MN Cargo Bike Library

@mcbl.bike

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The MN Cargo Bike Library is a community-run program made possible through partnerships with @bikemn.bsky.social, @cyclehoop.bsky.social, the Lyndale Neighborhood Association and a grant from the Minneapolis Foundation.

MCBL Bunch cargo trike hauling a folding bike, folding trailer and saxophone case on a group ride
two kids sit in the MCBL Bunch cargo trike on a separated bike path (Cedar? Kenilworth?) on a sunny day
MCBL Bunch cargo trike parked at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
MCBL Bunch cargo trike is parked at a Minneapolis beach with folks enjoying the water and beautiful summer day
MCBL Bunch cargo trike parked in front of a lake (Bde Maka Ska?) at sunset.
An adult rides a black Xtracycle Swoop with a smile on their face while a MCBL librarian stands next to them, smiling.
Connor plays saxophone in a Bunch bike being ridden in a protected bikeway in downtown Mpls
2 Bunch cargo trikes are parked next to each other. One has a folding bike in it, and the other has a saxophonist holding his saxophone and smiling. They are at a park.
MCBL Bunch cargo trike with a new front panel showing the updated MCBL logo (Minnesota Cargo Bike Library in white with a teal blue background). The bike is parked next to the curb on a street.
Yellow electric cargo bike is parked in front of a very coordinated mural of a hand holding some music notes
Screenshot from Instagram showing a black chihuahua in a basket with a purple Towel draped over the basket. The dog is looking up at the camera and has a sweet greying face
Blue Xtracycle Swoop ASM is parked outside the BikeMN office
Adorable older golden retriever sits in an Urban Arrow
Flyer for June MCBL orientation June 7th, 11am 3537 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis
An MCBL borrower rides the Bunch bike with a regular bike in the front cargo box
MCBL Aventon Abound LR has 4 canisters of formula on the front basket
Several people stand around front loader cargo bikes with a sign that says “test a cargo bike today!”
Several people pose around a Bunch cargo bike outdoors on a sunny day. An adult is in the bike cargo area.
Flyer for an event: Lyndale WHEELS & BIKE RODEO SATURDAY, MAY 16, 11AM-2PM Painter Park (620 W 34th St) Image shows feet of people on skateboards
Laura stands next to a cargo bike with a room of 15+ new members going through MCBL orientation
Pie chart showing men made up 42.1% of borrowers. Women were 44.9% and trans/genderqueer/gender nonconforming folks made up 13.1%.
Laura holds a pile of keys and gps trackers with bikes in the background
Laura sits on a black urban arrow outside Perennial bike shop (which has a big “Abolish ICE” banner over the shop sign.
Bunch bike parked next to the Bryant Ave bikelane. Snow is on the ground and it’s very cold.
3 laptops and misc office supplies are on a table in a meeting space
Cyclehoop secure bike hangar covered in snow
Flyer Via Pro cargo bike parked on the Midtown Greenway. It is foggy as a storm approaches
Several cargo bikes are parked outside of the cargo bike shop
Xtracycle Hopper with rain jackets poking out of a front rack bag
Xtracycle Hopper is parked next to Lake Harriet at sunset
Lisa sits in the front of the MCBL Bunch bike parked in a driveway. Lisa is bundled up because it's cold outside.
Xtracycle cargo bike (longtail) with kids’ seat parked on the Sabo Bridge in Mpls
Side view of flyer via pro filled with groceries
Radio flyer Via Pro cargo bike is parked next to a Cyclehoop bike hangar
Laura and Angela pose for a photo near the back of the BikeMN van with 4 bikes in it
Two very upright adaptive trikes with small wheels are parked side by side
MCBL Bunch is parked in front of a mural Of someone riding a bike on the Midtown Greenway near Venture Bikes
MCBL Aventon Abound loaded up with many boxes at the post office
A Bunch bike is in the foreground and several people stand around someone in a recumbent trike in the background
MCBL Tern HSD parked outside a grocery store loaded with groceries & flowers in the back cargo area
3 long tail cargo bikes are in/near a Cyclehoop hangar. The closest bike has supplies (bike pump, lock, battery) on the rear cargo rack.
MCBL Bunch bike parked in a sea of bikes at one of the state fair bike lots
Regina’s MIL sits in the MCBL Bunch bike on Nicollet Mall.
Photo of Bryant Ave S w/ sidewalk and 2 way elevated bikeway with two young kids riding bikes
MCBL Lectric Trike is parked in front of the Cyclehoop hangar
UPDATE: We have brought about 70 people into the program already this year! About half of our members have rented a bike so far. To ensure the rest have a chance to borrow a bike before we close up for the winter, we are pausing orientations for now. The exception to this is if you’re a Minneapolis resident interested in borrowing our Lectric Trike. We can offer 1:1 orientations for folks who want to borrow this bike, just contact us! We are actively seeking grant funding to continue and hopefully expand our program in 2026. If you want to stay up to date on our progress, please subscribe to our newsletter (bottom of this website) and/or follow us on social media (Bluesky or Instagram). If you’d like to support our efforts, consider making a one-time or sustaining donation (tax deductible!).
Screenshot w/ text: 1. MCBL in Numbers We’ve been collecting data around the impact of our program, including metrics like the number of folks served, miles traveled, and trips completed. Here’s a status update as of July 12, 2025: Totals Members who’ve completed orientation: 66 people Number of rentals so far: 33 rentals Bikes in our fleet: started with 3, now up to 6! Collective miles traveled: 1,790 miles Collective trips completed: 336 trips Averages Average miles ridden per rental: 59 miles (that’s 11.8 miles/day on average!) Average # of trips completed (in a 5 day rental): 11.2 trips
Screenshot showing lots of bookings for various bikes in the MCBL
Photo of MCBL Bunch parked outside Costco
MCBL Bunch and Tern HSD are parked next to each other at Perennial Cycles
For those curious about cargo bikes, the # of options can feel overwhelming & hard to sort through from online research. Our cargo bike library offers FREE one week rentals of a variety of bike styles & price points so you can see what best fits your needs! mplscargobikelibrary.com 1/3
Screenshot of Eventbrite page with text MINNEAPOLIS CARGO BIKE LIBRARY Sold Out Saturday, July 12 July Orientation (Mpls Cargo Bike Library)
Tern HSD s8i is parked in front of Perennial bike shop
MCBL Abound is parked in front of the Eden Prairie City Center building. The building is brick and it’s sunny outside.
MCBL Bunch bike is parked near a car pick up line at a school.
MCBL Aventon Abound SR is parked in front of Gai Noi, which is decked out with lots of Pride decorations & features two progress Pride flag painted benches out front