By PHUONG LE
By PHUONG LE
Associated Press
SEATTLE — One fisherman uses a bike to deliver hundreds of pounds of salmon to local markets. A mom who regularly shuttles her two kids around town once tried to haul a twin mattress home. And some companies are using the bikes to deliver beer kegs or pick up recycling.
Cyclists are pushing the limits of what they can haul on cargo bikes — sturdy two-wheelers built to haul lots of stuff. The so-called SUVs of bicycles are increasingly popular in pedal-friendly communities, from Washington state to Massachusetts.
Families are using the bikes to do everything they did on four wheels — schlepping kids to school, hauling groceries or running errands — without the hassle of finding parking. Some do it to help the environment in a small way or get exercise, while others said it is an easier, more fun way to get around.
“(Our) bike has turned into our go everywhere minivan,” said Julian Davies, a Seattle physician who regularly hauls his two kids in a cargo bike.
Companies also are using bikes to deliver beer around Portland, Ore.; collect recycling in Cambridge, Mass.; or pick up dirty laundry in Philadelphia.
Cargo bikes are common in countries such as Denmark and The Netherlands, but they’re catching on in the U.S. Companies such Xtracycle, Yuba and Metrofiets are catering to this niche, while major bike makers such as Trek are also developing their own lines.