July 22 - Cyclorama - longtime supporters of the world of weird and wonderful bikes will be familiar with the enCyclopedia publications that made a pretty good job of documenting the manufacturers of the world's many amazing creations on one, two, three and more wheels. Sadly this was laid to rest just before the march of the internet engulfed us all. But it's back! Back in an internet website thingy! What's even more amazing is that Practical Cycles were invited as one of their preferred retailers "because of the enormous range of cargo bikes and carriers that they stock." We think that you might want to take a look at it along with all the other great bikes and retailers too - http://www.cyclorama.net/viewRetailer.php?id=275
June 26 - The Cavalcade of Cargo Bikes! - What a great day - fine weather, lots of people pointing at our amazing bikes (in a good way!) and to top it off, first prize - The Parkinson Cup for local commerce!
May 1 - NEW! Velo Orange saddles, handlebars and grips due in stock very soon! We are really excited to be stocking the full range of Velo Orange leather Saddles. We will also be stocking various models of Velo Orange handlebars - designed for upright, about town riding in your best Farahs and flip flops! Due w/b 10 May.
April 2 - Kona 2010 Utes now in stock! This is a subtle cargo bike, a cargo bike in disguise, A wolf in Ute's clothing (er that doesn't quite work) - you get what we mean. Check out the Kona Ute Information page or visit the Cargo Bike Studio for a test ride.
April 1 - Hold the front page! - Practical Cycles are featured on the front page of the latest VeloVision Magazine. How appropriate that we are riding a Dutch bike in front of our town's landmark windmill?! There's also a feature on our Cargo Bike Studio inside - why not pop in and see us after you've scoffed your chocolate eggs?...
March 25 - We are really excited about the arrival of our Dutch ID Fillibus Work Bikes (below). This is a really Practical bike that is just at home as a delivery bike for a small business or as a family bike transporting two or three kids to playgroup and picking up shopping. Test ride one now - or see us at the Chorlton Green Festival this weekend (see our events page).
March 15 - Thanks to all who came to see us at the recent Transport Day held as part of the University of Central Lancashire's Carbon Awareness Week. Here's some pictures of someone willing to give the child transportation bike thing a go. Maybe you should too?...
Above left:Dutch ID Double Dutch 'unisex' & right: TAGA Stroller Trike with optional Maxi Cosi seat
February 22 - GMG Seats - it's often difficult to know if a certain child seat works with a certain bike. We are always willing to help you find out - much of the time we know...However when we were contacted by Mike about the GMG Clasics seat and whether it would fit the Xtracycle he bought from us we felt a headache coming on. Nonetheless we spent a day or so fettling and testing and came up with what we thought was a safe solution. Mike went one better and added his own bits to make it even more Practical and the results are here for all to see.(below). So, the answer is, YES - GMG classics rear child seats can be fitted to the Xtracycle V Racks!
February 11 - Turn your Xtracycle into an eco-friendly business! For one Practical Cycles customer the low startup costs of the Xtracycle Freeradical Kit have enabled them to start a business that gets delivery vans and cars off the local roads - we salute you!
Trish Fenton has formed LocalMotion to collect and deliver locally sourced, and grown produce to the residents of her local town and it's all going to be done using the Xtracycle Kit and Townie purchased from Practical Cycles! We wish her the very best with her venture and challenge YOU to make this the year you use your car less or not at all by going Cargo Bike!
January 19 2010 - A Practical Cycles customer has a used 700c Xtracycle Freeradical Base Kit for sale. They also have a used bike blender and parts for sale too. This could be a nice little promo tool for a business out there or even the start of a nice little business. Interested? Please use our contact form and we will put you in touch with the customer.
January 2, 2010 - The current issue of Velo Vision Magazine carries a review of two of our great Cargo Bikes - the Madsen Bucket Bike and the electrically assisted Yuba Mundo. You can check out the PDF file of the review by clicking here.
January 1, 2010 - Happy New Decade! This will be the decade of the Cargo Bike!
10 December 2009 - A like-minded, cargo biking customer of ours drew our attention to this film short which is a taster of a new documentary about women on bikes in Darlington (a cycling development town). It also discusses issues about how real, safe routes are the way to encouraging more people onto bikes just like in 'proper' cycling countries such as Germany, Holland and Denmark. We thought you might like to take a look...The customer's Yuba Mundo appears in the main documentary and was used as vehicle (literally) for filming other bikes whilst on the move. Is there anything the Yuba Mundo can't do?
