The NYC Cargo Bike Revolution: More Families take to the Streets

If you've lived in New York City for a long time, you'll realize there are many more cargo bikes cruising the streets! It used to be rare you'd see one, but the last five years their presence has undoubtedly been on the rise and since Covid-19 hit in 2020 there has been a dramatic uptick for many reasons you will hear.
Back in May I decided while I was out covering other events I would find a way to fit in talking to the many families using cargo bikes in NYC and why. Sometimes it would be a tweet out just to meet me at an event I was already shooting but other times it was a completely random meet up. The comments here are really just the tip of the iceberg as several interviews didn't make the final cut. Propel Bikes, whose founder Chris Nolte we talked to, has done some cool features on KZbin but not much else out there from the NYC universe.
It's not often I do films over 10 minutes, but there is a lot of joy, information and family-fun packed into this Streetfilm and well worth the 13 minute view time. Also: for fairness I will divulge that we are a two-cargo bike family - I have owned a Workcyles FR8 since my son was born and my wife Fatima obtained a Tern bike in 2021. (She previously also had a Taga for a few years for my son's first bike riding experiences.) If you ask either of us we can extoll the many benefits for you and your kid(s) being al fresco commuting, exercising, meeting friends or shopping.
Much thanks to Jeff & Madeleine Novich (she is on Instagram at @Cargobikemomma) for gathering an initial pod meet up for an open street on 103rd Street in Manhattan. A few of these folks also appear in that Streetfilm which you can view here: • Joy on 103rd Street: T...

[@jonobuckley3215]

Great video. Thank you. “Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race.” H.G. Wells

[@torrawel]

Let's make New York New Amsterdam again! 😂😊😁 Congratulations!! You're on the right way! Particularly nice to hear that you are indeed saving a lot of time. That's exactly why good bikes and good bike infrastructure is essential for good cities. Good for bikes, pedestrians AND, yes, even good for cars. All the best from "Old" Amsterdam (ps: not the cheese 😉🤣)

[@KJSvitko]

Every child and adult should own a bicycle and ride it regularly. Healthy exercise and fossil fuels free transportation. Support clean air to breathe. Ride a bicycle. Ask a local business to support bicycle parking spaces.

[@MnMPeace]

As someone born and raised in LA I’m extremely jealous of New York. I wish our city was more bike friendly.

[@evster7flick]

Going back to the city’s Dutch roots, I love it.

[@yellfire]

They didnt have bikes in the 17th century. Im pretty sure

[@DSP16569]

@@yellfire The Draisine ("Dandy Horse") was invented 1817 - so no bikes before 🙂

[@lisaorman6595]

Thanks for this uplifting, gleeful video!! We all need a little joy right now. Kids, bikes, and giggles. The best!

[@robertboender5816]

Time for a mayor investment in bicycle infrastructure and underground parking space.

[@xchopp]

I see what you did there! Did you see Eric Adams on his bike recently? Looked awesome.

[@DSP16569]

Or a multi store bike parking building, when cheaper and faster to build.

[@liamness]

I wonder if cargo bike hire would somewhat mitigate the parking issues (I am from the UK, we have some schemes ran in cities here by the companies Beryl and Cargoroo). There probably isn't room for every family to store their own cargo bike on the street. But buildings should be putting in dedicated space for bike storage, definitely. And that space should be capable of storing cargo bikes (and I have seen them being used to store things like wheelchairs and buggies too).

[@robertboender5816]

@@liamness don't think so but there are busines opportunities in creating parking space for bikes.

[@miles5600]

underground parking probably won't happen in NYC for the next 12 years since digging in the city is really dangerous since nobody knows that's under the soil. it's weird but that's also the reason why NYC stinks so badly, because they don't have any underground refuse dumpsters.

[@qolspony]

Having secured bike parking is EVERYTHING! It is one of the reason why many like myself don't use my bike for shopping.

