"Hey Carl! I read this story in the paper/heard this thing on the radio/saw this bit on TV about Portland and bikes." I hear this from friends scattered all over the country quite frequently. I'm sure that this morning's National Public Radio story about Portland's Cargo Bike craze will spark a new shower of excited phone calls, text messages, and emails.

Carie and the kids on their bakfiets. (Photo: Ethan Jewett)

In the story, Deena Prichep interviews bikey mama Carie Weisenbach-Folz, Clever Cycles co-owner Todd Fahrner, Metrofiets builder Phillip Ross, and even League of American Bicyclists Executive Director Andy Clarke about cargo bikes fulfilling families' kid and grocery-hauling needs.

Of course, cargo bikes are still quite expensive and, even in Portland, not every family lives in a place where they can be used easily. The story covers these concerns and America's psychological resistance to mode changes, as well. It's definitely worth a listen.

Maybe this time, when an old friend calls from Massachusetts to tell me they heard about Portland and bikes on the radio, they'll also say they've seen cargo bikes in their neighborhood or are even considering buying one!

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