Cargo Bike Libraries: Why & How

Where can I find a cargo bike library right now?

Minneapolis, MN: Minnesota Cargo Bike Library

Greater Boston Area, MA: Community Pedal Power

Washington, DC: WABA Cargo Bike Library 

At any of these library sites, you can borrow a Bunch Bike or many other types of electric cargo bike for free for up to a week!

We expect to see many more libraries sprouting in the months to come.

What is a cargo bike library?

A cargo bike library allows local families to "check out" a cargo bike for a day, a few days or a week.

These programs are typically run by volunteers and passionate advocates who want to make family biking more accessible in their communities!

Each library offers several different types of cargo bike, so that borrowers can compare a wide range of options. The library also provides helmets, locks, covers, and accessories so that borrowers can enjoy the real life bike experience!

Why borrow a cargo bike?

A cargo bike library makes it much easier and less stressful for families to give the bike life a try.

Our parents didn't ride cargo bikes. (*) And most of us didn't grow up by bike. Around here, biking for transportation still feels like a new trend.

If we're trying to foster a more active lifestyle for ourselves or our own kids, we're making a big adjustment - and taking a big leap of faith.

Getting to try out the cargo bike experience - not just in a short loop around the park, but in real life, at your own pace, on your own routes and in your own daily routine - makes it so much easier to figure out which bike is the right fit for you, and whether biking is realistic for you at all.

That's exactly why we've always offered an extended test ride network as well as our Bunch Bike trial program and easy returns. (We still do! More accessible & practical for folks who don't have access to a library program - yet.)

The cargo bike library takes this approach one step further, empowering families to try out their bikes before making a purchase at all.

Sometimes borrowers return having learned that the bike they borrowed isn't the right fit. That's super helpful information!

More often, they fall in love with the joy and freedom of biking for transportation - and feel more confident in planning their own cargo bike future.

(*) Unless you grew up in the Netherlands!

Who runs these libraries?

Each of the libraries above is organized slightly differently!

Community Pedal Power is its own 501c3. Started by the inimitable Chris Schmidt in Boston, it's now run by a well-organized, highly motivated cadre of volunteers with multiple pickup/dropoff sites and several dozen bikes. We're proud to have provided two Bunch Bikes to this library!

Minnesota Cargo Bike Library and WABA Cargo Bike Library have similar origin stories - passionate Bunch moms who partnered with local bike advocacy orgs!

Laura Mitchell in Minneapolis reached out to BikeMN to create the MCBL. Inspired by her example, Lelac Almagor in DC reached out to WABA to create the WCBL. We're proud to have provided Bunch Bikes for both of these libraries!

We are also seeing a number of new library projects initiated by local governments and nonprofits in a more formalized, grant-funded approach.

What about local bike shops? 

Each of our cargo bike libraries works closely with local bike shops. We need each other and we complement one another!

Cargo bike libraries can offer long-term test rides and parent-to-parent support that may not be available at the shop. When a customer needs more time to get comfortable, isn't ready to commit or can't decide on a bike, the shop can refer the customer to the library for a borrow experience. 

On the other side, when borrowers are ready to purchase, the librarian directs them back to the local shop to check out - in many cases offering a special "library package" that makes setup easy for new owners. 

Cargo bike libraries generate sales directly for the bike shop, and also grow the local cargo bike market over the long term. In turn, bike shops have loaned bikes, donated equipment, and provided time and labor to help our cargo bike libraries get off the ground and keep our bikes healthy under heavy use.

How do you store the bikes?

All three of the libraries profiled here are located in dense urban areas where most folks do not have access to a big garage! 

The cheapest way to store library bikes is outdoors - using good-quality storage covers and sturdy locks, plus trackers and cameras for added security. A run-in shed or storage unit can also work for getting started. 

The very best option, though? Cyclehoop, an innovative cargo bike storage company, donated a Cargo BikeHangar to the Minneapolis Cargo Bike Library to create more secure and weatherproof long-term storage. 

Can I start a cargo bike library? 

Short answer: YES!

Lelac works for Bunch Bikes and also started the WABA Cargo Bike Library in DC as a WABA volunteer. 

She says, "All you really need is insurance... and one crazy person." 

Liability insurance is important, and it can be a major hurdle. Both Lelac and Laura partnered with local bike advocacy groups that already had robust insurance and a good relationship with their insurance brokers to provide coverage for library activities. 

One passionate advocate - er, crazy person - is also essential. We've seen some programs fizzle, even though they were well funded, because they lacked an experienced librarian who could encourage new riders and help families find the right fit. 

Just handing over the keys isn't enough. A successful library program needs a warm, experienced advocate (like our Bunch Squad members!) to help people who are new to cargo bikes get a confident start. 

Everything else is (relatively) easy! Many cargo bike brands - Bunch included - are happy to donate, loan, or discount equipment to reputable, well-organized library projects.

That's because we know that folks who try our bikes are very likely to fall in love and become the newest members of our Bunch fam!

If you know of a library that isn't listed here, please connect us. We'd love to celebrate you!

If you're interested in starting a cargo bike library - please reach out! We can connect you with resources and with other cargo bike librarians, and we'd love to help get a Bunch Bike into your fleet!

How can I support cargo bike libraries?

We're so glad you asked!

If you live near an existing cargo bike library, you can help spread the word about their events and activities. Borrow a cargo bike yourself - and let your friends know how it went!

You can also follow all of the above cargo bike libraries on social media to help build awareness and spread joy. 

You can donate money or equipment to the cargo bike library. 

And of course - you can advocate for similar programming in your community! Reach out to your local bike advocacy group, family biking group, or sustainable mobility org. Let them know about these extraordinarily successful projects and ask if you can help start one near you!