[@liokin229]

Until then I’d recommend two u locks. One thru back wheel and seat tube to what ever you’re locking to, then the other to secure ur front wheel to ur frame. I live in center city Richmond VA and haven’t gotten anything stolen in a year doing this.

[@qolspony]

@@liokin229 How long were you away from the bike? And was it an ebike?

[@liokin229]

@@qolspony I usually leave it for an Hour or two at most. Usually much shorter though.

[@FrietjeOorlog]

Some of these bikes wouldn't be considered cargo bikes in the Netherlands. They'd just be 'a bike'. One with an adult, three kids, and a crate on it. No biggie. A pretty common sight in any city. Those bigger kids would also have been on their own bikes for years now. But I understand the hesitation considering the lack of proper biking infrastructure on display in this video. Oof.

[@jarperhones5364]

It's unfortunate that most of America is like this, but our world is growing and changing, and i'm excited for it!

[@miles5600]

@@jarperhones5364 the main reason why america is getting pulled in this drastic life transition is because the world is slowly losing baby boomers and more power going to gen x and gen z and whey can search anything on the internet and they both are a generation that's open to change and exciting things.

[@ChipsHouse777]

Super cute video and everyone looks so happy!

[@StreetfilmsCommunity]

I love everyone in this video. (Including myself I guess)

[@lovemadeinjapan]

Great video, speed benefits must be huge in NY. We ourselves are late to the party, got a cargo bike last week, but better late than never. Getting an electric cargo bike is life changing. Really started to loathe the city last months when pre-covid jams were returning, being stuck in traffic with our car again. Buying the bike really changed our life. The thing is you know you will do 25km/h on average, no matter the time of day or weather conditions. Rush hour and jams, you zip straight through it on a totally independent infrastructure, often in a much greener and more silent route. Drizzle, late and cold, no problem, you still grab the bike to bring kids to sports at night. 25km/h door to door speed will beat most car trips. You can park everywhere, never tickets. And every ride is a sports activity. People have no clue. There is like 100 Tesla's in our neighbourhood, and maybe 5 cargo bikes. The Tesla owners have no idea. I get 20 times the range out of the battery and do my city rides equally fast with 1/10th the traffic lights.

[@in551125do]

Brings a smile to my face...!! used to live in NYC before returning home to "old Amsterdam"...congratz New Amsterdam...!!!...enjoy....!!

[@insertyourquarters]

This is beautiful.

[@rutanmedellin]

NYC learning from European bike culture ! that is cool

[@bikequestwithmikewest]

Awesome video, I love seeing how many families are out on cargo bikes! As I’m sure you are all aware, those parking protected bike lanes could use an upgrade that keeps the bike lanes clear through self enforcement!

[@liamness]

Just swapping the parking and the bike lane around, so the parking "protects" the bike lane instead of vice versa, would be useful. A quick, cheap and effective measure. Then proper segregation can come when the road next requires major works, e.g. resurfacing.

[@LMvdB02]

A key or brick always helps

[@timfreeman2603]

I built a couple cargo bikes when I had twins. Got attention 8y ago 🇦🇺 but more common now which is great.

[@robertogreen]

really interested to see how much amazon is willing to push to expand their cargo bike deliveries, and if UPS is ready to follow suit.

[@StreetfilmsCommunity]

This might be Cargo Bikes NYC Part 2! Already have footage and some comments from folks about that. But nothing in depth.

[@cyrilleleb.8563]

Cargo bike's delivery is only for "the last km". It's a good step, but it doesn't address the real ecological problem of this kind of consumption.

[@ttopero]

@@cyrilleleb.8563 that’s like saying the last km is free of any costs or externalities so we shouldn’t bother. EVERY part of the supply chain deserves to be upgraded. Reducing local congestion, parking wars, pollution, wear & tear, permanent spaces for cars, etc are all worth improving last mile/km options!

[@cyrilleleb.8563]

@@ttopero I'm just saying that we must remain vigilant and not fall into some trap of green washing.

