By Writing Caen
Published on
When one is a convinced ecologist, one must be vigilant about thecarbon footprint that we leave on our planet throughout our lives. But for certain acts of travel and transport, it is not easy to think that there can be solutions alternatives to the caror the truck, in particular when to move from one house to another.
“Testify that it is possible”
A bikethis is how Mickaël, elected to the municipality of Mondevillenear Caen (Calvados), engaged for years in the ecological fight, and his companion Sophie, have made the bet of to relocatefrom a rental house in the Charmettes district to their new home in the Bois de Claquet district.
We want to be able to testify that it is possible to move the interior of a complete house by bicycle.
It is true that among the three million French people who change their place of residence each year, 40% of them move less than 10 km away, according to INSEE, that is to say a distance that can be done easily by bike, even on a daily basis. The couple therefore decided to call on the Caen Toutenvélo transport cooperative to study the possibilities and practical conditions.
“Another view of life”
This small company is part of a network of 10 companies in France organized into cooperatives, which manufacture robust bicycle trailers. And it’s a business that works.
Launched by two partners in October 2017 in a 15m² garage, SCOP Toutenvélo now has ten employees, including five members in Caen. Specialized in urban cyclology, the ability to meet the needs of customers and partners has allowed them to diversify their activity in several areas of logistics, including moving by bicycle.
The company offers, among other things, the so-called “last kilometer” delivery service in the city and the agglomeration, and in particular in the nearby municipalities which have developed a policy of cycle paths and greenways such as in Mondeville where bicycles pass and circulate easier.
The SCOP also offers the rental of trailers for removals. Mickaël and Sophie decided to rent trailers and do the handling themselves and the journeys of around 3 km round trip via rue Brière. The move is therefore carried out more slowly, over a period spread over several days.
For the 200 large boxes, we are at about thirty trips spread over ten days, and we estimate that it will take eight additional trips with a wider flatbed trailer for the transport of furniture and large household appliances. But, for us, it’s also pleasure shared with friends and we take advantage of the holidays to take the time and spread the move over several days. It is another conception of life”.
Undeniably, a move by electric bike is also more economical than with traditional vehicles and it is a real civic commitment. Still need to have time and think about it!
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