up an old stove.]
Portland resident Patrick David Barber doesn’t own a car, but that doesn’t stop him from being self-sufficient and hauling all sorts of loads on his bike.
Here are just some of the things he’s carried:
- An industrial-strength dehumidifier
- A table saw
- A carpet-cleaning machine
- A vintage sewing machine (during a bike move, see photo)
- A 200-pound hog, for a friend’s pig roast
For Patrick, giving up his car was the culmination of much more than simply finding a good trailer. In an essay he wrote for Bicycle Fixation, he says:
“For me, the ability finally to give up the car involved a combination of changes and efforts over the past 20 years: the gradual development of our home business; a string of moves to cities that support small-radius urban lifestyles; a move away from some of the activities I practiced when younger (playing in rock bands, going on antique hunts); and, positioned near the end of this path, researching bike trailers and procuring this Bikes at Work trailer.”
Here’s another impressive shot of a Bikes at Work trailer:
For more on Patrick’s adventures and perspectives about living with his Bikes at Work trailer, read his very good essay/personal history, “Trailer Treasure” over on Bicycle Fixation.