Backin' the saddle again

British supermarket expands bike-trailer program

Posted by Katharine Wroth at 12:11 PM on 09 Jan 2008

Bike to store. Pick up free bike trailer. Fill trailer with groceries. Hitch it up and ride home. Return trailer within three days.

That's the dreamy concept at the Waitrose supermarket chain in Jolly Olde Englande, where the free-trailer scheme is being tried out at a handful of stores. Says a department manager, "There are 60 to 70 bikes outside the shop every lunchtime, so there's a definite market for it. If we can encourage just a few people to cycle rather than using their car, then we'll be making a difference."

Let's hear it for innovation!

For story: Backin' the saddle again
4 Comments | Post a Comment

A safer, more civilized option

This sounds a lot better than cycling around with a bulging backpack and plastic bags swinging precariously from your handlebars.

a sibilant intake of breath

by sindark at 1:30 PM on 09 Jan 2008

Hey, nothing wrong with bulging backpacks...

A backpack easily trumps a trailer in an icy winter, I still enjoy bragging about carrying my tuxedo to Orchestra Hall to sing in the Chorale. Not to say that this isn't a good idea during the non-frozen portion of the year and in warmer climes.

by Grevangelical at 2:51 PM on 09 Jan 2008

In defense of bulges

Yeah, sindark, you're no fun.

The backpack is also important for transporting delicate items, my ass being a very good shock absorber.

by mihan at 3:13 PM on 09 Jan 2008

What a great idea

Has anyone priced the latest trailers at REI with their latte holders?

Yours for only $700.

In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world

by biodiversivist at 3:26 PM on 10 Jan 2008

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