Shop-by-Bike Quiz
Darryl Jordan is putting together a presentation on shopping by bicycle for the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin’s Bike to Work Week activities. He’s asking EcoVelo readers to provide answers to the following questions to be included in his presentation.
- How far do you go to shop by bike?
- What do you shop for mostly?
- How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
- How often do you shop by bicycle?
- What made you choose the store you shop at?
- What makes you avoid a store?
- What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
- How important is parking to the shopping experience?
- Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
- What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike?
- Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
Please leave your answers in the comments for this post or e-mail to Darryl at djview(at)sbcglobal.net. Thanks for your help!
31 Responses to “Shop-by-Bike Quiz”
1. How far do you do to shop by bike?
10 miles roundtrip for farmer’s market (once or twice a week), 3 miles roundtrip to local stores (every day or two).
1. What do you shop for mostly?
food
2. How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
Varies: as little as one item or as many as two very full large panniers.
3. How often do you shop by bicycle?
Nearly every day.
4. What made you choose the store you shop at?
Quality of produce (farmer’s market); Convenience (local stores)
5. What makes you avoid a store?
Bad quality, poor service, bad location.
6. What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
Best: outdoor bike racks. Worst: a tree or lamppost.
7. How important is parking to the shopping experience?
Very important. I need a secure place nearby to lock my bike.
8. Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
Usually just one stop, and I walk to different destinations from there. I take my panniers with me.
9. What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would prefer for your bike?
Rear rack with panniers. I am considering a trailer for big shopping days or large loads.
10. Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
Rear-wheel loads.
1. How far do you go to shop by bike?
Up to 15-20 miles round trip, though often we make shorter trips under 2 miles to the grocery store, restaurants, etc.
2. What do you shop for mostly?
Groceries, household items, could be almost anything that will fit on a pair of bikes.
3. How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
A week’s worth of groceries for three people, once a week, with fill in trips every day or two. We also use bikes for trips to restaurants and coffee shops, commuting, trips to the dentist, trips to visit relatives, etc.
4. How often do you shop by bicycle?
Up to 5 days a week, though sometimes fewer.
5. What made you choose the store you shop at?
The usual criteria (quality, price, service) only there is a geographic limit when taking the bikes.
6. What makes you avoid a store?
See #5.
7. What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
A: Indoor. B: Hidden from view and far from the entrance to the store.
8. How important is parking to the shopping experience?
Not that important. We often shop together, so if parking is an issue, one of us stays with the bikes. This would be more of an issue for people traveling alone.
9. Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
We often make several stops, mostly to be efficient. Sprawl is a big issue in California, so it’s not practical to make 2-3 10 mile trips across town every day.
10 What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would prefer for your bike?
We rely upon large, Euro-style rear panniers for most of our larger loads, plus I have a Pass & Stow cargo rack on the front of one of my bikes for hauling bulkier items. We still need a way to haul even larger items – a Surly Big Dummy is probably in our future.
11. Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
Balanced loads are the best, though we often just throw everything into the rear panniers out of convenience, then load the front racks and baskets if there’s any overflow. Do as I say, not as I do… ;-)
1. How far do you go to shop by bike?
6+/- miles one way with round trips in the 12-15 mile range.
2. What do you shop for mostly?
Groceries, library books (not shopping), occasional hardware store run. Farmers Markets when in season and next week we start with our CSA.
3. How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
$50 to $200. We can shop for all of our groceries by bike.
4. How often do you shop by bicycle?
2-3 days a week.
5. What made you choose the store you shop at?
We shop at numerous, but the fact that our local coop is close and right downtown and near the pedestrian mall, the farmer’s market, etc. etc.
6. What makes you avoid a store?
There are a few stores we find it hard to bike to – mainly due to having to ride on 4 lane arterial type roads, notorious for impatient drivers.
7. What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
With my single biek I like lots of handrail space. Official ‘bike racks’ are a pain – no one knows how to use them, and your options are limited. With our bakfiets, it doesn’t really matter – I lock the wheel lock wherever it is convenient.
8. How important is parking to the shopping experience?
I like having something close by – with good visibility.
9. Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
We do multiple stops, as needed. Security is a bit of a concern – but visibility (see above) helps.
10. What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike?
Bakfiets! Plenty of cargo capacity. On my town bike I have several Carradice bags and racks…
11. Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
On the bakfiets – centered, low, front load, between the wheels! On my other rides – it doesn’t really matter – messenger bag, rear Carradice bag, front rack, etc.
1. How far do you go to shop by bike?
4+ miles
2. What do you shop for mostly?
Food
3. How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
£20-£60 worth
4. How often do you shop by bicycle?
Every week
5. What made you choose the store you shop at?
Covered bike parking
6. What makes you avoid a store?
Lack of bicycle facilities
7. What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
Best: Covered and lit parking, Least: No parking at all!