Own a Yuba Mundo? Thinking of buying a Yuba Mundo? Why not upgrade to hydraulic rim brakes? The Magura HS11 hydraulic rim brakes have immense stopping power which is great for a heavy-hauling Yuba Mundo - or any other non-disk bike. Check them out in our Brakes shop page.
Thursday 29 October - the Dutch ID 'Double Dutch' Utility Bikes have arrived - join us for a test ride!
Sat 24 October - Yuba Mundo Child Seats are on their way - should be here in a couple of weeks in two nice colours - orange/grey and black/grey. Prices to be confirmed (thanks to the yo-yo-Euro!)
Fri 23 October - We have the Taga Stroller Trike here ready for test rides! Feel free to bring the family and marvel at the 'go anywhere' trike that converts to a premium stroller in seconds - no tools, nothing to lock up, no fuss!
Wed 21 October - We have a consignment of Dutch ID utility bikes on their way to us. First in will be the Double Dutch bike in Mens and Womens frames. These are due in the next 7 days or so. For those interested in the Fillibus and Lorri Cargo bike Models, these are on their way - please contact us for more details or see our Dutch ID information page.
Tues 15 September - We had our Madsen Bucket Bike hi-jacked.....by some friendly clowns at the start of the Blackpool stage of the Tour of Britain. Clowns on bikes - much safer than clowns in cars.
Sun 30 August - Eurobike beckons - expect some new brands, products and surprises at Practical Cycles over the coming months....
Sat 29 August - BACK TO SCHOOL - ditch the car on the school run and take the kids on an Xtracycle! FREE Magic Carpets with all Xtracycle Freeradical Kits FREE postage too!
Wed 12 August - NEW PRODUCTS! - Now on sale - Brooks Saddles, Fibreflare and AXA Locks in our Cargo Bike Parts shop pages.
Saturday 10 July - No longer are hills and headwinds a barrier to a fully loaded cargo bike!...We are testing our newly arrived eZee electrical assist kit! It's currently hooked up to our Yuba Mundo Demo Bike.
Once we've ironed out the wrinkles and stopped having fun on it we'll be putting it up for grabs! We can ship this item as a kit or as a complete bike.
Also look out for the eZee Madsen and eZee Surly Big Dummy which we are also working on.
If you'd like to ask anything about the eZee kit before they go on sale please feel free to call us - 01253 739680 or use our contact page! Test rides are also welcome!
click the picture to warp to the flickr pictures...
Friday 26 June 2009 - YUBA wheels and flat front carriers now in stock!
Thursday 25 June 2009 - We have just uploaded our star rating system to help you buy the Cargo Bike that suits your needs exactly - take a look at our 'How to get the right bike' page.
CTC YORK CYCLESHOW 2009 - THANKS FOR COMING TO SEE US!
Thursday 11 June - Amazing offers on Yuba Mundo, Xtracycle and Madsen ONLY DURING BIKE WEEK (13 - 21 June). Free Footsies Free Go Getter Bag Free T-Shirt ...
Tuesday 9 June - new lower shipping prices on Surly Big Dummy, Yuba Mundo, Bakfiets and Madsen Bikes! All accessories and parts still post free!
Monday 1 June - The Green Door has opened! Welcome to our new Cargo Bike Studio! Click here for more information
NEW EVENT - JUST ADDED! - Kendal Cycle Fest - Abbott Hall Park, Kendal, Cumbria. Saturday 30 May 2009. Click here for more details.
What's behind the green door? Check back here soon to find out!.........
Monday 11 May 2009 - Is this the most reasonably priced Xtracycle conversion ever? A satisfied Practical Cycles customer tells all in their blog...
Sunday 10 May 2009 - come and test ride a cargo bike in Morecambe! It's a bike-related Party on the Prom - we'll be there and so will a Madsen Cargo Bike - exlusively for the first time in the UK! For more details follow the link.
27 April - Practical Cycles in the news! - THE CASE FOR CARGO BIKES -
14 April 2009 - www.practicalcycles.com is Mr Site website of the month! Just to prove it; we have been awarded a rather natty rosette too!
6 April 2009 - THANK YOU to all those who came to visit us at the Chortlon Green Festival on Saturday. What a great event. We hope to see you again at one of our other events this spring/summer...
