Recently I observed a single rider pedaling a front-loading cargo bike in my neighborhood. It was a cold, early afternoon and I also noticed that the large cargo box was covered with a canopy of plastic, carefully arched over the top like a covered wagon, to protect its precious cargo (possibly children inside). I thought I'd seen this set-up pass by me more than once before in the Joaquin Neighborhood and had admired the effort; then suddenly and vividly I imagined tens of such bikes traversing the Joaquin on any given day out on errands or commuting. The vision was so vivid and animated, I could see their smiling faces, but soon the vision faded away... into the future.
A few days later I was pulling out of the driveway with my own bike, on my way to ride with a friend, when I immediately spotted the above-mentioned cargo bike heading up 200 East. I raced west on 500 North and around the corner to see if I could catch up with the modern-day bakfiets: I did at 700 North and introduced myself, explaining the story so far. When I mentioned BikeWalk Provo, to my surprise the cargo bike driver introduced herself in turn as "Christine Frandsen, the new Director of Communications" for BikeWalk Provo! To complete the story I then asked Christine if she would mind an interview, she was very gracious.
How long have you been biking in Provo? "I've been biking here in Provo since we moved back three years ago and ten years ago I also biked here while attending BYU from 2007-11."
What type of bike are you presently riding? "It's a bike from thecargobike.com (a 'Cargo Box Bike Bakfiet[s] Bicycle Family Kids Trailer Beach Park Electric'), it has three wheels, called a tri-cycle, it's a front-loading cargo bike and I should mention that it is electric."
Why did you choose to start biking, exercise/transit? "I attended a course at BYU on global warming (Climate Change, Science & Solutions) by Ben Abbott, and that then got me involved with Bike/Walk Provo. In one year my cargo bike has logged 2,500 kilometers (1,553 miles), just going to the grocery store, the library, school and other such trips; we have a car, but we only use it for long distances like vacations or to visit Sundance Resort. Originally, I began biking for exercise and fitness, and to just enjoy the outdoors, my husband and I like to mountain bike and pedal around the neighborhood to see friends. I feel much more freedom on a bike than driving in a car, getting the kids in and out of car seats takes time, and on a bike I can just go and do things. Sometimes I can even take shorter routes than cars, it's overall a more enjoyable ride for all of us. As for my kids (six and three years old), I feel it expands their world view, and I can talk to my kids who love the bike. We've traveled in Denmark and the Netherlands and it was there I learned about cargo biking. And I'd like to add that I've influenced a few other people I know to buy three new cargo bikes."
What are some of the benefits of biking in Provo? "I'm grateful for the work done in Provo recently on active transportation, especially since I was a student, the '200 East' bikeway is my favorite route, and the mountains here are beautiful!"
What are some of the problems in biking here? "Drivers are largely friendly to me, but cars pulling out while the driver's looking left and I'm crossing is a problem. Not having connected bike infrastructure, I feel vulnerable at times on some stretches like from Cougar Boulevard to the BYU campus."
Are you the fast rising future of Bike/Walk Provo? "I'm excited to serve as the new Director of Communications!" That says it all.
