A sustainable summer vacation: with the FINN cargo bike

Summer is just around the corner - for many, that means getting out of the city and going on vacation. The bicycle is becoming increasingly popular as a means of transportation: according to the ADFC, a total of 4.6 million Germans took a bike trip with at least three overnight stays in 2022. No wonder, because traveling by bike is in line with the current travel trends of sustainability and slow travel, which means decelerated, slow travel. Here, the journey is the destination and travelers treat themselves to the luxury of slowness as a balance to their fast-paced everyday lives. The bicycle has the ideal speed for this: you make faster progress than when hiking and can still immerse yourself in the landscape and enjoy being on the road, unlike in a car. When traveling by bike, the fresh air blows around your nose and there is no need to search for a parking space when you stop spontaneously. Many people also choose to go on vacation on two wheels, as this type of travel is more affordable than others.

Whether for camping, a trip to the lake or as a touring bike for multi-day tours - the cargo bike has a number of advantages. The environmental friendliness of traveling by bike instead of by car is beyond question. However, one hurdle that cyclists repeatedly encounter is luggage, especially with children. Two or even three panniers on the pannier rack, two more at the front and an additional handlebar bag? You might ask yourself: Why not go on a trip with a cargo bike? After all, this is exactly what a cargo bike was made for - it's like a bike with a trunk. Thanks to the additional loading area and electric assistance, you can pack much more generously than with normal bicycles. In addition, the luggage can be left covered on the loading area for a night as, unlike panniers, it cannot be stolen quickly. The handling of cargo bikes is specially adapted to the full load.

Manufacturers such as VSC.Bike develop extra smooth-running cargo bikes with a small turning circle, such as the FINN model. Thanks to the smooth ride, the bike remains fun to ride even over long distances. And with the electrification provided by the Pendix eDrive IN rear motor, even steep inclines and mountainous terrain are no longer a problem when traveling. In addition, the battery lasts longer thanks to the recuperation function. Charging is usually easy overnight at campsites or in hotels and guesthouses. The new Cargobike weighs just 30.5 kilograms including the motor. It can be loaded with up to 154 kilograms. Another advantage for traveling: Thanks to gearless technology, the motor is completely silent and maintenance-free. This allows travelers to concentrate on the beautiful scenery and varied impressions that can only be gained on the road by bike.

Thanks to the extensive network of around 40,000 kilometers of cycle paths, travelers in Germany are spoilt for choice. Virtually all regions can be explored by cyclists. According to the Cycling Travel Analysis 2023, the Weser Cycle Path, Elbe Cycle Path and Baltic Sea Coast Cycle Path are the most popular. Despite too few bicycle parking spaces, most cyclists use the train to get to and from their destination. The fact that people often leave their cars behind is a welcome development for our environment. However, there is a need to catch up in terms of infrastructure at train stations and on trains. Stations are often not bicycle-friendly, but another result of the analysis shows that the better the infrastructure, the more people cycle. Unfortunately, Deutsche Bahn explicitly excludes the carriage of cargo bikes over 2 meters in length with superstructures on long-distance trains. Depending on the transport association, cargo bikes can be taken on local trains. Alternatively, minibuses can be used for transportation via Car-Sharing or trailers. Or you can start right outside your front door.

Would you like to test FINN for yourself? The model will be available from ten different dealers or directly from VSC.BIKE from June 2023. Our experts will be happy to answer any questions you may have.