24 March 2009 - OK, it's official. There is currently a consignment of MADSEN Cargo Bikes heading to the UK with Practical Cycles written clearly on all the boxes! We are absolutely delighted to be working with Madsen to bring these astoundingly beautiful and Practical bikes to the UK. If you want one - act fast - as I am sure they will go quickly! Check out the events page to see when and where you can test ride either the Bucket or Rack version. OR click here to commence drooling!
23 March 2009 - A new review of the Yuba is available here!
22 March 2009 - we will shortly be taking delivery of a stock of Electra Townies. Whether you need an about town bike or a donor bike for your Xtracycle Freeradical project you will be in safe hands with one of these. Due early April. More information here.
12 March - Big Dummy & Xtracycle STOKER KIT coming next week! - check out the Xtracycle deals page.
25 Feb 2009 - CAM STRAPS IN STOCK - see them on the Stability Shop Page
I Bike Manchester Festival & Chorlton Big Green Festival
Practical Cycles are glad to be financially, mentally and physically supporting the I Bike Manchester Festival. It runs from 27 March to 24 April and there are lots of events during that time. We'll be sniffing around a few of them but will also be present with a van-load of longbikes at the Chorlton Green Festival which takes place on Saturday 4 April. Come and support the event and exhibitors and also take our cargo bikes for a spin! Click the logos above to visit the respective webpages.
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Xtracycle and Practical Cycles on BBC RADIO!
On Friday 13 February 2009, Practical Cycles and cargo bikes in general were represented on BBC Radio Lancashire as part of the Paul O'Gorman show (ironically the 'drivetime' slot!). The programme theme was; "How much can you carry on your bike?"
You can listen to 3 short snippets here!
You might also like to listen again to the whole programme as other cargo-cycling advocates were interviewed. Click here to launch the BBC i-player page.
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Feb. 2009 - NEW LONGBIKE - BAKFIETS Cargo Bike!
We have a looong version of this already long bike on its way to us as a demo bike. We can order in any model and colour you like so give us a call for more information or to organise a test ride.
XTRACYCLE 2009. 28 Jan 2009 - We are just a couple of weeks away from taking delivery of our 2009 Xtracycle stock. We expect to have on sale - Freeradical Kits, Adventure Racks, Longtail Kits, Wideloaders, Footsies, Tek Deck, Whatchamacollars and Kickback Stand. Check out our preview page here. Place your order soon because there could be a stampede. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - December 2008 - Dirt Rag Magazine in the USA has just reviewed the Yuba Mundo 6 cargo bike. We like their open and frank approach to reviews and we think this review sums up the Yuba Mundo perfectly. Read the article by clicking here (opens in a new window) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - How can you sell your car and start a low emissions business? Easy! One of Practical Cycle's recent customers over in Hull did just this. Nick at Back2Basics Cycle Couriers converted his mountain bike using the Freeradical Kit he bought from us. He's now one of the most environmentally sound logistics providers in Hull! It just goes to show just how versatile the Xtracycle is - what will you do when you get your Xtracycle from Practical Cycles?....
We will shortly be off to Interbike in Las Vegas, USA to check out the new things happening there and hopefully this will result in some exciting new products going on our website soon.... After that We'll be popping into The Cycle Show at Earls Court for a nosey around there. Then, perhaps most exciting of all, Practical Cycles are exhibiting for the first time at the One Planet Festival being held in Lancaster from October 9 - 12. We'll be at the Sustainability Exposition in Lancaster Town Hall from 10am through to 6pm. There will be an Xtracycle on display so why not take the opportuntiy to take it for a test spin. Come and say hello - we'd be delighted to see you! Click the logo to have a look at the One Planet Festival website. Our performance line of stylish Practical Cycle Wear clothing is being made as you read this! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In the meantime, you might be interested in joining the growing longbike revolution by looking at our Xtracycle Freeradical conversion kits. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Further down the line we are working on offering another longbike - the ridiculously affordable Yuba Mundo. Keep watching this website for more details or save your eyes and sign up for our mailing list to be kept up to date with long bikes and non-goofy cyclewear. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DYNAMO - Lancaster & District Cycle Campaign Practical Cycles is proud to support Dynamo. Watch out for an article on Practical Cycles in the next newsletter! Dynamo is a broad-based group, established in 1994, to work with official bodies, other cycling organisations and interested individuals to promote cycling as a safe, enjoyable and healthy means of transport.
In addition to campaigning, we also organise regular cycle rides to cater for riders of all abilities. We also produce an informative and entertaining newsletter (free to members). Click HERE or logo above to visit their site.