The cycle rickshaw, which is a variant of a cargo bike is quite common in Asia. The price for a new one ranges from $100-500. Meanwhile, a bike with elongated rear rack, e.g., a longtail cargo bike (barely counts as cargo bike) can cost $1,000 in the West, and that is the entry level “cargo bike.” A front load cargo bike costs $2500 and upwards. An Urban Arrow ™ cargo bike can cost a whopping $6-7k.

  • copandballtorture [ey/em]@hexbear.net
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    24 days ago

    At least one small reason is that Americans like lots of features on their bikes. Cycling in Asia is a simple mass produced mode of transportation meant to mobilize a people vs in the west it’s a niche hobby funded by do gooders and urbanists who can afford good but expensive components

    • 7bicycles [he/him]@hexbear.net
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      24 days ago

      I don’t think this rings true in like central europe, the netherlands and such, where cargo bikes are still pretty expensive