, and our riders have been regularly handling inter-borough distances. Of course we love to work locally!”
They can usually arrange for a bike and rider to be available any time, if given a day or two’s notice.
“Obviously as our collective organizing efforts evolve, constraints and boundaries will arise,” he added.
They are currently working on a structure for cargo bike rental or use. They also have relationships with cargo bike distributors, and are happy to demonstrate and advise people who are interested in borrowing or buying.
“The details of how much and how long are still being worked out,” Joe said, “but for the moment the best way to get use of the bikes is to get involved and help the collective grow!”
If you’re interested in learning more about the collective, you can attend one of their open weekly meetings, currently being held at Juice Pedaler (154 Prospect Park Southwest) at 10am on Fridays. They’re also holding a benefit dinner on Saturday, March 16 at 6pm at La Huasteca, 1217 Church Ave — the dinner is $20, and you can try out some of the bicycles. They’re also raising money for a new, more locally-made bike frame; if you’d like to make a donation, you can do so through PayPal to jcsharkey@yahoo.com, and be sure to note “frame” in the donation.
For more info, find them on Facebook and Twitter, or contact nyccargobikecollective@gmail.com or 347-762-4534.
Photos via the Cargo Bike Collective