8. How important is parking to the shopping experience?
Incredibly important. I can’t shop without it!
9. Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
One stop at the most. Security and perishable goods are paramount.
10. What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike?
Have: Large messenger bag, rack space and pannier set. Would like: front rack.
11. Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
Rear wheel loads for ease of use, front wheel loads for ease of access.
-How far do you go to shop by bike?
Typically 10 mile rount trip for groceries, other shopping trips are less than 25 round, mainly because of geography
-What do you shop for mostly?
Most often groceries
-How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
Depends on the panniers I bring or if I’m pulling my trailer. Measured by those big re-usable bags – max with the trailer is around 3.5 of those, plus some loose small stuff, plus a huge package of paper towels lashed to the top, and if I bothered to mount shopper panniers, two more big bags, but a load like that would keep me supplied for 3-4 weeks, so my normal mid week grocery shopping is probably 1 bag (pannier) and my bi-weekly run is 3 bags (max). Those bags hold a ton-o-stuff.
-How often do you shop by bicycle?
2-3 times a week, or more, depends on whim
-What made you choose the store you shop at?
Quality, price, accessablilty
-What makes you avoid a store?
Accessability, quality, price
-What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
Best: Anywhere secure and out of the way. Least: Anything unsecure (no visibilty, no anchor points) or crowded racks no matter how secure.
-How important is parking to the shopping experience?
I won’t shop at any store where I’m unsure about my parked bike.
-Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
This varies greatly. My trailer box locks and no one is likely to steal broccolli if I’m using open panniers, etc. Depends on the day, bike configuration, and what I’m buying. But basically, I don’t mind making several shopping trips because it’s bike riding and that’s what I do for fun anyway.
-What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike?
Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
My choices are limited to trailer, rear panniers, or around my neck. I perfer not to hang stuff around my neck if I don’t have to.
1. How far do you go to shop by bike?
A mile round trip to my favorite grocery store or my neighborhood produce stand, 3 miles round trip for fred meyers (for frozen stuff, shampoo, etc) or the farmers market
2. What do you shop for mostly?
Most of my shopping is done for groceries… most other things I shop for I go by bike, when I need stuff
3. How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
Usually less than 50 dollars worth of groceries… if I’m majorly stocking up on stuff at Fred Meyers I’ll take the bus
4. How often do you shop by bicycle?
At least once a week, but more like 2 or 3 if I’m cooking at all
5. What made you choose the store you shop at?
I shop at New Seasons the most because its half a mile away down a bike boulevard, one of the most popular biking streets in the city. Their prices arent super inflated like Whole Foods and they have a lot of local stuff, including lots of bulk stuff. They also have insane amounts of bike parking because its a locally owned natural food store
6. What makes you avoid a store?
Being too far away, having bad bike parking
7. What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
I prefer good ol staple racks
8. How important is parking to the shopping experience?
If I can’t find a place to park my bike how am I supposed to go into a store?
9. Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
Usually just one stop, unless I’m stopping by the produce stand on my way to another store. Mostly because I dont usually need to go all over the place in one day
10. What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike?
I use my backpack, have a decent-sized waterproof pannier, and sometimes borrow my boyfriend’s two bike buckets
11. Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
Generally I prefer a rear wheel load, when I’m not carrying it on my back. When I use the buckets cause Im carrying lots of groceries I prefer to balance the weight between the two, even if it might all fit in one
1. How far do you go to shop by bike? 3 to 10 miles
2. What do you shop for mostly? Anything that will fit in my panniers. Groceries, hardware, bike stuff, wine, etc.
3. How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike? Depends. I can carry 4 plastic grocery bags easily.
4. How often do you shop by bicycle? several times each week.
5. What made you choose the store you shop at? quality. responsiveness to my request for better bike parking.
6. What makes you avoid a store? bad bike parking
7. What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least? Best: vertical inverted U’s. Least: grade school wheel-catchers
8. How important is parking to the shopping experience? Extremely. I write letters to stores that have inadequate parking for bikes.
9. Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores? I usually make multiple stops. I time the stops to eliminate having too much on the bike when it’s unattended but I have had very few problems.
10. What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike? I have a set of rear panniers and a trunk bag. I occasionally have front panniers and handlebar bag but very rarely.
11. Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads? Rear wheel loads.
1. How far do you go to shop by bike?
3.5 miles round trip
2. What do you shop for mostly?
Food.
3. How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
Varies from single item to full weeks groceries
4. How often do you shop by bicycle?
2-3 times a week
5. What made you choose the store you shop at?
We have 2 supermarkets and a range of shops within the distance above so it depends on what we need as to what shop we use.
