Wheels of
Resilience:
CargoCult’s
Unexpected
Journey
WORDS: YULIYA BELINSKAYA, CO-FOUNDER OF CARGOCULT
PHOTOS: ANASTASIA ROZHYNSKA, MISHAEL OSIPOV, MYKOLA KOVTUN AND CARGOCULT
CREATIVE FOR CARRIER MAGAZINE: CYRIL CHERMIN AND AARON GRIFFITHS
Yuliya Belinskaya is one of the three founders of CargoCult in Kyiv, Ukraine. Back in 2021, amid the pandemic, she started the cargo bike delivery company alongside co-founders Karina Agakhanova and Oleksii Khvorostenko. But as Yuliya explains, although CargoCult have designed, built and used their own cargo bikes a lot since then, things didn’t quite work out exactly how they had expected.
What started during the pandemic as a commercial endeavour has transformed into a powerful problem solver. CargoCult found its calling: performing a multitude of tasks, many of which extend far beyond our initial intentions. From the essential task of delivering food to those in need, to facilitating the transfer of donated bikes from a warehouse to a workshop, right up to literally saving lives, the organisation and its cargo bikes have proven themselves beyond any doubt.
We are still uncovering the myriad opportunities that cargo bikes bring with them. Since we began, our three cargo bikes have travelled 14,200 kilometres in total; seven times the distance between Amsterdam and Kyiv. Here, I’m going to delve into some of the extraordinary stories of our cargo bikes, their riders and the impact both have had.
Yolk, a reliable companion
We have built three cargo bikes at CargoCult and the second – nicknamed Zhovtok, or Yolk for its yellow colour – emerged as a valuable teacher for cycling volunteers. At least 27 people have made their debut cargo bike ride on Zhovtok. From the very onset of the war, CargoCult embarked on delivering crucial humanitarian aid, enlisting the help of volunteer riders eager to make a difference however they could. Nearly all of these volunteers could ride our cargo bikes with ease from the first attempt; proof that this mode of transport is reliable and accessible to a wide range of people. Zhovtok has proven itself to be a dependable companion, weathering the harshest conditions of two brutal winters.
But the story doesn’t end there. Amid the autumn- winter 2023 blackouts, Zhovtok’s role evolved. The e-battery from Zhovtok became a beacon of light, illuminating homes during power blackouts. Additionally, when our Carla Cargo trailer arrived, Zhovtok took on a new role as the towing vehicle for this three-wheeled partner. Together, they became an essential component of the Brave Bikes initiative.
The heartwarming Beetroot
We were able to build our third cargo bike, affectionately named Buriachok, or Beetroot – again due to the colour – thanks to the generous backing of the International Cargo Bike Festival. This invaluable addition to our fleet has proven its worth by serving as a reliable backup for our trusty Zhovtok, especially when the demand for simultaneous deliveries surges. Unfortunately, both Buriachok and Zhovtok have had their share of mishaps throughout the year, reflecting the challenges posed by keeping a cargo bike fleet operational despite inadequate infrastructure.
However, Buriachok’s significance goes beyond its utilitarian role. In these tumultuous times, it serves a more profound purpose: maintaining the psychological well-being of our community. Even amidst the backdrop of war, children continue to grow, people still celebrate marriages, and life perseveres. Oleksii’s children have developed a deep affection for this cargo bike, finding joy in their daily journeys to kindergarten or the park. In doing so, Buriachok underscores the multifaceted role of cargo bikes, proving that they are not just practical tools for transportation, but also powerful instruments for recreation and psychological resilience.
Our veteran Chestnut
Now back to our very first cargo bike – Kashtanchyk, or Chestnut, which was named by Misha, the son of my co-founders Oleksii and Karina who was four years old at the time. When he saw the green cargo bike for the very first time he said, “It’s Kashtanchyk!”.
In the midst of the global pandemic in 2020, we introduced Kashtanchyk, which was designed to serve our commercial aims. Little did its creators know, but this innovative vehicle would soon prove its benefit during turbulent times of the war in Kyiv amid Russia’s aggression.
