Mutual aid - by cargo bike

During scary and difficult times, we often turn to the classic advice from Mr. Rogers: "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." 

We have been proud and inspired to see so many in the Bunch fam and the larger cargo bike community who are coming together to support our neighbors. 

In fact, we're struck by the consistent overlap between folks who are out organizing bike buses, neighborhood rides, and bike rodeos - and those who organize in times of need.

We've learned that any form of organizing - whether it's a book club, a playgroup, a craft club, or a bike bus - knits together the fabric of our community and helps us show up for one another when we are needed. 

Meet some of our local cargo bike heroes! 

Laura in Minneapolis

Laura was already neighborhood famous for organizing the Minneapolis Cargo Bike Library, an inspirational project that allows local families to borrow one of a dozen different cargo bikes for up to a week at a time. This is an amazing way to encourage people who are new to the bike life to give it a try! 

In recent weeks, Laura and the PTO at her school have stepped up to offer emergency assistance to hundreds of families in their community. She's used her Bunch Bike to deliver groceries to families sheltering in place and pick up donations of winter clothing for a distribution center. 

The cargo bike life also allows Laura's family to offer transportation assistance. With a Bunch Bike plus an extra helmet, she can easily bring along two extra kids or an adult passenger. She has helped families with school dropoff and pickup, transportation to medical appointments and more. Laura also used her Bunch Bike to carry another organizer who wanted to participate in a solidarity ride but was injured and unable to ride her own bike. 

"The cargo bike moms have shown up in force," Laura told us. Many others in her community are also helping with mutual aid deliveries, walking buses, and safe routes to school. 

Olivia in New Jersey

During the recent shutdown of SNAP benefits, Olivia took action to organize mutual aid in her community. She reached out to her neighbors, offering to pick up any extra pantry items they wanted to donate. 

Her family had fun Bunching around town picking up the donations and delivering them to food pantries at their local church and library. And her kids learned what mutual aid looks like in action! 

We love this type of action because it's more than logistical. It also lets Olivia's neighbors know that they are not alone - building capacity for long term organizing and mutual aid.

Michelle in Boston

Michelle leads the nonprofit Diaper Circle in the Greater Boston area. She collects new, unused diapers from families throughout her community - and distributes them to families in need. Her organization has distributed more than half a million diapers! 

Michelle writes, "I use my Bunch Bike to pick up diaper donations all the time!" Families frequently end up with extras of a size their child has already outgrown - they can contact Diaper Circle to make sure those extras go to a family that may not be able to afford diapers. WIC and SNAP do not cover diapers so this can be an area of significant need! 

Beyond distributing diapers, Michelle's work helps connect families - reminding moms and dads everywhere that we share common needs. 

Cargo bike crew in Washington, DC

At one school in Washington, DC, a group of parents organized a daily safety patrol as some families have been concerned about their safety at pickup and dropoff. 

"It's amazing how much overlap there is between the bike bus moms and the safe passage moms," one Bunch mom told us. 

Several cargo bike parents have made a routine of picking up and dropping off students. The community has also organized to ensure students have helmets and warm winter gear so they are comfortable during winter bike rides. 

The kids who are picked up and dropped off have loved getting to join the weekly bike bus as well. "Soon we hope they can join the ride freely with their own parents, too," says one bike bus organizer. 

Organizing mutual aid - and beyond

We know that the best way to spread the joy of family biking - is family to family and neighbor to neighbor. That's what our Bunch Squad program is all about! 

Most members start out giving test rides and answering customer questions on our Bunch Squad Map. But many also go on to organize a bike bus, neighborhood ride, community playdate - or mutual aid! We're so proud that all of the parents profiled in this piece are Bunch Squad members. 

Every Bunch Squad member gets a budget to organize community events and neighborhood celebrations. If you'd like to do more to organize, lead, or contribute in your local community - we'd love to help! We believe that cargo bikes build community - and strong communities help build the cargo bike movement, too.