No cargo bike? No problem
April 9, 2025
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We love cargo bikes. But let’s be honest; they’re not cheap. Nor are they easy to store in the kinds of homes and flats many of us live in.
So, inspired by the creations of Heath Robinson, we decided to build our own cargo trailer. Our aim? To create something big enough to carry serious stuff, easy to store when not in use – and ideally, something that doesn’t scream “steal me” to opportunistic thieves. Enter the wheelie bin trailer.
Yes, a real, 240-litre council-style wheelie bin. At £37 brand new, it forms the core of our surprisingly capable trailer. We added £11 of metal pipe and a handful of nuts and bolts, and got to work with just a hacksaw and a cordless drill. Eat your heart out, Scrapheap Challenge.
The bin’s original wheels make it surprisingly stable (if not entirely smooth-running on bumpy roads). A neatly cut hatch allows you to load it easily with bags of shopping. The best part? When you’re done, just wheel it in alongside your regular bins and it disappears into the urban scenery. A bike trailer, hiding in plain sight.
Now, obviously we’re having fun here – but behind our bin-based whimsy lies a Very Serious Point™. Utility cycling in the UK is often overlooked, overshadowed by sportier images of cycling or the motorised dominance of school runs and weekly supermarket hauls.
We think cycling is about more than personal best times, or even just getting from A to B. It’s about reimagining the way we move, live, and interact with our neighbourhoods. Whether you’re building a DIY wheelie bin trailer or swapping the car for the bike now and then, it all adds up to more liveable communities – one bin, basket or bungee cord at a time.
Got your own creative cycling hacks? Leave a comment – the best idea might just get its own Scrapheap Challenge moment.
The original. And still the best.
We’ve provided specialist cycle insurance for over 30 years – longer than anyone else in the UK. Over the decades, we have earned a reputation for our friendly customer service and environmental ethics.
Whatever your precious cargo, we're here to help.
Our cargo bike insurance includes everything you’d expect, like theft, accidental damage and vandalism cover – plus a few things you might not. For example, we have a no-quibble battery theft policy, zero devaluation for life, and if you break down on your cargo bike, we'll rescue you.
Cargo bikes offer a clean, quiet and cost-effective way to carry stuff, but their size and weight can make a breakdown troublesome. It's the reason we pioneered Cycle Rescue – a 24/7 nationwide breakdown recovery service.
If your cargo bike suffers a mechanical failure, puncture, or even a flat battery, we'll rescue you, your bike, and any cargo (or kids) you're carrying.
No shed? No problem.
We understand it can be a challenge to store a cargo bike so our insurance allows you to keep it in your front garden, or on the street outside your home. And if you're lucky enough to have a shed or garage, we don't specify any particular standard of lock for the door, or ask that your bike be locked to anything once inside.
Ethical cover
We believe in doing things right. For as long as we’ve offered cycle insurance, we’ve campaigned for safer road conditions. And year after year we are named the UK’s most ethical provider by The Good Shopping Guide.
We’re big on customer service too. We don’t like chatbots or endless phone menus, so we never use them. Call us old-fashioned, but we’re always happy to chat when people ring.
Information correct at time of publication.
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