What to buy for a cargo bike ride

A cargo bike ride needs more than bikes and helmets. Plan food and drinks for the full route, plus coolers, reusable tableware and a way to serve lunch at the rest stop. Pack repair supplies for punctures, first aid equipment and clear route signs before participants arrive. This shopping list also covers practical items for the start and finish, including tables, chairs, lighting and weather cover.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Transport

Cargo bikesqty 8
Bike pumpsqty 2
Spare inner tubesqty 8
Tire leversqty 4
Bike keysqty 4
Bike repair kitsqty 2

Safety

Bike helmetsqty 35
First aid kitsqty 2
Reflective vestsqty 8
Flashlightsqty 6

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 4
Folding chairsqty 35
Party tentqty 2
Tableclothsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable cutleryqty 40
Serving plattersqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knivesqty 3
Coolersqty 6
Ice packsqty 24
Picnic basketsqty 6

Equipment

Kettlesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 2

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 4

Decorations

Directional signsqty 12
Conesqty 12
Tapeqty 4
Ropeqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White rolls - 40 pieces
- Multigrain rolls - 40 pieces
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 2 kilogram
- Back ham - 1,5 kilogram
- Chicken breast topping - 1.5 kilograms
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 750 grams
- Butter - 500 grams
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Bell peppers - 10 pieces
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 35 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Oranges - 30 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Salted peanuts - 2 bags
- Muesli bars - 40 pieces
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Stirrers - 100 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Cleaning sponges - 6 pieces
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Litter pickersqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mop setsqty 2

Office

Participant listsqty 4
Route mapsqty 40
Pensqty 10
Clipboardsqty 4
Name stickersqty 40
Waterproof phone casesqty 4

Tips

Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each further hour. Bring extra water for warm weather and keep it cold in coolers with enough ice packs.
Prepare one lunch pack per participant, plus at least 10% extra portions for late registrations or damaged food. Check collected dietary requirements before buying ingredients and label special meals clearly.
Pack one spare inner tube for every five bikes, with at least two spare tubes for a small group. Add a pump, tyre levers and a bike repair kit, and check that every bike has its key before departure.
Provide one helmet and one reflective vest per rider, with at least two spare helmets or vests if equipment is shared. Keep a first aid kit at the start point and carry another one with the group on longer routes.
Put out route signs and cones before riders arrive, and bring battery lanterns or torches if the ride may finish after dark. Charge bike batteries fully the day before and keep extension cords available at the start location.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a cargo bike ride?: Plan one lunch pack and two snack portions per participant for a half-day ride. Buy at least 10% extra food, so a group of 20 needs 22 lunch packs and 44 snack portions.
How many drinks should I bring for a bike ride?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one additional drink per person for every following hour. For 20 riders on a three-hour ride, bring at least 80 drinks, with extra water in warm weather.
How many spare bike parts do I need?: Bring one spare inner tube for every five bikes, with a minimum of two tubes for the group. Pack at least one pump, one set of tyre levers and one repair kit, even on a short route.
What safety equipment is needed for a cargo bike ride?: Prepare one helmet and reflective vest for every rider, plus two spare sets when possible. Keep a first aid kit with the group, and add torches or battery lanterns if any part of the ride could take place after sunset.

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