The Loneliness Epidemic
In recent years, Australians have faced more than just a health crisis — we’ve faced a connection crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic broke apart daily routines, isolated families, and left many people feeling cut off from their communities. Even now, loneliness is on the rise. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, one in three Australians report feeling lonely regularly.
At the same time, people are craving belonging and shared experiences more than ever. Research shows that strong social ties are as important for health as exercise and diet. The good news? eBikes can help bring us back together.
At Dutch Cargo, we call this GO Together — the joy of rediscovering community and connection, one ride at a time.
Why Social Health Matters as Much as Physical Health
When people talk about health, they often focus on exercise or diet. But social health — our sense of belonging, connection, and shared purpose — is just as important. In fact, loneliness has been linked to higher risks of heart disease, depression, and early mortality.
Cycling, and especially cargo and electric bikes, creates opportunities for social health in a way that cars simply can’t:
Face-to-face time: Riding side-by-side or with kids up front sparks real conversation.
Shared adventures: From school runs to Sunday markets, every ride becomes a memory.
Community events: Group rides and cycling clubs offer belonging and support.
Neighbourhood connection: You notice your surroundings more, and you meet people.
Put simply: when we ride, we reconnect — with ourselves, our families, and our communities.
eBikes as Social Connectors
Traditional bikes are wonderful, but let’s be honest: they can sometimes exclude people. Not everyone is fit enough for long rides or steep hills. That’s why eBikes are powerful social levellers.
Families ride together: Parents can carry kids, pets, and gear — everyone’s included.
Friends keep pace: One rider’s fitness doesn’t matter when pedal assist evens the playing field.
Multi-generational bonding: Grandparents can join family rides again with confidence.
Inclusive for all abilities: Adaptive eBikes open doors for people with disabilities.
Instead of cycling being a niche activity, eBikes make it possible for everyone to take part.
GO Together Through Inclusion: NDIS & Adaptive Bikes
Connection should be for everyone — and that’s why Dutch Cargo works closely with the NDIS to make eBikes accessible for people living with disability. For many riders, an eBike isn’t just transport, it’s freedom: the freedom to be part of their community, to travel independently, and to share experiences with family and friends.
Adaptive and cargo eBikes open doors that would otherwise stay closed:
Inclusion in family outings: Riders can travel alongside loved ones rather than being left behind.
Confidence and independence: Pedal assist makes longer trips and hills achievable.
Accessible design: Options like step-through frames, stable cargo setups, and adaptive accessories make cycling practical for a wider range of abilities.
Support through NDIS funding: Many customers access bikes with plan support, making it financially possible.
We’ve seen firsthand how life-changing this can be. From riders gaining the confidence to commute to work, to families discovering new ways to share time together, NDIS bikes embody the GO Together spirit.
Stories of Going Together
We’ve seen countless Dutch Cargo customers turn solitary routines into social ones:
Mums’ groups using cargo bikes for school runs together, turning drop-off into a rolling social club.
Grandparents riding with grandchildren in the cargo box, creating cherished memories.
Friends choosing a weekend ride to the café instead of a drive, chatting the whole way.
Community groups organising “bike buses” — safe convoys of kids and parents cycling to school.
Each story proves the same point: eBikes don’t just move people — they bring people together.
Partners in Connection: Bicycle Network & Councils
We know community doesn’t happen in isolation. That’s why Dutch Cargo is looking to collaborate with partners like Bicycle Network and local councils to amplify the GO Together message.
Bicycle Network has the reach, advocacy, and infrastructure expertise to support community rides and safe routes.
Councils are increasingly funding active transport initiatives to boost local wellbeing.
Together, we can host GO Together Rides — fun, family-friendly events that connect riders of all ages.
It’s more than marketing — it’s building the kind of neighbourhoods Australians want to live in.
Social Connection by the Numbers
Research shows that people with strong social ties live up to 7 years longer than those without.
Lonely Australians are 15% more likely to use GP services — a huge burden on the health system.
Cycling participation in Australia is growing: more than 3.43 million Australians ride weekly, but only a fraction use bikes socially. eBikes can change that.
By making cycling accessible and fun, we create a direct pathway to better social health.
GO Together for Families
Families are the heart of Dutch Cargo, and nowhere is GO Together more visible than on a family ride. Parents tell us that kids open up and chat more when they’re on a cargo bike than when they’re strapped into a car seat.
Instead of back-seat bickering, families share laughter, stories, and the joy of moving through the world together. And when kids see their parents riding as normal, they’re more likely to grow into confident, community-minded riders themselves.
Why Dutch Cargo Cares
For us, GO Together is personal. Dutch Cargo was born out of family life — Emmy and Jurgen started the business 15 years ago when their own kids were small, looking for ways to balance family, freedom, and connection.
As parents, they know how important it is to create memories and routines that bring families closer.
As business owners, they’ve seen how customers form friendships and networks through riding.
As humans, they believe that every ride is an opportunity to connect with the people and places around us.
Every Dutch Cargo bike sold is one more chance for an Australian family, student, or retiree to feel less alone and more connected.
