What we need to do is look at alternative ways to move ourselves and goods around our local area without the use of cars. Buses are great for moving us pedestrians around but if you have anything larger than a few bags of shopping then you are severely restricted. Also buses are not always convenient and on Sundays buses don't even run on some routes!!

So then what about using a bicycle? Personal transport, load carrying and fitness machine all in one easy package.

For the less fit, disabled or indeed lazy then there is a well documented supply of electric assisted bicycles appearing on the market.

Bicycles of all descriptions are personal transport but to be used regularly as a utility bicycle you need to look deeper into the subject and design a bicycle that fits your personal needs.

You might want a load carrying area greater than a couple of pannier bags on the back wheel. If so then you need to look at a solid rear end to the frame rather than the suspension frame because when pulling a load you will need to have all your energy directed through the drive train and not have a portion of it lost in the frame dynamics. This is especially important if you have hills in your locality.

If you have a load to carry you need to think about stability of your bicycle if you have two wheels it is less stable than three wheels for obvious reasons unless you have a specifically designed bike such as this USA version called a Longbike.  The longbike is known as the Xtracycle and designed by Ross Evans.

Other load carrying versions can be a simple trailer attached to the rear frame in which you put a bag for your shopping et al like the bob yak bob-yak-trailer. A friend I knew used to have one of these years ago and it certainly stood the test of time she hauled all sorts of stuff in it including camping gear, trips to the tip with bags of bricks, food shopping and even a wardrobe. Admittedly it was in pieces but it was still a full size wardbrobe !

Bicycles that have a lower centre of gravity are far better for hauling weight than those bicycles that have the rider sat high in the saddle.

(More to follow.)