With the temperature and air quality finally reaching more comfortable levels, now is the perfect time to try out a new bike. A perfect place to do it is at a Community Pedal Power cargo bike test drive.
The group regularly hosts test drives connecting parents searching for cargo bike information with current owners, giving them a chance to try the bikes firsthand. Testing bikes in a car-free park makes things easier for new riders, and it doubles as a social event.
The most recent event was Sunday. Under clear skies outside Somerville City Hall, around 50 people took part by biking comfortable laps around the parking lot with kids strapped into child seats on the roughly 15 bikes available.
Some of the bikes were from the e-bike lending library; many attendees brought their own bikes for others to try, including Keith Anderson of Green Streets Initiative, a transportation advocacy nonprofit. A parent once told Anderson that they’d bought a cargo bike after trying his at a similar event. “Ever since I got that feedback, I keep coming back to give people a chance to try it out,” Anderson said.
Ellie Medal was another person who brought her bike, complete with a 64-inch trailer for hauling cargo. Medal, who has lived in New England for 18 years, noted how much more popular biking has gotten. “It’s great to see how many people are getting around and doing their everyday errands on bikes around Somerville and Cambridge these days,” Medal said.
Free lights and gear
Cambridge Bike Safety, a local advocacy organization working to make biking, walking and getting around without a car as safe and comfortable as possible, was on hand giving out free lights and reflective panels. “Biking is becoming incredibly convenient and comfortable,” said Toby Sillman, a safe streets program fellow for Cambridge Bike Safety this summer. “Events like these are a great way to get the work out about how easy and convenient it is to ride a bike.”
In addition to cargo bike test drives, Community Pedal Power runs the e-bike lending library, where families can borrow a cargo bike for up to a week and see what type of bike best suits them.
It also organizes the Family Bike Ride, which hosts seasonal family rides featuring safe routes. The organization recently completed the sixth annual Summer Ride, which ran from Belmont High School to Cambridge Common, where riders ate ice cream delivered by bike on Medal’s 64-inch trailer. Rides have marshals to improve visibility and keep things running smoothly.
To get notified about future cargo bike test drives and family bike rides, subscribe to the group email list.
Bike activities calendar
E-Bike Adventure Rides with Casa Bikes (recurring). Every other Thursday and Saturday, bring your own e-bike or borrow one of Casa’s. The next ride is 6 p.m. Thursday. Free.
Critical Mass Ride (recurring). A free social activist ride meeting at 6:30 and taking off at 7 p.m. every last Friday of the month in Copley Square, Boston No RSVP required.
For more Boston bike events, see bostonbikeevents.net. (No affiliation with The Independent.)
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