6. What makes you avoid a store?
Apart from the selection of produce nothing as the convenience of the bike means we can just about park and lock anywhere.
7. What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
On street to lamp post
8. How important is parking to the shopping experience?
For a large shop where the trailer is involved we need some space for the whole rig to be parked safely and securely.
9. Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
Usually one, but being so close we tend to do frequent runs if we’ve forgotten something.
10. What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike?
Trailer (Cargo II) and pannier and rack.
11. Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
Rear
Addition to question 7 – least lamp post or other street furniture, best sheffield bars with lots of room for trailer.
1. How far do you go to shop by bike?
I don’t know the distance, but anywhere within half an hour’s ride.
2. What do you shop for mostly?
grocery
3. How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
about a pannier bag’s worth. usually less than $20.
4. How often do you shop by bicycle?
everyday or every other day
5. What made you choose the store you shop at?
quality of goods, service, & reasonable pricing
6. What makes you avoid a store?
bad quality of goods, bad service, bad atmosphere, over pricing.
7. What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
regular inverted U racks are fine if there’s enough spacing in between.
lack of bike racks in the vicinity of store is a problem.
8. How important is parking to the shopping experience?
secure and visible parking is very important. I had a bike stolen from a store once. It was because of the cable lock I used, but also because it was to the side of the store and out of view.
9. Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
Mostly just one stop, but sometimes two. It is partly due to the amount I can carry on my bike, but also because I think going to one store at a time is enough for me. I’d rather spend my time doing other things like going to a park or riding along a scenic route.
10. What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike?
I have a rear rack with one pannier bag. If I need to carry more, I can put stuff in a cloth bag and tie it to the rack or carry a backpack. I think a secondary pannier bag might be useful. Sometimes, I need to carry large flat items so I’ve made a wooden carrier that attaches to the rack, but I would love to have something similar that’s better designed.
11. Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
rear wheel loads. My bike is a roadbike with STI shifters, and I don’t think having a rack or basket up front would work so well. for this bike, rear loads works just fine.
1. All around my home town of Eindhoven. Say up to 10 km. Most common is a 2 km return trip to get groceries, which I mostly combine with my commute back from work.
2. Food and groceries.
3. I carry a 30 liter bag. Usually this is at least half full to completely stuffed after shopping.
4. Every other day on average.
5. Closest to home and my regular commute route.
6. I don’t really have stores that I avoid.
7. Best: anywhere I can lock my bike to something with my chain lock. Worst: nothing to lock my bike to.
8. In the Netherlands, most shops have bike parking close to the entrance. Usually much closer than the carpark. This is a big bonus.
9. I tend to make one stop for groceries shopping. But leaving my bike parked and locked to visit several shops for other shopping doesn’t worry me.
10. I have a 30 liters Radical Design recumbent bag that can be clipped to my rear rack and unclips easily to function as a carry bag (with shoulder strap) as well. Perfect for shopping.
11. My recumbent can only carry luggage on the back rack or strapped to the seat. On DF bikes I avoid heavy loads on the front wheel that turn with the steering for safety reasons.
1. No matter where I am shopping in Santa Cruz (CA), almost always less than 2 miles from my home.
2. Most of my shopping trips are for food and comic books.
3. Never more than I can fit in a backpack. That’s a little more than one full brown paper grocery bag.
4. 1-2 times a week.
5. I shop at different stores for different things. My housemate/best friend is a manager at a natural foods store. I shop there a lot because I get a discount.
6. Not much. If a store has something I need and no one else does I will usually shop there. I try to find the best prices when I can but that’s not all that matters. Local and fresh for produce. Farmer’s markets for sure.
7. I hate feeling like my bike is in people’s way but some of the bike parking around here is oddly placed too close to walkways. I like bike parking that is out of the way but in a well lit, exposed area. A locker would also be awesome but I’ve never used one before.
8. It’s not if I can bring my bike in the store and many businesses around here don’t mind. Otherwise, I wouldn’t leave my bike unlocked anywhere in town.
9. I’ll usually make at least two stops on an “errand” trip. But, if I’m food shopping and something needs to get in the fridge or if a load is heavy I might just make one stop.
10. A front basket might be in my future, for little stuff. One that I can easily take on and off. I don’t even have a rear rack so I’m probably in the minority on this site. I like a fast bike when I’m not running errands and I don’t mind wearing a backpack.
11. I have the most experience with a rear wheel load but a friend of mine builds a front wheel lad cargo fork that I really like. It’s built with a custom fork and a 20″ front wheel on regular 700c road bike. It’s swell.
How far do you go to shop by bike? Up to five miles
What do you shop for mostly? Groceries
How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike? Up to four paper bags plus two six-packs; usually two bags and one six-pack.
