With electric bikes becoming mainstream, Bend Bikes and Bend Electric Bikes are teaming up to put on the first “Coffee & Cargo Bike Show.” Owners of electric cargo bikes are invited to show off their bikes, share cycling adventures and meet fellow riders. Even if you don’t own a bike, everyone is welcome.
“I imagine a perfect Bend afternoon with a bunch of cargo bikes with kids as cargo, regular bikes, bikes with training wheels and tourists hanging around the commons,” Al Olson with Bend Bikes says when describing the inaugural events. There will be a video booth where people can record their cargo bike experiences, a Wheel of Fortune game to educate families about bike safety and other family-friendly activities. There will also be contests with prizes. Categories include longest distance traveled, most kids safely on a bike and oldest bike.
“One of our goals at Bend Bikes is to get more people in Bend riding bikes. Cargo bikes are a great way to do that. These bikes are handy for hauling groceries, transporting kids and pets, or lugging outdoor gear,” Elisa Cheng, president of Bend Bikes, said in a press release. It is part of a growing trend. The cargo bike market was valued at nearly $8 million in 2024. The industry is expected to reach more than $27 million by 2034. Olson says the cost of a new cargo bike starts around $1,500 to $2,000.
What started as a bike to transport cargo, it’s become a green mode of transportation for families. Cargo e-bikes are designed for stability and balance, so they can carry heavier loads while still being manageable.
“Because of the way the load is carried on the chassis, there is a small learning curve. It usually takes about 15 minutes to get the hang of it. Just learning how to turn comfortably,” Olson says.
The Coffee & Cargo Bike Show is a free event being held in front of The Commons Coffee and Taphouse on June 1. No registration is needed. Olson says it’s an experiment to gauge interest. He hopes to make it bigger in future years.
The organizers have a lot of passion for the inaugural event. Sterling McCord opened Bend Electric Bikes in 2008, before they became mainstream. “Cargo bikes are the most versatile, family friendly option out there, especially for growing families,” he said in a release to the Source. “And there is no denying the fun factor.”
This article appears in Source Weekly May 22, 2025.
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
