Cool Mom Picks - Bakfiets - Bikes for you and your brood

Saturday 04 August

Bakfiets - Bikes for you and your brood

Let me tell you why I'm Bakfiet crazy: when I had kids, I really wanted to keep up my exercise routine and just have them fall in line. I got a double jogger, which was great. But I really wanted to bike with the kids in tow, I just didn't feel super comfortable putting them in a bike trailer behind me. I wanted them to be within reach, just in case--and now I realize that the solution was here all along.

I fell in love with the Babboe Bakfiets at first sight. It's a Dutch import but I became acquainted with it when a neighborhood family showed up at the local coffee joint with one of these bad boys. It's literally head-turning. The rest of you may have first seen one with that awesome photo of the super biking Portland mom of 6 that we recently featured.

What's cool is that your kid has plenty of room up front to chill and see the world. There are safety belts and space for snacks or even a pet. Because it's on two wheels, it functions much like a normal bike, and is able to maneuver and make turns much like a standard bicycle. The problem with that is, if you're not an experienced rider, it can be a bit wobbly and hard to manage.

Which is what led me to my second discovery, the Christiania cargo bike. The history behind this bike is really amazing; Annie and her husband, Lars, live in a car-free section of Copenhagen, called Christiania. Because these bikes are meant to be ridden year round, they can hold up to any kid of weather. They are durable and great for a recreational rider like myself (read: clumsy). Because there are three wheels, the bike is essentially a giant tricycle which makes it pretty darn durable.

Keep in mind that these bikes are imported, both using high quality materials and finishes which means they don't come cheap. We're talking over a thousand bucks, easy. But, think about the money that you will be saving on gas, and gym memberships. Seriously. -Eva

Both Babboe cargo bike and Christiania cargo bike are only available at select retailers. I am partial to Flying Pigeon because the guys couldn't be nicer and more knowledgable.

Find More: Doodads and Random Bits of Coolness, Fitness, Strollers and Stroller-y Things, Travel essentials

2 Comments

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Linda | August 4, 2012 2:06 PM | Reply

Being Dutch, I loved to read your post about the bakfiets. Yes, the streets in the Netherlands are littered with them. We use our bikes every day, like most fellow Dutch. Picking up our son from school usually involves parking the bakfiets in line with all the others. It's so nice that the word bakfiets is actually used and not translated!

Since we live in a tiny country with tiny houses (compared to most US residences) the Gazelle is most popular because it has a foldable cargo, and you can buy them the US too:

http://www.gazelle.us.com/brands/gazelle-bicycles/specials?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_gazelle.tpl&product_id=226&category_id=49

And I agree with you on the sturdiness, they easily last for six to eight years and with increasing gas prices and environment & health issues I join you on your recommendation for the bakfiets. And it makes me a little proud too XD

Brett | August 7, 2012 5:13 AM | Reply

Great article Eva! I've been a proud cargobike owner for about a year now and I (read: the whole family) can't live without it :)

I've bought the Babboe City (2-wheel Cargobike) because of its mobility, quality and his affordable price :) They sell a 2- and 3 wheel cargobike and the big difference is the size and for what u use it. The 2-wheel Babboe cargobike is more for the longer trips and the 3-wheel for the shorter (30mins) rides. U should checkout www.bakfietsen.com where u can find a lot of information!

Again, great article! :)

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