Pedal Powered Produce - Marketcargo Helps Urban Farmers Switch Gears

VANCOUVER, BC

The bright red canopy of Marketcargo; a free bicycle home delivery and bike tune-up service, can be seen among the hustle on Main Street and Terminal Avenue, where a weekly Wednesday farmer’s market transforms the area into a vibrant hub of agricultural produce. To the shopper’s delight, they can take their groceries to the Marketcargo stall at the other side of the market, and put them in a cooler, write their name, address, and a brief description of their food, and have it delivered to their door a short while later. The project’s aim is to support farmers, local markets, and market patrons by using and promoting bicycle use.

Marketcargo supports farmers by transporting their produce and market gear by bicycle, from the farm at 57th Avenue and Cambie Street to the markets. They also do home deliveries to the UBC farm's Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shareholders on Saturdays. Before the markets start, three adept cyclists: Kevin Cooper, Martin Gunst, and U.B.C. Bike Kitchen volunteer mechanic Evan French load up the trailers with all of the farmer’s produce and market gear and ride out, rain or shine. Each week they balance all the pieces of the 200 pound load like Lego blocks on each workhorse trailer. “Once the momentum gets going, it is smooth and you feel like you are riding a moving sidewalk. If the weather’s bad, it’s either a combination of facing the wind when everything’s against you, or you feel like your flying when the wind is at your back,” said Cooper.

Cooper, who studies Global Resource

Systems, initiated Marketcargo in May through the UBC AMS Bike Co-op, as a demonstration project. With funds from an HRDC Canada Summer Jobs grant, Cooper hired Martin Gunst, a Philosophy and Economics major, to help manage the program’s 12 volunteers, and general operations. “Everything that we do with Marketcargo is aimed at decreasing the environmental impact of the food we eat by supporting local producers, and inspiring others to do the same,” said Gunst.

In addition to Marketcargo’s effective grocery delivery service, the skilled bike mechanics perform tune ups for cyclists at the market; not major overhauls, but simple barrel adjustments, and chain re-alignments.

Eleanor Hannon, a Capilano University art textiles instructor was having trouble shifting gears, and brought her bike over for a tune up. “These guys are kind, and thoughtful, and I appreciate this service,” she said.

On Sundays, Marketcargo sets up at the Kitsilano community Center farmer’s market on 10th Avenue and Larch Street, where the job has its perks. “People are inviting us in for lunch when we arrive to deliver their groceries. One woman from the Kitsilano Market, used to take the bus when she carried a large load, and now she can make the trip on foot.” said Cooper.
 

Though the project is off to a great start, funding expires in August, and it is uncertain what will happen next. “Given all that is being accomplished, I am optimistic. We have had many donations, and volunteer support. I am inspired to show people what can be done, and how easy it can be for them to ride their bikes,” said Cooper.

As I leave the market, Eleanor Hannon beams a smile at the guys and says, “Thanks for fixing my bike!”

Contact Market Cargo: marketcargo@gmail.com
The AMS Bike Coop website: http://www.ams.ubc.ca/clubs/bikecoop