How often do you shop by bicycle? Weekly
What made you choose the store you shop at? It’s where I would shop anyway
What makes you avoid a store? No bike parking
What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least? Best–anything that works for locking up. Least–missing or already full.
How important is parking to the shopping experience? Very. Can’t take the bike into the store.
Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores? Usually one. Both reasons.
What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike? Xtracycle with the big bags (forget what they call them). I have a different bike for when I’m not hauling stuff.
Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads? Rear. The xtracycle geometry shifts some of the weight to the front, but all the weight is low and doesn’t shift when the front wheel turns to go around corners.
1. How far do you go to shop by bike?
The longest shopping specific trip has been 30m
2. What do you shop for mostly?
Everything. Groceries, new bikes ;), pet supplies, hardware, electronics, etc.
3. How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
Groceries for a week for three or about the equivalent. Generally if its going to be more than 150lbs split between the two bikes or includes something really odd to pack we’ll consider making a separate trip.
4. How often do you shop by bicycle?
At least a couple times per week, sometimes as frequently as daily.
5. What made you choose the store you shop at?
Product quality and service
6. What makes you avoid a store?
Generally if I want what the place has I’ll go unless the customer service is terrible. In that case I’ll find an alternative (order online from a company I do like) or do without
7. What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
Best: Generally the location, most of the time its close to the entrance and in easy view which is particularly helpful if there are multiple stops and merchandise from previous stores have to remain on the bike.
Least: The effort trying to get bikes situated, locked up, etc in locations that are often an afterthought. Too many places take the “we’ve got a little room over there in the corner, put the bike rack there” approach or don’t have on at all which adds time and frustrution to the process.
8. How important is parking to the shopping experience?
Its not high on the list but it is important. If there’s some herculean effort required to shop at a place (like having to park across the street or on the next block) I’ll at least mention it to the store manager but as long as its not too inconvenient it won’t keep me from going there.
9. Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
10 What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would prefer for your bike?
I have an Xtracycle and a BOB trailer and panniers for the other bikes. My wife also has an Xtracycle. The only thing I feel missing and will be adding at some point in the future is a large flat-bed trailer for hauling things like appliances.
11. Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
Generally all of my loads are rear-wheel. I don’t like handlebar loads as a rule with any of the bikes I have and the Xtracycles and BOB haul enough that I haven’t seen the need to add any load hauling capability to the front of any of the bikes.
1. How far do you do to shop by bike?
I would shop up to 10 miles round trip though most places are close to my house. Trader Joes is the farthest but still only about 3-4 miles away.
1. What do you shop for mostly? I will shop for anything on my bike if it’s within 5 miles, but mainly food.
2. How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike? I have a Topeak back basket that holds up to 50lbs and I push it to its wobbly limit. I’ve put 3 heavy bags of groceries on the bike. I look like a circus act.
3. How often do you shop by bicycle?
3-4 times a week which includes regular errands.
4. What made you choose the store you shop at? Quality merchandise, good service
5. What makes you avoid a store? Bad quality, poor service, bad location.
6. What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least? Dang, I never think about that. I just lock my baby up anywhere. Am I banned from the site now?? I’m always thinking, “Awesome, I always get the best parking in the place!†(In relation to cars . . .)
7. How important is parking to the shopping experience? I guess not at all!
8. Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? If I need to make several, I make several. Doesn’t stop me usually.
9. What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would prefer for your bike? I have the Topeak back basket. I want to explore the big open panniers. I like the idea of being able to load up my bike as much as I need.
10. Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads? I like rear-wheel. Seems more stable to me.
1.How far do you go to shop by bike?
3-5 miles from home or work
2.What do you shop for mostly?
Smaller quantities of groceries and hardware bits.
3.How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
One large seatbag (Carridice Nelson) and on occasion a full Burley trailer full.
4.How often do you shop by bicycle?
2-3 times a week.
5.What made you choose the store you shop at?
Location and commodity type (groceries, hardware,etc)
6.What makes you avoid a store?
Quality, convenience, stores in my hometown are pretty accomodating towards bikes, bike parking is mandated for all new commercial construction.
7.What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
Staple type, best: tree, parking meter, least
8.How important is parking to the shopping experience?
On a scale of 1 to 10, about a 3, when I’m in my hometown.
9.Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores? Yes I generally combine errands, usually what I’m carrying is generally not worth stealing and would only be a minor nuisance if it were stolen.
10.What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike?
Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads? For small items I prefer a large seatbag (see no. 3) for larger loads (up to 100 lbs) a trailer works fine.
