Cargoroo share cargo bikes are available: “Good for children, dogs or beer” (Antwerp)
The bright yellow shared cargo bikes of the Dutch company Cargoroo have found their way to Antwerp. They were presented on Saturday in Park Spoor Noord and from Monday they will have their own spots spread across the city.
Lies (32) and Annelien (31) are looking at the cargo bikes in Park Spoor Noord. The two ladies live near the park. “Here one is not convenient, but sometimes you have to have some car larger trips. I have already downloaded the Cargoroo app because I want to know everything about it”, says Annelien.
The people of Cargoroo will be in Park Spoor Noord on Saturday to explain the concept of cargo bikes for sharing that is new for Antwerp. Like the Velo’s from the steps, but with electric cargo bikes.
Lies puts little Lucy of 1 year in such a bicycle. They are immediately comfortable in the child seat with straps. “I don’t have a cargo bike, but I think it would be useful to borrow one myself every now and then to go shopping or to drive to the nursery. Then of course the bicycles have to be nearby, because you don’t have to take a long walk first,” she says.
The bicycles will be distributed in the city from Monday. In total there will be 100 bicycles. “But we met ten bicycles and then ten bicycles are added every week until we get to a hundred. We have also done this in Dutch cities such as Amsterdam and Utrecht, but they are already so popular there that there will be an extra five hundred”, says Fay van Cargoroo.
The cargo bikes will have their own permanent place in the city. “That way they don’t get in the way on the footpath like part scooters sometimes do. The aim is for the user to return the bicycle and return it there, i.e. to cycle from A to B and back to A.”
Fay and her colleague receive many questions from interested passers-by in Park Spoor Noord. “Everyone sees the advantage of lending a cargo bike in the city. You can move much faster and you can transport quite a bit. It is not only useful for children, but also for dogs from baking beer on the way to a party, for example. Cargo bikes have long ceased to be for mothers and children,” says Fay.
You can borrow the bikes via the Cargoroo app. The first month it costs 1 euro and after that you pay 7 cents per hour or 4.2 euros per hour. “You are not tied to a subscription and can simply pay for your ride via the app at a time. The app also shows where the bikes are nearby.
On Wednesday 1 June, Cargoroo is organizing a second test drive event on Moorkensplein.