[@qubafootbag]

Greetings from Warsaw, we can see similar trends here, the revolution is getting closer :)

[@goutes1231]

I love this, living in south Florida it’s taking a looong time to make the streets more bike friendly.

[@BikeStuffPDX]

Thank you for posting this video, it's great to see all these families biking around. People who are single also use cargo bikes here in Portland OR!

[@drivestorage1779]

the dad who brought hot chocolate for his kids. That's a superhero.

[@natalioalbertohernandezcas3491]

HAPPIEST TIMES COMING AGAIN. IT IS THE HAPPINESS REVOLUTION.

[@liokin229]

This is why I’m studying urban planning

[@knarf_on_a_bike]

This is the way civilized people move through the city. Just beautiful!

[@robertlee8805]

Wow! Loving this concept. We need more bike/walk bridges through out the country. That's INFRASTRUCTURE. Money well spent.

[@KJSvitko]

Every city needs to be a bicycle city. Speak to your local transportation planner and local elected officials to encourage more safe, protected bike lanes and trails in your community. Send them a bicycle video. Protected bike lanes need to be designed into any street renovation project.

[@ghz24]

It's a law here.

[@ArtHistoryNstuff332]

If this nation embraced the bicycle as a legit mode of transportation, rather than just a toy or a recreational activity, I would ride mine everyday, everywhere.

[@PhilipSalen]

Incredibly inspiring! More 🚲 and less 🚗 in NYC is fantastic!

[@tammielisa]

This needs to happen all over the country

[@lyssasletters3232]

Thank you so much for sharing this uplifting video! More videos about the progress that has been made!!!

[@StreetfilmsCommunity]

So glad you enjoyed it. As you can probably tell I had a lot of joy making it and being around such wonderful families!

[@MrSquareart]

Very very nice video!!!!!!!!!!!

[@een_schildpad]

This is amazing!!! So much fun! It's amazing what those bicycles can carry 🎉

[@woowar]

guys what an inspiring and uplifting film - it makes me so happy to see communities transformed with better and more sustainable transport options, and you might have just persuaded me to get a cargo bike too!

[@garyp.7501]

e-cargo bikes have been a game changer. That and ebikes in general. Here in San Diego there are lots and lots of hills, ebikes solves that.

[@DSP16569]

Same for me in Germany: When I buyed my first "Pedelec" (Pedal-Electric the German name for Class1 (I think it'S class 1 in the US) bicycles with support but no throttle) I lived on a hill near a narrow river valley and usually drive with car (2km (1.2mls) downhill and then 16km (10mls) in the only existing main road through the city to work. The road was literally a 24/7 traffic jam. But the "I could use a bicycle but the uphill at the end back" - Argument was a good one to not use the bike. I then bought my first Pedelec in 2011 and the argument wasn't valid anymore. Instead of siting 1hr in my car in the traffic jam, I used the bike and drove at the bike lane direct at the river crossing the city park (Fresh air, no cars) and needed additionally less time for the "ride".

[@garyp.7501]

@@DSP16569 That's great! Most of the USA does not have separated bike paths, San Diego included, and the roads are only safe when the traffic is so heavy that cars can't drive the speed limit. (which are too high for safe bicycling)

[@ricardogomesbarbosa8539]

Congrats! Excellent video. Our family is proud to be part of it.

[@CEOako]

Bikes are not for luxury, it is simply a mode of transportation from point A to point B. It is very practical. Even though I have a car, I always use my bike for commuting.

[@saranbhatia8809]

Way forward!

[@lordsleepyhead]

New York turning back into New Amsterdam. You love to see it!

[@greenmachine5600]

Amazing

[@robertlee8805]

Really GLAD I found this channel. Making me feel much better about the world. Thanks StreetFilms.

[@StreetfilmsCommunity]

Our job has been fulfilled! (you have 1,000 more films you can watch, so keep feeling good!)

[@SeanSmith66]

Love it.

[@Harry_16710]

Love it - great video! 🚴

[@StreetfilmsCommunity]

Thanks! 😀

[@KD7ETH]

I wish we could do this here in Phoenix, Az!

