Home Built Cargo Bikes

As you can imagine I am always intrigued when I see other people being resourceful and carrying things on their bikes, especially when they are home-built. The above photos are of Ed and Eva. I've seen Ed riding around the neighborhood for a log time and today was riding past him as he waited outside a pet store. Uncharacteristically of myself, I stopped and asked him if I could take his picture. Without hesitation (or even asking me why I wanted to take his picture) he leaned against his bike and struck a pose. After taking the photo I explained that I write this blog and would like to show how he carried things one his bike. Ed has a board screwed to the back of an ordinary rear rack, creating a stable surface for a large container and other items. When I asked him if he carried all this stuff for work or pleasure he said simply, "I carry everything I need." About a half hour later I saw Eva at a corner and asked her if I could take her photo (geeze, I am getting bold) and surprisingly she agreed right away but seemed a little skeptical. It turns out she is a friend of Ed's. After asking questions about the Mundo and if I built it (everyone seems to think that I built it...I wish) she said that her carrying method was sort of old fashioned, "just a box and a bucket hooked onto the bike," she told me. Awesome. And to Ed and Eva, if you are reading this I want to say thanks again for taking the time to talk to me and allowing me to take your photos. These are great examples of people using bikes for more than just getting from point A to point B. Bikes of any kind can carry most everything you need. (Click the photo for a larger view.)