So, you want a cargo bike! Here are my tips:

Ok first things first: I am not the foremost expert on cargo biking. There are many people who would be a better resource on the cargo bike market: those who have biked longer than I have, who own bike shops, or who work for cargo bike companies. If you want to leave right now and go find their websites/stores/social media, I won‘t be offended. Honest!

That said, I was an early adopter of the #cargobikelife, for an American, and have a strong interest in all things family biking. You might also say that researching things is one of my hobbies, which tends to lead to the acquisition of useful knowledge.

Now that we’ve discussed my credentials (or lack thereof, I’m not sure?), let’s get to the good stuff. You want to buy a cargo bike! Or maybe just an ebike with a bit of cargo space. Which one should you get? What factors should you consider?

longtail or bakfiets-style?

A longtail is basically a “regular” bike that has an elongated rear rack that can be outfitted to hold people or other cargo. This is the kind of bike you see with kids sitting on the back. You can add a seat for smaller children, and other accessories for older children. It rides similar to a regular bike, with more weight on the back of course.

A bakfiets-style bike has a large “bucket” for cargo, usually in the front. The advantages of a bucket are that you can see the kids and talk easily with them, you can throw lots of stuff in the bucket without any accessories/attachments, and you therefore don’t have to buy as many attachments. Bakfiets-style bikes can be inline (two wheels) or a trike (three wheels). I have a trike and love the stability and space it offers!

Price?

As with many things, bikes are a bit of a “you pay for what you get” situation. Cargo bikes can be expensive, for sure. But even the tip top of the line bike is going to be much cheaper than a car! If you’re planning to use your cargo bike regularly as a “car replacement,” I recommend spending as much as you can. It will save you in the long run on maintenance and other issues.

Also consider what accessories come with the bike: odometer? Lights? Rack? Bell? These are included on some bikes but not on others, and those costs do add up. Additionally, calculate all the accessories you will need for carrying your cargo. Kid attachments are usually not included.

Do i need e-assist? What Type of Electric Motor should i get?

Yes. You need it to be electrified. You will use it more. Its hard to pedal 100lbs of kids even if you’re in great shape and your community is flat. I know some will argue with me on this, and I supposed it is somewhat variable based on your specific circumstances, but my opinion is that you should get a e-cargo bike if you can swing the cost.

As for what type of motor/assist, this is a more technical point on which I will defer to the experts, but as you hunt for your e-cargo bike, keep in mind that there are different types of motors and electric assist. Some will ride more like a traditional pedal-powered bike, with just a little bit of power behind your pedaling, while other e-bikes are a bit more like a motorcycle in that they can be powered without pedaling. I have my own preference, and you will probably have yours, so try different types of bikes to decide what is best for your situation!

Brand?

There are so many options and more coming out all the time. Different bikes are available in different cities, so your best bet is to see what is available at your local bike stores. That said, bikes are often shipped to local stores from elsewhere, so if you have your eye on a bike that is not carried locally, having it shipped to you isn’t out of the question. We had our Nihola 4.0 shipped from California because at that time there were no bakfiets-style trikes available in Denver. Not all brands are created equal, obviously, so ask around and ask the experts about the pros and cons of different brands. Remember, you’re paying for what you get so if a bike is cheaper, it is cutting that cost somewhere. Affordable e-bikes are amazing and the right choice for many people, but you want to be an educated buyer.

What about buying used?

Yes yes yes! Buying an existing bike is always a good choice for the environment and your bank account. People are often selling their cargo bikes after their needs change. Check out Facebook Marketplace and other online sites. I recommend looking in surrounding regions too, because you might find your dream bike a short drive away, and it’d be worth that drive to save money and get the bike you want.

But do I really need a cargo bike?

We all have stuff to carry! Even if you don’t have kids, you probably still have stuff to move about your city or neighborhood. People without kids still buy big cars! Not that we should do that, but you take my point. And even if your kids can ride a bike on their own, a cargo bike is still a convenient way to transport older kids longer distances, or along routes that might not be safe for them to ride alone. My 10 year old rides her own bike a lot, but I also take her to activities in the cargo bike. Don’t assume your kids will “age out” of a cargo bike. In many countries, adults ride in cargo bikes frequently! Cargo bikes for all!

Ok, that’s all I got! What did I miss? What questions do you still have? What cargo bike are you getting? Share!