1. How far do you go to shop by bike?
Farthest is 26 miles round trip; typical is 6 miles round trip
2. What do you shop for mostly?
Groceries
3. How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
About $30
4. How often do you shop by bicycle?
Every Sunday
5. What made you choose the store you shop at?
Proximity
6. What makes you avoid a store?
Merchandise, distance
7. What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
Don’t care (I’m not in a high crime area)
8. How important is parking to the shopping experience?
Not at all
9. Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
Have made several stops but typically only go for groceries; no concern with leaving merchandise in a bike bag while in another store
10. What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike?
Rack, panniers, and trunk bag
11. Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
Rear
Ah, another great bike-poll.
1. How far do you go to shop by bike?
Most of my bike shopping is fairly local; fewer than five miles each way. This also corresponds to the shops that I need to visit most frequently (groceries, drug store, hardware store).
2. What do you shop for mostly?
My family belongs to a CSA (community-supported agriculture) group, so we have our produce delivered. Before that, we did a lot of grocery shopping on the bike. Nowadays, it’s mostly for specialty groceries (the aforementioned Trader Joe’s or the farmer’s market) and whatever we need that’ll fit on the bike. Pharmacy stuff, parts from the hardware store, books, CDs. A special mention for three other uses — going to the post office to mail stuff (packages), going to the library and going out to eat.
3. How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
As much as will fit in the panniers, usually. On big days I’ll take a Burley trailer. Within reason I’ll carry anything that will fit.
4. How often do you shop by bicycle?
It varies, but several times a week, typically.
5. What made you choose the store you shop at?
Quality of merchandise and a desire to support local businesses. If one of two roughly equivalent stores has better bike parking, I’ll pick that one.
6. What makes you avoid a store?
Beyond things that make me avoid *any* store regardless of how I’m getting there, when I’m on the bicycle I avoid stores/shopping centres with really poor bicycle access or parking/lockup opportunities.
7. What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
Best: dedicated, quality racks in a visible but unobtrusive location (not the old-style metal loop that you put a front tire in). Second best: a strong, well-located pole/post. Least: The metal loops, a tree, something that blocks pedestrians.
8. How important is parking to the shopping experience?
For the most part it’s not a big deal, but I’ll choose between equivalent stores (such as two Long’s Drug stores) based on parking. I care more about quality parking in certain areas than others, and when I have the whole family with four bikes, parking is more of a concern.
9. Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
I try to group errands if possible. If I need to carry a lot of groceries or other merchandise I may only do a single trip. I have removable panniers (Ortlieb) so I can easily carry them into a subsequent store. I try to go to the store with the heaviest/bulkiest items last. I am generally *not* comfortable with leaving my purchases on the bike.
10. What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike?
My daily bike has a rear rack with trunk and panniers, and this is what I use most of the time. I also have a Burley kid trailer that is now used as a cargo trailer for runs to the farmer’s market. I’m considering a front rack and will probably get an Xtracycle at some point.
11. Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
I’ve never had a bike with a front rack. I started with a backpack and graduated to a rear rack with panniers and a trunk. I’ve used a front basket and if well-mounted they can carry a reasonable amount of weight.
How far do you go to shop by bike? Generally under 5 miles each, although as little as under a mile round-trip to the nearest grocery store.
What do you shop for mostly? Food & sundries mostly, but I also get library books or go to the Goodwill.
How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike? Many of my smaller trips are for just one or two missing ingredients, but I’ve stuffed my rear panniers full a number of times.
How often do you shop by bicycle? Several times a week.
What made you choose the store you shop at? One is a few blocks from my house; another is a few blocks from my office, as is the Goodwill. There’s only one library and only one farmer’s market. :) There’s another store that I’d like to shop at more often, because they have better prices & selection, but I don’t have the carrying capacity (yet) for the amount we buy there.
What makes you avoid a store? Inconvenient location or hours, bad prices or selection.
What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least? The food co-op in town has this AMAZING bike garage. Something well-covered is key, especially in the rainy months. Having to go hunt for a lamppost or tree is the pits.
How important is parking to the shopping experience? Pretty important. If the parking is sketchy (bad rack, out of the way) or not well covered, I don’t feel comfortable with my shopping.
Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores? Very occasionally I make multiple stops, usually it’s just because the places I want to go aren’t all along the same route.
What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike? I have waterproof rear panniers, as well as a set of those plastic buckets (which are nice for groceries). I have an Xtracycle kit that I’m going to be putting on an old bike, but I haven’t yet done so.
Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads? I really only have experience with rear-wheel loads, although at one point I had a nice little handlebar bag, and that was useful for maps, lock, etc.
1. How far do you go to shop by bike?
10-20 kms
2. What do you shop for mostly?
Food, supplies for me and my birds.
3. How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
As much as can fill my bags most of the time!
4. How often do you shop by bicycle?
4-5 times a week ( I have no car)
5. What made you choose the store you shop at?
Closest, cheapest, best selection.
