RIPPL #51: Stadswerkplaats – Groningen’s brilliantly unassuming cargo-trike hire service

This is the second in a series of RIPPL articles supported by Gemeente Groningen. In the run up to the International Cargo Bike Festival, which takes place in the city this coming June, we’re taking a deep-dive and focussing on how cycle-logistics works in this city of bikes.

In Groningen there has been an unfussy, straightforward way to get hold of a cargo trike for the day for over 30 years; long before the buzz phrases ‘mobility-as-a-service’ or ‘sharing economy’ were coined. The trikes, instantly recognisable to any Groninger, are available to hire from volunteer-run Stadswerkplaats which, although it is an unassuming organisation, is something of an institution in this city.

Continue reading “RIPPL #51: Stadswerkplaats – Groningen’s brilliantly unassuming cargo-trike hire service”

RIPPL #46: Bogbi – handmade cargo bikes for peace in Colombia

“To make high quality cool products AND to contribute to a Colombia in peace.”

That’s the vision of Bogbi, a new Bogotá-based Colombian-Norwegian cargo bike manufacturer with a social vision. The initiative is the brainchild of Colombian Eduardo Moreno and Sigurd Kihl, who met in 2016 through their wives. Both are industrial designers and the pair quickly bonded over Bogotá’s terrible traffic; both expressed a desire to transport their children and goods around without cars. Problems for which, it seemed to them, a cargo bike would be the perfect solution.

Continue reading “RIPPL #46: Bogbi – handmade cargo bikes for peace in Colombia”

RIPPL #28: Box Bike Helsinki – What would cargo bikes look like if designed by urban teens?

Bike Box Helsinki was a project run by the Nature League of Finland (LUPPI) in which young people were invited to design and build a cargo bike. The idea for the project stemmed from the question: what would cargo bikes look like if designed by urban teens? Continue reading “RIPPL #28: Box Bike Helsinki – What would cargo bikes look like if designed by urban teens?”

RIPPL #25: Food Justice by bike in Colorado and beyond

Denver and Boulder, two American cities about 50km apart, are nestled at the feet of the Rocky mountains in Colorado. They have plenty in common, even in terms of cycling culture; for example, both cities host regular ‘Cruiser Rides’ which look like great fun (check them out here Denver Cruiser Ride, and here Boulder Cruiser Ride).

The two cities are also home to Food Rescue organisations Denver Food Rescue and Boulder Food Rescue, both of which use volunteer-ridden bikes with trailers to collect food which would otherwise be discarded from grocery stores.

Continue reading “RIPPL #25: Food Justice by bike in Colorado and beyond”