As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science at the University of Salford we provided an online screening of the award-winning film Motherload.
‘Motherload’ is a film about the cargo bike revolution building around the world. The film follows Liz Canning’s (the filmmaker) own story, going from regularly cycling to having young twins, then feeling the need to have a car and reaching a point where her cycling life felt like it was most likely over. Her life was transformed by the discovery of cargo bikes as a different way to get herself, her children, her shopping and everything else, around her city. In her enthusiasm she starts to connect to online cargo bike communities, and decides to make a film about it. She meets amazing passionate advocates along the way from across the US, and the world. Her cargo bike becomes part of her own response to the climate crisis. You can find out more about the film by visiting the Motherload website.
Online screenings were followed by a live discussion with three panelists who all have a wealth of experience using e-cargo bikes for both cycle logistics and domestic life.
- Chris Leaky – Manchester Bike Hire
- Beate Kubitz – Cargodale
- Glynis Francis – Chorlton Bike Deliveries
The panel discussion was very lively with participants sharing their experiences of cargo cycling, reflections on infrastructure, campaigning, and the weirdest things they’ve carried on their bike.
You can watch the whole panel discussion below: