The New Family Car

(Mar 16, 2007) Trade in your four-wheels for the new two-wheel European family vehicle. We'll show you how in our easy going green guide.

Europe's version of the family car
A common sight in the streets of Amsterdam is Mom or Dad peddling the children around town. The kids perch casually on the freight rack at the back or in what can only be described as a cargo box in front of the handle bars. Most have the air of being bored, as if this kind of circus performance was actually the height of tedium. And truth be told, in a land where bicycles rule the road, one can excuse them for appearing unexcited about a family trip to the grocery store.

But here in North America, where the family car has morphed into a gigantic beast with cupholders and individualized climate control for everyone, such plucky devotion to the bicycle seems adoringly quaint and European. We could all use a little more Europe in our lives and what better place to start than with the good ol’ bike?

Here, then, are a few tips for ditching your family wagon and wowing the neighbours with your newfangled, Euro-chic family bicycle:

Buy a comfortable bike. It should feel more like surfing an old couch than straddling your porch railing. For riding around town, your best bet is a retro sit-up-and-beg style, which also happens to be very trendy these days.

Create some cargo space. Nothing is worse than trying to manoeuvre your bike through traffic with a baguette in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. Fortunately, adding a basket on the front and a pair of bike panniers on the back not only gives you lots of carrying capacity, it also lets you think, “Why, yes, I could be in Paris right now.” For those seeking to create an SUB (sport utility bike) you can also buy a specialized bike trailer that can handle up to 100lbs of cargo.

Consider the kids. In our ultra-safe culture, it may not be practical to suggest draping your brood across the handlebars as they do in Holland, but there are plenty of other options:

1. Tried-and-true child bike seat (behind your seat);
2. Centre-mounted child seat (between you and the handlebars);
3. Tow-behind child trailer (usually doubles as a cargo trailer or stroller);
4. Trailer-trainer (child’s bike attached to your seat post).

And if your kids are old enough, they can actually get around on their own bikes!

Weatherproof your ride. Foul weather is a great excuse to reach for the car keys. But with a little preparation, riding in the rain can actually be, if not always pleasant, at least bearable. You will need: front and rear splash guards for your tires, good wet-weather cycling clothes, eyeglasses, and a plastic bag to pop over your seat while you dash into the local boulangerie. You can find some durable raingear at Mountain Co-op. (www.mec.ca)

Light up the road. A good headlight is critical for night riding, as are reflectors and a flickering tail light.

Get your hands dirty. Keep your bike in good running order by taking a basic bike maintenance course and buying a few simple tools. Changing a flat may not seem glamourous, but neither is walking 25 blocks with a lame bike.

And if tricking out a standard-issue North American bike isn’t good enough for you, you can always buy a real Euro-bike from Vancouver-based Jorg and Olif.

Mark Mallet is a LEED Accredited professional consultant and writer based in Vancouver, specializing in the green building industry.


Tags: bicycles, EV, scooters. Browse our full tag cloud.