Biking with kids is all the rage in Portland these days, but biking with six kids between the ages of 2 and 11? That's something I never would have thought possible before I met southeast Portland resident Emily Finch. Finch, 34, is a powerhouse. Watching her pedal her bakfiets cargo bike with four kids in the front, another one in a child seat behind her, and another one on a bike attached to hers via the rear rack, is a sight that not only inspires — it forces you to re-think what's possible.
From a financial perspective, the bakfiets as family vehicle is an astounding bargain. In three years, Emily estimates she's spent about $135 dollars maintaining her bike. For some reason, people are always curious about how much her bakfiets costs. "It's funny how many people ask me how much it costs," Emily says, "If someone's driving around with a $4,000 car, no one asks, 'Oh, how much does that cost?'. Really, it's such a bargain in the long run. It's amazing."