[@basdebruin2355]

Chris Nolte is a hero! I have seen a lot of his videos from the Netherlands way of transport and he makes your cities nicer and healthier as well! A job very well done. Being Dutch myself… 👍👍👍👍😋

[@edjonatchick]

Nice video! Thanks for posting!

[@smarkasmc]

😀👍

[@Mario-yt7ni]

I have been riding cargo bikes for two years in everyday life. Wonderful! I am soon 30 years old and come from Germany. Here it is hard as a cyclist. The automobile lobby is very strong. The population does not want to be physically active. For myself, riding a cargo bike means being free, in the fresh air and in motion. I feel psychologically and physically much better since then :-) Meanwhile, it has become a habit with other Cargobike drivers to make an annual vacation trip. Networking :-) I hope for car-free city centers and more subsidies. My bike cost 10k€ and was not subsidized 1 cent. Is an S-pedelec, so 45km / h. They are mostly not promoted. But an electric plugin Porsche got 9k€ subsidies and just meets the maximum requirements. Insane. Peace and Love ;-)

[@lovemadeinjapan]

One benefit. In an electric Porsche you are seen as a dick, but on the cargo bike you turn heads around. Happy peddeling!

[@woutervanr]

That 2nd sadle on the workcycle is normal? I've only ever seen the special seats they put over the handles bars in the Netherlands.

[@helenooft9664]

That is great to see more people are on bikes, like in my country the Netherlands it is ok, now more protected bikelanes, good luck.

[@parmentier7457]

New York becomes New Amsterdam again...

[@user-lg1gj3li9j]

I love biking. When I lived in FT. Myers Florida I was able to ride my bike from N. FT. Myers 26 miles out to the beach and have a secure place to park my bike. I was actually able to beat my friends to the beach on my bike and them in their car. After moving to Georgia I have a hard time biking because there aren't any bike paths like there were in Florida. I actually gave up on a car in Florida but here in Georgia you take your life in your own hands with the crazy narrow streets, hills and horrible drivers who don't move over to go around bike riders. I truly wish it was made a priority in cities so you aren't made to be dependent on vehicle transportation.

[@basdebruin2355]

From the Netherlands point of view…. Good good good good 👍👍👍👍 that was getting time! Next item… stop the use of mobiles on bikes as well!!!! That safes more casualties as well. Job very well done.

[@Pelsjager]

Encouraging to hear it's not 'special' anymore! Once (cargo) cycling becomes normal and mainstream, the next step in cycling mode share and infrastructure can be made :)

[@ttopero]

Would you do a follow up video on how owners of these store & manage their cargo bikes at home, especially with apartments?

[@StreetfilmsCommunity]

At this point I will not be. I expended enough time just squeezing this in as a bonus film between all of my other work. However, I will tell there is an interest to the owner of Propel Bikes, who is interviewed the film. They have done a number of videos on cargo bikes. They may even already have something on that - look them up on KZbin, they have a channel.

[@SeanLumly]

Bikes make sense: zero insurance, zero fuel cost, cheap (even for the expensive models), great exercise, stress reliever, safe, quiet, reliable, great for the environment, lower public costs dramatically, and children love them! And cargo bikes can easily carry a LOT of stuff. Bikes are a no-brainer! Transit is wonderful for greater distances, or uber/taxi for a night out. Cars are terrible as a means of transporting people.

[@diane1959]

Great video. How are the bikes stored when not in use?

[@Ed-xs4fg]

It's great to bike to work, do errands or just ride around. It's just the infrastructure for bikes is horrible here in n.y I used to work as a delivery boy when I was young so I can see the vast improvements to the bike infrastructure but it's still far from fair or ideal. There is also a lot of really aggressive drivers. It's bad here but I hope it gets better.

[@toddjohnson6809]

Opinions and advice on starting cold turkey for 30 mile one way commute on a traditional bike. It would be 30 miles every 2 - 3 days. Not a 60 mile same day. I could Uber, but in Phoenix, Arizona it's a $85 trip each way.

