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CARLA is unstoppable – carrying our mission and even heavy machines

The story

The Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail are a volunteer organization dedicated to preserving and improving one of the most popular bike and pedestrian routes in the Washington, D.C. area. The 18-mile (29 km) trail runs along the Potomac River from Theodore Roosevelt Island in the nation’s capital to Mount Vernon, the historic estate of George Washington. Every day, thousands of people use the trail for commuting, recreation, or simply to enjoy nature.

For transporting their tools, the Friends initially relied on a simple bike trailer. But when one of the volunteers came across a video of CARLA CARGO being used in New York City, it was immediately clear: this could take their work to a new level. The partnership between CARLA and Tern soon made access in the U.S. much easier – and in January 2023, their very first CARLA was waiting for them at The Daily Rider, a Washington, D.C. bike shop specializing in cargo bikes. Since then, the trailer has not only made their work more efficient, but also helped draw public attention to the Friends’ mission. Whether hauling tools, asphalt, or collected trash, people regularly stop, amazed at how much can be moved by bike – and in that moment, they also learn about the volunteer work happening behind the scenes. Today, the Friends already have two CARLAs in operation, and they have become indispensable to their efforts.

The Setup

For their operations, the Friends rely on the combination of a CARLA CARGO trailer and a Tern GSD as the towing bike. The hitch designed specifically for the GSD makes coupling and uncoupling quick and easy, while the three-wheel design provides both stability and maneuverability, even on narrow paths or in tight storage spaces. Thanks to its impressive load capacity, the CARLA can carry not only tools but also heavy materials like asphalt – and even large machinery such as an asphalt milling machine, which previously would have been nearly impossible to move without a car.

But for the Friends, the CARLA is much more than a cargo trailer: it’s a true eye-catcher. With its distinctive design and heavy loads, it constantly draws the attention of walkers, runners, and cyclists along the trail. People stop, take a closer look, and start conversations – and that’s often how they first learn about the important work the Friends are doing. In this way, the CARLA is not only a means of transport, but also a powerful tool for making their mission visible and inspiring new supporters.

160+ volunteer events since 2023!

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CARLA in action

How we haul 600 pounds of trail fixing equipment with Tern GSD cargo bikes and bike trailers.

The Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail supports the National Park Service in keeping the trail safe and welcoming for all users through education, trail maintenance, and community events. Since volunteer locations are not easily accessible via car, we transport all equipment to events on Tern GSD bikes and cargo trailers. This is the typical equipment set up for a 30 person volunteer event that focuses on removing invasive species, tree trimming, cleaning the trail, and trail bump removal.

Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail, Washington D.C.

The CARLA has completely transformed our work on the Mount Vernon Trail – we can reach places no car could reach, haul the heaviest loads safely, and turn heads while doing it. Without CARLA, many of our projects simply wouldn’t be possible.

 Cameron, Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail, Washington D.C.

THANK YOU Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail for your commitment.