Sustainable beekeeping on two wheels – An interview with Ludwig the beekeeper
Beekeeping and sustainability go hand in hand. But how can this environmentally friendly practice be further optimized? Ludwig, a passionate beekeeper from the rural Upper Palatinate region, has found an innovative answer: the cargo bike. In conversation with Johannes from MORE Cargobike, Ludwig explains how he came up with this idea and what advantages the Riese & Müller Load4 75 with MORE CARGOBOX offers for his beekeeping operation.
Beekeeping and cargo bikes – an environmentally friendly combination
Johannes: Hello Ludwig, beekeeping and cargo bikes – how did you come up with that?
Ludwig: If a single bee had to fill a 500g jar of honey, it would have to travel 75,000 km – that's about twice around the Earth. Luckily, in a large colony, 50,000 bees share the work. They don't need any fossil fuels, and their CO2 footprint is excellent. That motivated me to focus on sustainability in my beekeeping as well. Plus, riding a cargo bike is simply fun, and here in the rural Upper Palatinate, you definitely stand out.
Everyday life with a cargo bike
Johannes: Do you do everything by bike?
Ludwig: You can actually do almost anything with it. The full suspension on the Load4 is particularly useful, especially during swarming season in May and June, when I have to make my daily rounds to the beehives. It's much more fun with the cargo bike than in the car. Initially, I was worried that the bees might get agitated during transport, but the opposite is true: the breeze through the swarm box actually calms them.
The perfect equipment for the beekeeper
Johannes: How satisfied are you with the box?
Ludwig: The box is perfect. My Systainer toolboxes fit precisely into the custom-fitted compartments; nothing slips. There's room on the sides for my beekeeping veil and other accessories. I can transport beehives on the lid, and the insulation keeps the honey cool. The box is surprisingly lightweight, which is a definite advantage in the hilly Upper Palatinate Forest.
I also removed the floor panels from the cargo bike, as I only use the box on the bike.
Bee-friendly transport
Johannes: Do you transport bees by bicycle?
Ludwig: Yes, especially swarms. I mainly propagate through natural and artificial swarming, which is very labor-intensive, but mandatory in natural beekeeping. My migratory beekeeping is limited to what I can reach with my cargo bike.
Challenges and benefits
Johannes: Do you get stung often?
Ludwig: Yes, that does happen. Initially, I was worried that the cargo bike might have a negative impact because bees have an extremely good sense of smell and could be disturbed by sweat or perfume. Therefore, I tend to ride at a leisurely pace. Ultimately, my fears were unfounded.
Ludwig, the bee expert
Johannes: You're also a bee expert. Is that something like being a bee whisperer?
Ludwig: Haha, that would be nice! No, we bee experts are a link between the veterinary office and the beekeepers. We help with bee diseases and take samples. The cargo bike makes this work easier for me, as I can park right next to the hives and always have everything I need. Besides, the box is bee-proof, which is very important.
Conclusion: Sustainability on two wheels
John: How many nations do you have?
Ludwig: I keep bees as a way to unwind from my job. The average German beekeeper has between 11 and 20 colonies, and that's about the same number as me. I have four separate apiaries, and my daily rounds are about 15 km, which is quite manageable despite the hilly terrain of the Upper Palatinate. Including the teaching apiary, it's even around 37 km.
Johannes: Is there anything about the bike and the box that you don't like?
Ludwig: Actually, I'm very satisfied. The spring on the stand could perhaps be a bit stronger. The box is perfect; it's a shame Berlin is so far away – otherwise, I'd just cycle over. But who knows, maybe the Load and I will go on a longer tour sometime.
Closing remarks
Ludwig's approach demonstrates that sustainability and beekeeping go wonderfully together. With his cargo bike, he has not only found an environmentally friendly solution, but also one that makes everyday life easier for beekeepers. It's an inspiring example of how innovative ideas can be implemented in harmony with nature.
We, as a team of beekeeping enthusiasts, are very happy and proud to have implemented this great project with Ludwig – and we also had the opportunity to taste Ludwig's honey. Highly recommended!
