Lambeth Council’s Big Shift partnered with Peddle My Wheels to deliver an award-winning Community Influencer project.

The project provided 30 beginner cyclists with bikes. In return, they shared their journeys and experiences with us so that we can help inspire others to start cycling. We hear from Emily, who participated in the project’s second year and was given an e-cargo bike. 

“Without being too dramatic, getting our e-cargo bike has significantly changed our lives for the better.”

Emily started her journey alongside 29 other Community Influencers in October 2023. In that year, the Community Influencer project saw 29 beginner cyclists receive a standard bike and one beginner cyclist, Emily, receive an e-cargo bike. We recently caught up with Emily to talk about her experience.

Emily had never ridden a cargo bike before. Like many others, she was not a confident cyclist and had a mental block that prevented her from even considering that she could ride a cargo bike. At first, it took her a while to get comfortable. Cargo bikes can feel very different from a standard bike when being ridden. The different weight, manoeuvrability, and centre of gravity can make you feel like you might tip over, and it can take a bit of time to get used to doing turns.

As part of the Community Influencer programme, Emily received lessons with Peddle My Wheels, which she found very helpful. The instructor took her around her regular routes to help familiarise her with the journey on a cargo bike. Within a few months, she was confident doing the school run and taking her children and their friends around on playdates.

For many parents, safety while cycling with children is a concern. This is still true for cargo bikes. Emily said that she avoids using certain roads when cycling with her children. However, having a larger presence with the cargo bike helps her feel more confident when claiming space on the road. She noted that fewer cars try to squeeze by her when there is less space, and by feeling more ownership over the road, she doesn’t feel like she is holding up traffic.

Cost is a significant barrier for many to owning a cargo bike. When a manufacturing fault was issued to cargo bikes across Europe, Emily worried that if she couldn’t get her bike replaced, she might not be able to afford to buy one of her own. However, she considered it anyway since she and her family used it so often. Fortunately for Emily, the supplier was able to replace the faulty bike. However, for many people, the idea of owning a cargo bike is out of the question.

Emily and her family love their cargo bike. She said,

“All in all, I cannot emphasise enough how much we adore our e-cargo bike and how grateful we are to have it. It's certainly made our lives better, and I hope that Lambeth can continue to support initiatives to provide access for more residents.”

Do you think a cargo bike could change your life?

If you would like to try out an e-cargo bike and make a positive impact in your students’ lives, plenty of support is available!

• Anyone living, working or studying in Lambeth can access free cycle lessons through Cycle Confident, just make sure to mention you want it for cargo bike (opens in a new window). 
• If you don’t have a bike yet, you can use Try Before You Bike to trial a bike before committing to buy it. (opens in a new window)
• Or borrow one from one of the OurBike locations around the borough (opens in a new window). 
• For a cheap second-hand bike, you can visit a Bike Market held throughout the borough (opens in a new window). 
• Finally, for bike maintenance support, you can visit a Dr Bike session where a mechanic can help you with your bike (opens in a new window).