Kashtanchyk emerged as a lifeline, helping transport fruit, vegetables, essential food items and medicine to where they were needed most. It became an irreplaceable asset when bridges were closed and a fuel shortage gripped the region.
Fast forward to June 2023 and the story of Kashtanchyk takes an even more remarkable turn. This humble cargo bike found a new purpose in the hands of Mishael Osipov, a dedicated cycling volunteer based in the city of Kherson in southern Ukraine. His story is one that demands special attention.
Between March and November 2022, Kherson was occupied by the Russians. Mishael stayed, enduring the harsh realities of this nine-month occupation; his small furniture workshop was looted and pillaged by Russian soldiers. But the real challenge came after Kherson’s liberation, as the city faced the daily threat of heavy shelling, a danger that persists to this day (November 2023 – ed). Despite the adversities they faced, a resilient community – including elderly and disabled people – stayed in the city, and Mishael took it upon himself to assist the most vulnerable among them.
Kastanchyk and Mishael
It was during this time that we came across Mishael and his extraordinary self-made bicycle trailer, which he used to carry heavy goods to those in need. Witnessing his efforts, we decided to dispatch Kashtanchyk to support him. Shortly after the Russians blew up the Kakhovska dam in June 2023, killing at least 58 people and flooding around 600 km2, Kashtanchyk made its way to Kherson.
Kashtanchyk’s primary mission was clear: deliver humanitarian aid to those unable to take care of themselves. Alongside that mission, the cargo bike also helps to provide essential materials for repairing windows and doors in homes that have borne the brunt of shelling.
As Mishael pedals through the streets of Kherson, he does so wearing body armour and a ballistic helmet, with a tourniquet tucked away in his pocket. One day, during a Russian air attack, he happened to be in the right place at the right time. Spotting a man with a severed leg, Mishael’s swift response, and the tourniquet he had on hand, saved a life.
Carla Cargo & CargoCult: a perfect partnership
In November 2022, a significant donation arrived in the form of a Carla Cargo bike trailer, generously given by the people of Kiel, Germany. Since its arrival, the trailer has played an indispensable role in CargoCult’s charitable initiatives, ushering in a new era of possibilities.
Foremost among the trailer’s contributions is its capacity to deliver substantial volumes of humanitarian aid to hospitals and those in need. But the trailer’s impact extends further. It has played a pivotal role in Brave Bikes, a humanitarian project whose mission is to transfer around 1000 bicycles donated by the people of Amsterdam to the people of Ukraine. However, before these bicycles could reach their recipients in the newly liberated territories, they required thorough repairs. In response, the Social Workshop, led by my co-founder Oleksii, sprang into action, with volunteers gathering weekly to repair and restore these bicycles.
One challenge remained: moving these bicycles between the warehouse and the workshop. The Carla Cargo trailer emerged as the ideal solution; able to transport up to four bicycles at a time, it streamlined the logistical aspect of the initiative. In the nine months since the initiation of this project, a remarkable 150 bicycles have been repaired and transported to various regions across Ukraine; a noble demonstration of the power of collective goodwill.
Hope
The journey of our fleet is a testament to the remarkable versatility of cargo bikes in times of war. When we started CargoCult, we could scarcely fathom the range of scenarios they would come to be used for. Our experience stands as a shining example of how – even here in the midst of a war – cargo bikes can turn the unimaginable into reality, bridging gaps and offering hope when it is needed most.
This article was originally published in Carrier Issue 01. Read it here.
Yuliya’s fellow co-founder Karina Agakhanova spoke about CargoCult’s activites at ICBF 2023. Watch her presentation below – and subscribe to the @cargobikefest YouTube channel for more fascinating presentations from ICBF 2023 and beyond.
Want to contribute to CargoCult’s activities? It’s possible to donate directly to them via PayPal using their email address: cargocult.ua@gmail.com. Your donation will help them to:
– Support Mishhael in Kherson – CargoCult sends him batteries and other equipment to carry out his humanitarian work.
– Provide logistical support to the #BikesForUkraine project, now with U-cycle.
– Provide logistical support for the TourDeDrone initiative, in which Ukrainian cyclists collectively support the Armed Forces of Ukraine and cyclists who serve.
– Provide logistical support to various local initiatives in Kyiv.
