Transport anything with a Long John cargo bike

Even heavy, bulky loads can be carried with the right bike. — dpa

When you think of cargo bikes, you might think of the post office or baker’s bikes used by tradesmen in the first half of the 20th century. But they’re no longer only used commercially, but increasingly for private use as well. The bikes, which for some people replace a small car, are more and more common on Germany’s streets – in all types.

A Long John, for example, is not a pirate, but a two-wheeled cargo bike: the front wheel is usually slightly smaller, and directly behind it–- clearly visible from the saddle - is the cargo area. “It’s almost like riding a normal bike and you can move quickly”, says Thomas Geisler from the Pressedienst Fahrrad news agency, describing the advantage of the Long John. He himself recently transported a tumble dryer home from the store with one of these bikes.