Fog, rain, and tired legs – the perfect excuses to stay home. But a specific item was calling my name from the shelves of a Target store sixteen miles away. Driving felt wrong for just one thing, yet public transport with a bike seemed like a hassle. Enter the trusty e-bike, the unsung hero of errands both big and small. Could a Target E Bike run be the perfect solution? Spoiler alert: it absolutely was!
Target employee delivering order to a cyclist
Ditching the car for my electric cargo bike felt like the right, eco-conscious choice. The thought of combining errands to justify a car trip vanished as quickly as my initial hesitation to ride. My e-bike offered the freedom and efficiency I needed. Public transit research quickly proved less appealing. Weekend bus schedules were limited, making a trip to the Barbur Transit Center with my bike cumbersome. Walking and catching another bus? Even less appealing. The e-bike was clearly the best option for this target e bike mission.
So, rain canopy deployed, lunch packed, I set off on my electric cargo bike. Leaving the extra weight of the kid’s bike at home was a strategic move, significantly lightening the load. The weather even cooperated, the drizzle ceasing just as I began my ride. I tweaked my route, opting for a less hilly path, recalling a previous longer ride. Could I make it to Target and back on a single e-bike battery charge? This target e bike adventure was becoming a range test too!
Mural along the I-205 path in Portland
Before even leaving home, I downloaded the Target app, essential for their bike-up (or drive-up) service. Once the order was ready, the app prompted me to indicate when I was en route. Knowing I had a lengthy ride ahead, I waited until I was about ten minutes away before tapping “on my way.” Switching the pickup option from walk-up to drive-up was seamless within the app, and to my surprise, “Bicycle” was listed as a vehicle type! This detail confirmed Target’s growing awareness of diverse customer transportation choices, including the target e bike rider.
Approaching Target, I encountered a long queue of cars waiting to enter the store, a typical weekend scene. Just past the car line, a designated “Order Pickup” tent stood at the curb. Was this curbside pickup for real, bike and all? Then, I spotted them: parking spaces painted in bright red, clearly marked for drive-up order pickups. Perfect! I effortlessly glided my e-bike into the spacious parking spot, opened the Target app, and tapped “I’ve arrived.”
Target app showing bicycle as vehicle option for pickup
Expecting a wait, I deployed the kickstand, dismounted, and began removing my gloves. Before I could fully turn around, a Target employee was already approaching! He mentioned it was his first time delivering to someone arriving by bicycle. I shared that it was also my first time using the bike pickup service. I showed him the order number displayed prominently in the app, and that was it. The target e bike pickup was incredibly smooth and surprisingly fast.
The return journey completed a 34-mile round trip, with 1,900 feet of elevation gain. A respectable distance, just shy of my previous Gateway Green adventure. And the battery? Success! I made it home on a single charge, the display flashing zero range as I pulled into my driveway. This target e bike errand proved the practicality and range of my electric cargo bike for substantial distances and everyday tasks, making even a Target run an enjoyable adventure.