[@peterslegers6121]

Hi Todd, 30 miles is 48 km, that's about 3 hours on a regular Dutch bike, without taking a rest. I'd rather test the bike first and build up my shape while getting used to the bike. When you can easily ride 20 km, make one commute home, after work and with a few days off, to see how well you cope with it. If you don't build up wisely, prepare yourself for some muscle and tendon aches. How long they last, depends on your shape, and if you went too far... The few times I took on too much, I had a week of "fun" with it. I wouldn't want to work, while in pain.

[@toddjohnson6809]

@@peterslegers6121 Thanks. Last bike I owned was stolen in 1994 while I was in the Navy and I haven't biked since. I'm getting a bit fed up with a car I have parked down there in Arizona. I only use it every 2 - 3 months. Thought about getting a fold up style bike to keep in my semi truck. I see some nice bike paths around the country I would like to check out.

[@peterslegers6121]

@@toddjohnson6809 That's a great idea. When I had a bigger car, i made trips with my bike on a bicycle carrier on my towbar, and ride around areas i did not yet know. That was fun!

[@JBthePAdashC]

Yay! So happy to see a TAGA in this video. As an owner of one…they are solidly mediocre.

[@Raykenn1]

I don't buy into the carbon footprint be but I love the concept because of practicality, economy, and general health benefits 👍

[@Raykenn1]

"BS" NOT BE !

[@y2keefus]

Rad

[@boxie001]

great to see, it would even be better without the body armor :)

[@amelia-rose2992]

it's too bad so many landlords don't allow bicycles in the elevator or to be stored on the balcony. This holds back apartment dwellers from a bike. Having to lug it up the stairs daily isn't ideal for most.

[@SARANYAGANAPATHY]

How do people park these bikes at grocery stores and such? I’m worried if my bike would get stolen - these are quite pricey and catchy

[@nishiljaiswal2216]

More stores are putting in bike racks and two strong locks and you are fine. Some stores allow you take your bike inside.

[@ringerheringa3052]

The Dutch way! Rename NY. New Amsterdam was it's name anyway.. 😎

[@PeterPanMan]

Shaking my head over so many of the comments. "Something that I really like must become mandatory for everyone, everywhere."...seems to capture the spirit of the thing.

[@peterslegers6121]

Hi Paul, you and I are the first ones to use the word "must' in these comments. All the other people show their enthusiasm for cargo bikes and the happy video. I think that´s great, because the more people hop onto a bike, the more space we have for our cars. Real car enthusiasts love the Netherlands as well, as it is a lot of fun to drive there. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnjZhaVsbL5_ock American Expat: why driving is better in Europe than America.

[@tomtrenter3208]

Do many folks ride recumbent trikes in NYC? Are bike riders victimized by crime much in NYC?

[@StreetfilmsCommunity]

Not as many people on recumbents as I used to see. As for crime? When you are on a bike in NYC I find you are safer than walking, driving or on transit. But the cars are the real danger!

[@tomtrenter3208]

@@StreetfilmsCommunity Thank you.

[@truelove-wx4bw]

Nice to see but your roads looks horrible and is it save without a good infrastructure?????❤️❤️🇵🇾🇵🇾🇵🇾

[@In_time]

1:13 _45 minutes?!_ And are you dry and smelling fresh as a daisy when you (finally) get there? Yeah, no thanks. Hard pass on that✋🏻

[@maaiker2977]

Yes if you don't cycle fast you won't sweat. Its cooler on that bike than in a hot car. And you will get there faster than in that car. And won't have road rage either.

[@hardystuttgart5338]

In Car the Kids r safe. This way is realy to Dangerous !?! 🙁

[@galaxytrio]

Masks on a bike ... outdoors ... on kids.

[@austinrussell32044]

I love the video but it's so sad to see people wearing masks outside... especially young children :(

[@Fjodor.Tabularasa]

Seriously, mouth muzzles in open air, the kids even? Sad.