When we need a restock on five gallon buckets of liquid dish soap, vinegar or body wash from the Green Life Trading Co. warehouse space on Madison’s Northside, Tom the bike guy swoops in with his cargo bike to help us get the job done. We asked Tom some questions to find out more about how he cuts down on carbon emissions with his pedal powered bike delivery services and what keeps his wheels turning.
How did you get started with doing bike deliveries in Madison?
I had been hauling tools, building materials, and lawn care equipment by bike for years for my own use, so when a group of friends and I got together in 2022 to form a worker cooperative that offered mobile bike repair and delivery services by bike, I was ready to take it to the next level. The cooperative didn’t pan out, but there is a lot of potential in delivery by bike and I enjoy it so much that I’ve continued that work on my own and plan to grow the business in the future.
Describe your cargo bike set up.
The front cargo area of the bike itself can accommodate about 200 lbs. and for versatility I’ve built a platform that provides about 7 square feet of horizontal space, with plenty of attachment points. For larger deliveries, I can add to that capacity with trailers. My smaller trailer is 5.5 feet long, can carry up to 300 lbs., and is perfect for medium loads like appliances, lumber up to 8 feet, and stacks of boxes, totes, or buckets. My larger trailer is 8 feet long, can carry up to 600 lbs., and is well suited for the heaviest loads and lumber up to 12 feet. The bike is outfitted with an electric motor that provides the additional power needed to move heavier cargo around in a timely manner and to deliver in Madison’s more hilly neighborhoods. Lights, fenders, water bottle, a phone holder, basic repair tools, and a variety of straps and tie-downs round out the kit.
Why are bikes important to you?
Bikes are important to me because not only are they a joy to ride, but they are one of the most versatile and effective tools that we have for effecting positive change. They are the most efficient mode of transportation ever devised, using 90 to 95% less energy than even an electric car to move the same amount of cargo. In a world only beginning to feel the effects of climate disruption caused by the often-wasteful ways we use energy, the benefits of harnessing this efficiency are clear. Bikes are important because they offer transportation at human scale. Automotive crashes killed 42,500 people in the US in 2022, only slightly less than were killed by gun violence, and these numbers are on the rise, particularly for people walking, biking, pushing strollers, and so on due to the ever-increasing size of vehicles. The power of human-scale transportation is on full display every time I go out on a delivery. When I ride down a street that has kids playing in it, they don’t run for safety, their parents don’t scream in panic for them to get out of the street. Instead, they smile and wave, sharing the space in a way that is much less disproportionate. When I’m on my bike, I get a strong sense of flowing through the fabric of neighborhoods instead of tearing through them. For me, the benefits are clear: bicycles are a truly climate-friendly form of transportation that dramatically improves the livability of communities. With cleaner air and safer roads for everyone and fresh air, exercise, significant cost savings, and real human interaction for the rider, bicycles have so much to offer. And with the rise of e-bikes, adaptive cycling, and a strong push for all ages and abilities infrastructure, bikes are more accessible than ever.
Do you remember your first bicycle?
I do! My first bicycle was a red single speed Huffy from K-Mart, the kind you had to pedal backwards to brake. I’ll never forget the sense of freedom that bike gave me and the pride of being able to ride around with the other kids in the neighborhood.
How do you unwind after biking a heavy load over to Green Life?
I find biking to be inherently relaxing, and even when I’m on a delivery route and something unexpected or stressful happens, continuing the ride quickly gets me back into a more relaxed and focused mindset. That said, after a long day of delivery or other work by bike, I particularly enjoy a nice cold pint at one of Madison’s microbreweries, many of which offer discounts if you have a Bike Benefits sticker.
What is your favorite part about making bike deliveries in Madison?
My favorite part is without a doubt the feeling I get being immersed in the world at human scale. I love that biking allows me to engage all of my senses as I ride through Madison’s diverse neighborhoods, taking in the fresh air, the sights and sounds, and how naturally biking lends itself to interacting with others, all things I feel we could use more of. Another favorite part for me is challenging people’s assumptions about what can be done with a bike, showing people that we can do things differently, and that it might actually be more enjoyable in many ways.
Anything that you would like more people to know about cargo bikes or biking in general?
Everyone has different abilities and obligations, and in our car-centric world, trying to use a bike for transportation for the first time can be daunting. If people are interested, I would say start small, trying to work biking into those short, local trips when the stakes are low. Try riding to the park with your kids, or riding with them to school, maybe picking up some groceries or going out to dinner and take it from there. Cargo bikes are a complete game changer but are more of a leap for many folks, so try borrowing one from someone you know to try it out and ask others about their experiences with them. You don’t have to spend a lot of money or have fancy equipment to get started, that’s the beauty of bicycles.
Where can people find out more about your services?
I won’t be expanding my services in 2024, but look for me at the 2025 Madison Earth Day Fair or send me an email at tom@madisoncycleworks.com to start a conversation about expanded delivery services that will be available in 2025.
