…that after two years of using the Bakfiets, in which time we’ve used it for moving everything from glass for recycling and shopping to snow clearing equipment and very large pieces of wood, people still give us odd, slightly condescending looks when we announce we’re going to use the thing for carrying anything bigger than a paintbrush?
Like when we went to help a friend who’d just got married move within the village: her old apartment was only a couple of kilometres from her new one on a flattish road* and there wasn’t that much to shift, but still people were looking at me with “Aw, cute toy bike” expression.
Well, we discovered three things:
Firstly…
…you can transport…
…more than you’d think…
…quicker than you’d think…
…using human power…
…including the bride…
…and still have time and energy to tidy up afterwards…
(Note arrow pointing at brake cable to prove this is in the Bakfiets and not just a pile of cardboard on the road)
Secondly, that even here it’s possible to find a short cut by bike, so two kilometres driving could be reduced to 500 metres, meaning I could often wave the van off, cycle to the other apartment, and be comfortably ahead of them to the point of loading the bakfiets when they finally arrived…
Thirdly, when people realise this, no matter how many times you explain that cycle lanes have barriers and the van won’t be able to get through, at least one driver will still try and follow you…
*Well, flattish for around here anyway.
10 comments
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June 11, 2011 at 2:21 pm
ben
You have excellent commitment to the bike as have omni-utility! A great little short story. My cargo-ing is limited to my panniers, not to mention quite a steep hill between my house and the rest of the world….and 8% grade for half a mile before I hit the main road.
June 13, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Andy in Germany
We have the hills too, and for that reason I’ll still drive the Xtracycle for preference, but using the Bakfiets saves a fortune in Gym membership…
June 13, 2011 at 12:31 am
Karl McCracken (twitter: @KarlOnSea)
Building my own at the moment. Just wondering what to use for the box material – I’m looking to have a machine that’ll basically live outside in the elements, and am concerned that even marine ply isn’t going to cut it here…
June 13, 2011 at 5:44 pm
Andy in Germany
Knowing your home town, I can see the problem, although the box has survived the weather here and it is made to handle sea air. Perhaps Yacht varnish would help?
June 13, 2011 at 8:20 am
livinginabox
“….people still give us odd, slightly condescending looks when we announce we’re going to use the thing for carrying anything bigger than a paintbrush”
Yet most people think nothing of jumping into their car to drive a few hundred metres in order to buy a newspaper , a paintbrush, or post a letter.
Double-standards anyone?
June 13, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Andy in Germany
It’s car culture: people don’t notice their own contradictions. I’ve passed SUV’s at the post office whose owners just drove a couple of kilometres from their home, and took longer than I did, but we all think in a box about some things and don’t realise it… Thanks for the comment.
June 13, 2011 at 11:13 pm
ndru
I too have a bakfiets and use it all the time. It’s amazing how much you can pack in there. It’s as usefull as a car and so much cheaper and more fun.
June 14, 2011 at 2:16 am
travis
Question:
Is the bride in your photo “YOUR Bride” Lara doesn’t believe it cause of her beautiful curly hair. We have never seen her with such long curly hair?
Miss you guys
Travis
June 14, 2011 at 1:27 pm
Andy in Germany
Hi Travis… No she isn’t: there’s no way My beautiful wife’s lovely long black hair would ever curl that much…
July 4, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Accidental hermit
Great documentation of a job well done!