The cargo bike is a convenient way to ferry around your kids or your cello – shared use trial begins in Western Tampere
There are three different types of cargo bikes for rent, which are suited to different needs from ferrying around children to transporting goods.
– The goal of the cargo bike rental trial is to allow people try out different options that reduce the need to own a car. Increasing the use of bicycles for everyday journeys supports the city’s climate neutrality goal as well as the cyclist’s own health and well-being, says Mimmi Virtanen from the Carbon Neutral Actions development programme.
HPA Mobility Oy, also known as Lootabikes, provides the service in cooperation with the city. The company was established in 2023.
– Cargo bikes are used to transport dogs or to carry bags of soil to an allotment – they’re more than vehicles for families. One customer wanted to rent a bike to go to cello practice, says Henri Laine from Lootabikes.
Try out a cargo bike for a day or up to two weeks
The possible rental periods of the cargo bikes range from one day to two weeks. Rental prices are EUR 15 for one day, EUR 40 for the weekend and EUR 60 for the whole week. Rental prices have been kept affordable to encourage as many people as possible to try out the cargo bikes during the trial. The rental trial will last until 31 October.
The cargo bikes can be rented at Lootabikes’ premises in Epilä. The address is Pispalan valtatie 120, and the place is easily reachable by bus. During the summer, bus lines 4, 7, 8, 28 and 29 stop in Epilä.
– When the rental service operates in the company’s own premises, providing on-site guidance is easier. At the same time, you can also ask about any concerns you may have about using the bike. We hope that personal guidance and advice will further lower the threshold for testing the bikes, Virtanen says.
The Families’ Day event organised by youth services in Tesoma on Sunday 30 June between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Tesoma welfare centre is also a good opportunity to learn more about the cargo bike rental and to book them for use.
Tesoma and its surrounding areas make up one of the Carbon Neutral Actions development programme's target areas. The programme aims to support Tampere’s residents in making sustainable choices by, for example, creating new opportunities to make those choices.
Three different cargo bikes that can be rented will be on display.
How to rent a cargo bike
- Learn more about the types of bikes, their equipment and the rental terms by visiting the trial’s website (link below).
- Book by phone or email. You can also visit the shop during opening hours. In case you need it, help in selecting a shared use bike is available.
- You’ll be able to pick up the bike after 09:30 a.m. On the day that you’ve booked. Please bring an ID with you. During the handover, you will receive comprehensive guidance on the safe use of the bike.
- Enjoy the pleasure of cycling! Please remember to use a bike helmet.
- Please return the bike on the return date by 3 p.m.
