Cargo bikes as a growth area for bicycle vs. auto trips: Exploring the potential for mode substitution behavior

- Investigates how cargo bikes have the potential to increase active travel.
- Queries how ownership of a cargo bike changed travel preferences.
- Finds that 69% of changed to active modes of travel after owning a cargo bike, an average of 1-2 trips per day, especially for women and parents.
- Suggests that future research exploring weather-related/elemental barriers and the planning implication of these larger platforms.

Cargo bikes are increasing in availability in the United States. While a large body of research continues to investigate traditional bike transportation, cargo bikes offer the potential to capture trips for those that might otherwise be made by car. Data from a survey of cargo bike users queried use and travel dynamics with the hypothesis that cargo and e-cargo bike ownership has the potential to contribute to mode substitution behavior. From a descriptive standpoint, 68.9% of those surveyed changed their travel behavior after purchasing a cargo bike and the number of auto trips appeared to decline by 1-2 trips per day, half of the auto travel prior to ownership. Two key reasons cited for this change include the ability to get around with children and more gear. Regression models that underscore this trend toward increased active transport confirm this. Based on these results, further research could include focus on overcoming weather-related/elemental barriers, which continue to be an obstacle to every day cycling, and further investigation into families modeling healthy behaviors to children with cargo bikes.