They say necessity is the mother of invention, and time and time again it proves to be true. Such is the case with the Scandanavian Side Bike, which was created when Mom and Dad duo Eva Lindmark and Torben Skov Andersen decided they wanted a bicycle sidecar for their own child. It was later pushed into production after attracting plenty of attention from people on the street asking where they could buy one.
The Side Bike was developed and produced by this small family business in Denmark with high quality design and functionality in mind. It is intended for moving cargo or young kids on asphalt or gravel, and also quickly converts into a sleigh for winter travel. The Side Bike is available with either a lightweight carbon fiber shell or a more affordable fibreglass version.
Click past the break to see the Side Bike’s promo video and all the details…
The Scandanavian Side Bike allows you to haul goods while riding your already familiar bike, and the combination is much lighter than most purpose-built cargo bikes. A tilt joint between the bike and sidecar prevents the rear wheel from lifting around corners and the width between the sidecar and bike can be adjusted.
The Sidecar can be quickly removed from the pilot bike, and multiple brackets can be purchased and installed for easy attachment to several bicycles. The mount clamps to the bike’s seat and chain stays, and should fit most ‘standard’ mountain or city bikes. The manufacturer does not suggest using carbon bikes or road bikes with narrow wheels.
The carrier accomodates two small kids with seatbelts, and the seat folds down so infants can sleep in it while you’re stopped over somewhere. An insulated seat cushion provides comfort and keeps your tot’s tush warm during winter use.
When winter hits, the side bike converts to a ‘pulk’ (sleigh) so you can tow kids or cargo through the snow. The optional pulk kit contains a harness and hardware to convert the side bike for easy towing while XC skiing, walking or hiking. Removing the base frame, tension bars and adding the pulk kit should only take a few minutes, and the skis are moulded into the bottom of the sidecar’s body.
The Side Bike’s body comes in either carbon fiber or fibreglass with a steel frame, carbon mounting bracket, and polycarbonate windshield. The company website claims the carbon version is easily the lightest bike carrier on the market.
The Side Bike measures 47.2″ long, and sits approximately 29.5″ wide between its wheel and the pilot bike’s rear wheel (this width is adjustable). It rides on 20” wheels, and can carry up to 99lbs. With the frame attached, the carbon fiber Side Bike weighs 21.8lbs. In pulk mode the carbon model’s weight comes down to 13lbs. The fibreglass version is roughly 4.4lbs heavier.
The Scandanavian Side Bike’s shell comes in red, turquoise or light grey. The Fibreglass version costs approx. $1538.00 USD, and the carbon version sells for $2124.00. The seat pad comes in black, red or brown and retails for $242.00.
