Donny’s Story — How a Cargo Bike Changed the Way He Travels

For many people, cycling isn’t just a hobby, it’s a lifeline. It’s freedom, independence, connection, and confidence.

That’s exactly what Donny, one of our Shifting Gears participants, discovered after borrowing one of our cargo bikes through the Wee Bike Library.

A long commute — and a big hill in the way

Donny lives in a small Perthshire village around nine miles outside Perth. Before hiring one of our cargo bikes, he relied on the bus to get into the city centre and back. But the journey wasn’t simple.

Although Perth is only nine miles away, the bus route winds through several villages, meaning the trip can take almost an hour, each way.

There is a quicker route into Perth, but it involves tackling a very steep hill, and Donny wasn’t confident his fitness levels would allow him to cycle it on his hybrid bike.

Like many people, it wasn’t a lack of interest holding him back, it was a lack of confidence, and uncertainty about whether cycling was realistic for his day-to-day life.

Trying a cargo bike for the first time

When Donny heard about our cargo bikes, he was keen to give it a try. His main concern was the bike’s battery capacity, especially with the extra power needed to handle the hillier route.

After chatting things through and finding out more about the options available, Donny decided to hire a Tern electric cargo bike with rear storage capacity for a 30-day loan.

From unsure to unstoppable

Since borrowing the bike, Donny has used it for every trip into Perth, which is usually around four times a week.

He’s used the bike for:

• Regular journeys into Perth city centre

• Visiting his mum weekly

• Getting to the gym

• Attending clubs and groups he’s involved in

• Joining weekly autistic-friendly cycle rides

  
  

What started as a “could I manage this?” experiment quickly became his normal routine.

Donny has said that he loves cycling, and that it has had a hugely positive impact on his mental health. He would strongly recommend others give a cargo bike a try.

Why cargo bikes are a game-changer

Cargo bikes aren’t just for transporting shopping or kids — they can completely transform how people move around, especially for those who:

• don’t drive

• want to reduce reliance on public transport

• need extra support with fitness or confidence

• want a more accessible way to cycle longer distances

• need storage space for everyday errands

  
  

Electric cargo bikes, in particular, can remove some of the biggest barriers people face, steep hills, longer distances, and worries about stamina.

They help people replace car and bus journeys with something healthier, greener, and more empowering.

Donny’s journey is what our community programmes are all about

Donny’s story is a brilliant example of what happens when people are given the right tools, support, and opportunity to try something new.

A single bike loan has helped him travel more independently, build cycling into his weekly routine, and feel the benefits both physically and mentally.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a cargo bike could work for your lifestyle, Donny’s story proves it’s worth giving it a go.