6. What makes you avoid a store? Bad staff, bad prices, too far away.
7. What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least? Bike racks the most, fences and signs the least. And security and high visibility, to deter thefts. I don’t like when there is no good place to lock the bike nearby.
8. How important is parking to the shopping experience? Very important, want my bike to still be there when I return to it..
9. Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores? Several stops. Sometimes, I carry what I bought at other places along, although if it’s small stuff, I also may just leave it in panniers if I will be gone for a short amount of time. If it’s a big load, ie shopping, I also sometimes go straight home.
10. What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike?
I have 2 wonderfully big Shopping panniers by Basil. Amazing what I can load into it, best investment ever!
11. Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
Prefer back..not used to having front bag/basket, prefer no bags there..at this time. But I could always change that in the future.
• How far do you go to shop by bike?
For shopping : up to 1 mile
• What do you shop for mostly?
Food. Hardware store. Bike shops.
• How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
About one panier.
• How often do you shop by bicycle?
2ce a week
• What made you choose the store you shop at?
Not too far, safe route, parking. Plus the usual choice/quality/prices
• What makes you avoid a store?
Lack of parking. Steep hills.
• What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
Best : Parking meters. Some bike racks that are really thought out
Least : bike racks that hold the front wheel.
• How important is parking to the shopping experience?
Very
• Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop?
Usually 1m on occasion 2
Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
Non, I just don’t like shopping tours.
• What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike?
I use the Arkel Bug panier.
Going with my BOB would be nice but theft is a concern here.
• Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
Best : bob
Fine : rear-wheel.
1. How far do you go to shop by bike?
Most grocery stores I go to are more or less on the way home. I rarely feel that I’m going very far out of my way.
2. What do you shop for mostly?
We get a CSA box with veggies, so I only need to top up on non-veggie things. There’s an organic bulk food co-op where I get most things, but I also go to a local butcher and various “ethnic” grocery stores.
3. How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
Since the stores are fairly close to my normal route, I prefer little and often. I have a large Wald basket on the front, and usually manage just by filling that FULL (I have an elastic cargo net – so I can pile it high!) At the most, I also have 2 smallish front panniers that I put on the back if I’m doing a big shop.
4. How often do you shop by bicycle?
2-3 times a week.
5. What made you choose the store you shop at?
Quality produce that is local and organic. That it’s a co-op doesn’t hurt either.
6. What makes you avoid a store?
I dislike Safeway etc. because I don’t eat any processed foods, and find the quality of produce not to be that great. It’s also (surprisingly) not cheaper than the organic store (yay Rainbow Grocery in SF!)
I also dislike/avoid stores that are located in heavily car-dominated areas. I quite like Trader Joe’s, but it’s in a really nasty area of SF – 4 lane speedways all around it.
7. What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
Upside-down U-racks are the best. Secure, and support the frame fully. At Rainbow they have “wave” racks, which are maybe 2nd best – especially because they are right in the line of sight of the parking attendant. The worst are the old “wheel-bender” type racks that don’t support the frame and make it impossible to lock the bike securely.
8. How important is parking to the shopping experience?
Having secure parking is essential. A store that doesn’t have it will not get my custom. Fortunately most stores in SF have parking, or are near parking.
9. Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
I often make several stops on my commute home.
10. What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike?
I have a large front Wald basket and a rear rack plus an assortment of waterproof panniers. Most days I just use the basket with whatever bag I happen to be using. The wife’s bike has a rear rack with folding baskets.
11. Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
90% of the time I just have a front load. The basket is just so easy and convenient. It does effect the handling a bit when the load gets heavy (20 lbs?). I don’t mind rear loads at all, but rarely need the additional carrying capacity.
1. How far do you go to shop by bike?
About 1.5 miles for general groceries, 10+ miles for farm fresh produce
2. What do you shop for mostly?
Groceries
3. How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
As much as I can carry or need for the week
4. How often do you shop by bicycle?
As often as needed, usually once a week
5. What made you choose the store you shop at?
It is the closest one, next store is over 7 miles away on a high speed arterial road
6. What makes you avoid a store?
? Distance from home, lack of access
7. What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
What is bike parking? I prefer a solid rack that the frame can be locked to, in my case it is the cart corral under the front overhang of the building. Least favorite are the cheap wheel bender racks.
8. How important is parking to the shopping experience?
as long as I have something secure to lock to I am happy, no secure locking point, no shopping
9. Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
I only have one store in reasonable range so only one stop
10. What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike?
I use: Rear panniers, rear baskets, front baskets and a backpack if necessary. Total capacity probably exceeds 50 cubic liters.
11. Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
All of the above, allows me to balance loads to keep handling fairly stable.
