Matteo is dynamic, with contagious energy, and multifaceted. He has a multitude of passions, and one of them is biking.
Whether it’s a road bike, gravel, vintage, or electric, he’s always seen on two wheels. The commute to work, drinks with friends, Saturday mornings in Piazza Pontida meeting fellow bikers ready for rides in the beautiful Bergamo valleys.
At one point in his life, he got a LongJohn-type cargo eBike, the kind with a front box. To stand out, of course, but also for practicality. On that spacious cargo area between the handlebars and the front wheel, he puts groceries or his bulky gym bag. We’ve even seen him give his girlfriend a ride, comfortably seated in the box.
Sparking Change
But what made him get a cargo bike?
“I liked it and immediately saw its potential,” Matteo admits. “And indeed, it has changed my life a lot because it makes you want to use the car less and less. Compared to a regular bike, you can load whatever you want, and with its generous size, I also feel more protected in traffic.”
The cargo bike sparked a change: “In Bergamo and beyond, people’s mindset is shifting towards a more intelligent and sustainable way of living. That extra step is still missing: for me, it was trying the cargo eBike. I discovered I don’t need a car for short trips. Once you understand this, your view of the city changes. With any bike, not just an eBike: you get to work faster and with less stress, you can go up to Città Alta and maybe – now that it’s summer – organize a picnic on the walls; with the cargo bike, I can bring everything we need, blanket, basket, food, drinks…”
Not Just for the Family
Matteo recently became a father, but this hasn’t changed his way of thinking one bit: he placed a baby seat in the cargo box and takes his baby girl around.
“For me, the cargo bike represents a fuller way of living because there are no limits. The real revolution is understanding that the car is not the most convenient means of getting around the city. By bike, I can have lunch in Città Alta, cross the restricted traffic zone, go to the park with my baby girl; then have an aperitif and dinner, without traffic or parking problems.”
Biking is Good Mood
And when it rains? “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear: if you dress appropriately and use the right materials, you can bike even in the rain. And there are tons of accessories for the cargo bike to handle all weather conditions. For example, I’ve ordered seats and covers: my baby will travel in comfort even in winter. Sometimes I have to use the car for work, but short trips are exhausting; it’s sad not to bike every day. Biking changes your life, changes your mood.”
Pedal-Powered Station Wagon
Matteo’s cargo bike is a Riese & Müller Load 60. The number indicates the length of the cargo area and distinguishes it from the even longer Load 75.
But even as is, the transport capacity is huge. Since becoming a dad, Matteo’s baby girl is his main focus, and he takes her around the city.
Up and down Città Alta, back and forth from daycare, weekend trips: with the powerful Bosch Performance Line CX motor and Control Technology (front and rear suspension), no destination is unreachable! The Load is truly the ultimate cargo bike.