Butcher Bikes, Cargo Bikes and keeping it Green, for National Bike Week 2013

This Saturday sees the return of National Bike Week which runs from 15th - 23rd June throughout the country. It got us thinking about our relationship with bikes here in Ireland. Although bikes were introduced in the 19th century, our relationship has been a turbulent one. Initially bikes were used before cars became an option for the every day man. We relied on bicycles to not only get us around our cities but also as a means of transporting goods from one part of the city to the other. In fact even with the influx of automobiles, bikes still remained the main port of transport for many small businesses around the city right up until the 1960's and early 70's. We all remember the infamous Francie Brady from the Irish cult film "The Butcher Boy" who delivered meat around the city on his butcher bike, equipped with it's large wicker basket. Albeit the design and structure of the bicycle has changed and advanced over the years, particularly since the first chain-driven bike appeared in 1885. 

 

 

As years went by, bicycles and cycling became more of a hobby or a way to keep fit for most people, or a back up means of transport to a car for some others. Learning how to ride a bike as a child was a memorable experience. I'm sure you all have a story to share that includes "remember that time I fell off my bike"! Cycling became fun, often including adventures as a child, family outings, races and sporting days out. Cycling is now recognized as an international sport with hundreds of million of euro spent each year in the industry. Indeed with over billion bikes worldwide there are actually more bikes in the world than cars. 


 

But has our relationship with bikes come full circle now again? With traffic congestion increasing since the Celtic Tiger years and the need to reach your destination NOW we are starting to revert to the ever reliable bicycle to meet our needs. Dublin Bikes launched almost 4 years ago and with 44 stations and plans to expand it has clearly been a roaring success. Bikes have again become an intricate part of life in Dublin and with this coming National Bike week we are taking to the roads to celebrate.

 

Our eco-friendly minds are working over time and we are constantly looking for greener more cost effective ways of living. With this in mind, here at Cyclone Couriers and Clickacourier.ie we have worked to meet the greener, quicker, cheaper demands of our customers and in doing so are the first courier company to add a fleet of cargo bikes to our offerings. These powerful beasts of bikes are becoming more and more popular as not only are they reducing our carbon footprint but are not confined to traffic jams meaning that deliveries are becoming more time efficient, and as they are running solely on pedal power and not hindered by increasing fuel costs it becomes a far more cost effective solution for larger deliveries. 

 

Copenhagen, where our bikes are built, are the leaders in cargo bikes with new uses being developed every day. From Mojito bars on bikes to newspaper stands, to music stages, to taxis. Families are now using them as their primary means of transport ferrying children to and from school etc. In fact you may have seen this too has crossed the seas and has made it's way to Ireland. There are two men I see each morning on my way in to work who ride cargo bikes with their children safely strapped inside and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before this trend becomes the norm across the city.

 

We were delighted to be asked to take part in the first ever Irish Cargo Bike Championships which takes place in the Phoenix Park this coming Sunday, June 16th with thanks to the lovely folks at the Dutch Bike Shop and Greenaer and supported by both the Danish and Dutch embassies. This fun packed festival is a family friendly free event with some great fun races planned for the day, so why not pedal on up and join in on the fun or even try a cargo bike out for yourself. We promise you won't be disappointed! Also be sure to check out some of the fantastic events happening around the country throughout the week here.

 

Here's to the Cargo Bike, we are looking forward to growing our fleet even more and leading the way for a cleaner, greener delivery solution. 

 

For more information on Cargo Bikes simply call 1800 303 500.

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