An Oregon mother has come up with an inventive way to wheel her six children around – using a single bike.

Emily Finch, parent to six children – aged between two and 11 – travels around lugging 40-stone-worth of cargo (with all the kids and shopping) on her built-to-purpose bike and cart contraption.

The bike takes its inspiration from a Dutch-style ‘cargo bike’, which is able to carry more than a typical one, due to its additional wheels and compartments. It costs around £1,500 and thus far, has saved her having to pay for the upkeep of an SUV.

“Really, it’s such a bargain in the long run. It’s amazing,” the 34-year-old says. “I started looking at my life; I was living in a giant house and had a nine-person car. I remember thinking, there’s no reason I can’t walk or bike around town.” It was with that thought that she went about finding a bike suitable for her own needs.

Although she may have been impressed with the bike as soon as she received it, there were some initial limitations. “At first, it killed me,” Emily explained. “I thought I couldn’t ride it. It was seriously exhausting. But I just kept biking I got used to it and I’m one with the bike now.”

Emily continued: “I haven’t driven once in Portland, not having a car has pushed us to do a lot more than I would ever do if I had a vehicle sitting there in the driveway, especially when it’s pouring down rain and everyone’s angry.”

As far as Emily’s children are concerned, her kids “have forgotten what it’s like to even be in a car,” so they have no objections to their mother’s change of lifestyle. It’s helped to boost her mood too: “I was really depressed before,” Emily said, “but I was so happy after I got the bike. I just loved it.”

See Emily in action below:

Have you go any hint or tricks for travelling with lots of children?