1. I live in Chico, CA which is quite compact so a one way trip is never more than 5 miles.
2. Everything! I sold my car this spring and am now a bicycle only person. I did borrow the neighbors car to get a new TV home. I ‘m planning on buying a trailer for large items like that.
3. I tend to shop every other day on average, so about 1/2 bag worth. It’s actually easier than planning a week’s worth of grocery shopping.
4. Every other day.
5. Proximity to a “rails to trails” bikepath.
6. Lack of safe cycling access, poor bicycle parking.
7. U shaped steel tubes are best. I refuse to park in wheel bender racks and that’s why I don’t shop at one local grocery store.
8. Absolutely critical.
9. Maybe two stops if the stuff is small enough. It gets pretty hot here in the summer so groceries need to go straight home and if there’s anything of value, the same thing.
10. Rear panniers and a trunk bag. I’m looking for a good front rack that can carry over 20 pounds.
11. For grocery shopping, the rear panniers and trunk bag are fine. However, a front rack would be much easier for carrying large, bulky loads.
Hi Nipper, from Taunton in the UK
1. How far do you go to shop by bike?
4 mile round trip.
2. What do you shop for mostly?
I do all my shopping by bicycle, mostly this is food shopping. I have never driven a car so the bicycle has always been my mode of transport.
3. How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
For many years I have carried up to about 60lbs of supermarket shopping strapped and tied to the back of my bike. I now have a cargo trailer.
4. How often do you shop by bicycle?
2 or 3 times a week
5. What made you choose the store you shop at?
Quality of produce and availability of fairtrade products
6. What makes you avoid a store?
NO BIKE PARKING
7. What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
Covered, by the front door, metal U shaped stands
8. How important is parking to the shopping experience?
Quite important as I don’t want my bike to be stolen
9. Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
Several stops, but always finishing with the big supermarket shop
10. What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike?
I have a Carradice longflap saddlebag, it has lasted 20 years and is still the best bit of cycle luggage available, you can even carry ukuleles in it! I have rear panniers and an Avenir cargo trailer.
11. Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
Hate front loads of any kind except the wicker basket my mother had on her bike, that was cool. Rear wheel or trailer is best. If I was rich enough I would ride a cargo bike, they look to be the best for large loads.
Best
Nipper
1. How far do you go to shop by bike?
2 miles round trip to my co-op. 12 miles round trip to my big box stores. 20 miles round trip of I make multiple stops (which is as far as you can bike in my North Dakota town and stay within city limits).
2. What do you shop for mostly?
Whatever our family of four needs: groceries, essentials, toilet paper, hardware store, borrowed tools from my parents (10 foot long tree-trimmer in trailer)…
3. How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
Everything we need, including stocking up at Sam’s Club (12 mile trip with trailer).
4. How often do you shop by bicycle?
At least every other day, often every day.
5. What made you choose the store you shop at?
Good service, good selection, fair prices (no different than shopping by foot or car).
6. What makes you avoid a store?
Bad or slow service, long waits to check-out.
7. What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
Best is anything to lock to. Worst is nothing. However, I often just lock my front wheel to my frame if nothing is present to lock to. This happens routinely. However, I live in North Dakota, where crime is low.
8. How important is parking to the shopping experience?
It’s never deterred me from shopping somewhere, so apparently not that important.
9. Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
Often multiple stops. I carry my panniers inside with me if necessary, but my wife will often leave panniers or the bike trailer full of groceries outside a store, and run into another store.
10. What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike?
Rear panniers and a bike trailer for my kids that I load up when necessary (sometimes with one child squeezed next to cargo). I’m considering a front rack of some kind. Also, once my children outgrow the trailer, I might make modifications to make it cargo-specific.
11. Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
Rear for now, but that’s all I have. I am considering a front rack, especially after recently seeing an image of someone carrying a vacuum cleaner in its box on a front rack. With my Burley trailer, I can carry just about anything.
1. How far do you go to shop by bike?
from a couple of miles up to 20 return
2. What do you shop for mostly?
groceries; also gardening needs (from plants and stakes to bags of compost and cement – 75kg being my biggest load to date)
3. How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
Variable
4. How often do you shop by bicycle?
3-4 times per week
5. What made you choose the store you shop at?
primarily convenience of bike parking and range of products on offer
6. What makes you avoid a store?
poor range of produce and dodgy bike parking
7. What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
something solid to lock my bike to (though theft isn’t a major problem round here, and my bike is not a thief magnet!)
8. How important is parking to the shopping experience?
moderately – though I have a bike that is of low value specifically for shopping
9. Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
can do several stops – don’t generally worry too much about security
10. What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike?
(have) two rear panniers (say 40 litres), strap things to top of rack, large Y-frame trailer
11. Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
definitely rear wheel loads!
1. 2-5 miles depending on what I’m shopping for
2. Groceries
3. two medium panniers worth or somewhere between two and four shopping bags.
