I’m not a mom. Unlike Cherie and other parents I’ve been chatting with lately, I don’t have kids that I need to drop off at school in the morning, or to take to soccer practice, swim lessons or dance class in the afternoon. And yet I find cargo and family bikes intriguing, like this Urban Arrow I spotted parked in downtown Palo Alto.
At first glance it looks like just another variation on the traditional Dutch bakfiets (box bike), this time with a hard foam box instead of wood. A closer look reveals much more: a factory electric assist motor. That sounds like a winning combination to me. After all, not all parents are like the unstoppable Emily Finch of Portland, who’s determined enough to carry her six kids and way to much cargo on her box bike.
The Urban Arrow looks long, but it’s about the same length as a traditional bakfiets. The passenger box can be replaced with a cargo box, or the box section can be replaced with a new front end to form a standard bike.
- The passenger box is made from the same high-density foam found in bike helmets.
- Like any proper European bike, the Urban Arrow has integrated lights.
- The electric motor sits right behind the pedals for stability.
- Oops. This isn’t a chain guard. I took photo of wrong side of the bike so no idea whether it’s chain or belt driven.
- A classic Brooks saddle adds a classic touch to a modern design.
- A generated rear light and lots of reflectors make an impression going as well as coming.
Location: Lytton Plaza, Palo Alto, California, USA.
gasstationwithoutpumps
October 17, 2013 at 10:25 am
The pictures on the Urban Arrow website (http://www.urbanarrow.com/en) show a chain drive.
Jorrit Kreek
October 18, 2013 at 8:44 am
Hi we indeed use a normal chain. The chaincover is a chainglider Hebie, and looks like a belt.
Since 1 month we changed the Electric assist system to bosch.
For more pics follow this link:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/s18m63fgqqnubfz/De7f_i-yU_
Ryan
October 25, 2013 at 4:26 pm
I saw a woman peddling a bakfiet down St. John Street in downtown SJ yesterday. It was awesome!
Paulo Rafael
October 26, 2013 at 3:33 pm
Your blog is very very nice and interesting! Thanks. ;)
hoghopper
October 31, 2013 at 11:03 am
Is the experiment over? No more posts.
ladyfleur
October 31, 2013 at 11:40 am
After over two years and almost 500 posts I wouldn’t call One Woman, Many Bicycles an experiment. It’s been much, much more than that.
I have plenty of things to write about, I’ve just been busy and a little burnt out. I did post a story on the 3 Foot Passing Law on my blog on the Mountain View Voice this week, though. http://mv-voice.com/blogs/p/2013/10/29/what-does-3-feet-for-safety-mean
lem
November 2, 2013 at 9:40 am
Came across this whilst (I was) in Singapore.
Preventing bicycle/bicycle parts from being stolen.
http://news.asiaone.com/news/crime/lock-lah-prevent-bicycle-thefts?page=0%252C2
Becky O'Leary
November 11, 2013 at 7:50 pm
Did you hear? Sadly her bike was stolen.
http://bikeportland.org/2013/11/04/emily-six-kids-and-no-car-finchs-cargo-bike-stolen-96572
Love your blog!
Marc van der Aart
November 18, 2013 at 6:03 pm
The Urban Arrow has a motor that directly powers the crank. Thru the (covered) chain the rear wheel is driven. Most conventional Cargo Bikes (like Bakfiets.nl) have a motor in the front wheel. The series 2014 Urban Arrow gets a Bosch motor and there are some improvements at the frame. Rolling Orange Bikes in Brooklyn, NY is Urban Arrow dealer. The new series will arrive around April 2014.