4. couple times a month.
5. It is a store I usually go to, or another store I need to go to is nearby (same shopping center)
6. Bad or dangerous roads, or no way possible to lock up bike.
7. Upside-down U shapped lock stands. Next best are the upside-down U shapes where one or both legs connect to another upside-down U with the next upside-down U.
8. Pretty important, but if I can see my bike from anywhere in the store or I can bring the bike into the store it doesn’t matter that much.
9. If the purchases aren’t too big and I can easily carry them into the next store I’ll make multiple stops. Otherwise I’ll make just one.
10. I use medium pannier from REI. I would like a cargo trailer for larger purchases or trips (Home Depot, full weeks groceries for family, turn in all recycling, etc.)
11. I ride recumbents (Optima Lynxx & Bacchetta Giro 26). The Optima has rear racks, the Bacchetta has an under seat rack from TerraCycle. I much prefer the under seat rack on the Bacchetta. Handling is little affected from the weight.
1. How far do you go to shop by bike?
The stores vary from .5 to 3 miles away. I also have an 11 mile loop dropping off trash and recycling, then picking up dog food.
2. What do you shop for mostly?
Groceries, dog food, beverages, hardware, miscellaneous errands like the bank or post office.
3. How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
With my trailer, 30-40 pounds is a typical big grocery shopping trip for the week.
4. How often do you shop by bicycle?
Two to three times.
5. What made you choose the store you shop at?
It’s a small town so there are only two stores selling groceries. My preferred supermarket has better produce.
6. What makes you avoid a store?
I avoid getting groceries at the Walmart as there is more traffic, no bike rack, and to keep the other supermarket in business.
7. What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
A bike rack positioned so there is enough room for my trailer.
8. How important is parking to the shopping experience?
Important with the trailer. Not too important just with my bike.
9. Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
I try to combine trips.
10. What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike?
I currently have a BOB trailer. The most I have carried on it is 66 pounds but it handles better with 1/2 that much. No racks but small front bag and saddle bag, also backpacks/ courier packs. What I have works pretty well.
11. Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
A trailer for big loads and a backpack or saddle bag for small errands.
How far do you go to shop by bike?
-usually 10-15 miles round trip, commute to work included
What do you shop for mostly?
-Usually groceries, also library, household items, and clothes
How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
-Whatever I can fit in my rear basket and backpack
How often do you shop by bicycle?
-Nearly every day
What made you choose the store you shop at?
-Distance, quality of produce, ability to buy everything I need and fit it on my bike, road quality and amount of cars (and speed limit for those cars) on the trip there/back
What makes you avoid a store?
-Bad bike parking, far away, excessively busy roads
What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
-Best: bike racks out front, Least: tree, parking sign, bench
How important is parking to the shopping experience?
-Very, although not as important as the quality of the route. I will choose my stores (or restaurants, bars, etc) based on whether I can park my bike there.
Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
-I usually consolidate and do a little shopping every day on the way to/from work so that I can fit everything in my basket or on my back if necessary. For small errands that don’t involve taking home lots of groceries or heavy/perishable items I’ll usually do many at once.
What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would you prefer for your bike?
-Rear rack, with basket, and backpack if needed
Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
-Rear-wheel loads, although I would like to be able to see my load. A few near-losses going over bumps and RR tracks mean I’ve become creative strapping things into my basket, even though it’s tall. But I wouldn’t trade it for the weight distribution on the front, and I’ve never tried rear paniers, although I’d like to.
- How far do you do to shop by bike?
10-15 miles round trip, sometimes longer for specialty items, sometimes shorter for grocery and farm stand
-What do you shop for mostly?
Food and household suplies, pet food…ect
- How much produce/merchandise do you purchase when you shop by bike?
As much as I can carry with the bags I have at the time. This keeps the amount of trips down. Or, if its a real nice day, I will carry very little, so I have to take more trips giving me more time on the bike.
- How often do you shop by bicycle?
3-4 Times a week
- What made you choose the store you shop at?
The usual. Price, loation, bike rack…ect
- What makes you avoid a store?
No bike parking, location, price…ect
- What kind of bike parking do you like the best, the least?
A.) Close to entrance, secure bike rack B) alley, tree, post… Away from entrance or not virable.
- How important is parking to the shopping experience?
Very little
- Do you make several stops on your bike errand or do you just make one stop? Is that due to the amount you want to carry on the bike or security of the merchandise while shopping at other stores?
Umm…Yes. Both to both answers
- What kind of cargo capabilities do you have or would prefer for your bike?
Would like a BD or the like. May pick up a cargo trailer for hardware store, lumber, yard supply runs
- Do you prefer rear-wheel loads, front-wheel loads, handlebar loads?
Front or trailer