As the demand to reduce carbon emissions and the number of miles we do by car increases, so does the rise in bicycle purchases. We’re seeing more and more people ditch the car and take the bike to work instead. It makes sense in cities and towns which have adequate cycle infrastructure, and there are more and more courier businesses turning to bicycles.
While good for those who can travel light, it can be difficult for families with children to escort around or businesses with bulkier items to move.
If you are looking for a company that can prove that cargo bikes are the future of cargo-carrying around cities, look to Pedal Me. They will be your taxi service and even help you move house by the power of pedals alone. Pedal Me is just one example of how an eCargo bike can change the world we live in. It’s easy to see how the business of selling cargo bikes, just like the eBike, is becoming more popular than ever.
eCargo or cargo?
For this article, while nearly all cargo bikes have an electric assist motor, we’re not going to refer to them as eCargo bikes but just cargo bikes. Hopefully, this will save confusion in thinking they’re in a class of their own.
What would I use a cargo bike for?
Sometimes, with a cargo bike, it’s easier to not think of them as a bike but your second car – they’re so efficient that they turn the school run, a nip to the shop or town into an enjoyable and easy affair. The different styles offer different capacity options, and it’s important to look at all options to suit your needs better.
At Parkers, we get a lot of joy from taking the kids to school on (and in) an eCargo bike. The children enjoy it too, and it opens their minds to a new way of travel that isn’t just the back seat of the car.
If you are considering purchasing a second car to help with kids clubs at a weekend or nursery runs, it might be time to start considering an eCargo bike. You’ll likely find you will start using it more than you would a second car.
What are the different styles of cargo bikes?
There are many types of cargo bikes out there, but the most common are Long John, Long Tail and Front Loader.
Long John
Not the pirate, the cargo bike. These have the load section behind the front wheel, stretched out further than what would be seen on a regular bike. This doesn’t affect stability but does mean a larger turning circle due to the longer wheelbase.
Long Tail
Where the Long John has the load in front of the rider, the Long Tail has it behind, and this time the rear wheel is stretched out further than expected.
Some people prefer this as it’s a little more stable, but the downside is that when turning, you must take into account the rear of the bike, much like towing a trailer. Again a larger turning circle on these styles of bikes due to the length of the wheelbase.
Front Loader
Sometimes referred to as a tadpole due to its shape, this style of cargo bike tends to have two wheels up front on either side of the loading bay and one at the rear. These are incredibly stable and offer the larger end of the loading bay.
The turning circle is decreased, and if you lift the rear wheel, you can turn them at their length, making them much easier to manoeuvre when stationary.
The downside of the Front Loader is turning at ‘speed’ – while we don’t think you’ll be charging around on these bikes, you should note that they tend to topple if you turn too sharply due to their high centre of gravity. Some bike companies are overcoming this by making the front wheels act more bike-like so they can lean with turning.
What do I need to look out for?
Firstly, you must ride what you feel comfortable with and within your limits, and you should make sure to choose a bike that will suit your needs. If you’re going to use it to transport your children, is there adequate space for them and their stuff?
For example, can it hold them and their school bags on the school run? Or, if you’re going to use it for shopping, will it have enough capacity to hold a week’s worth of shopping? Other things to ensure you’re comfortable with are the electric assist motor, battery life and range you will get.
Will the motor be powerful enough? Generally speaking, the Bosch motors that most cargo bikes use are incredibly powerful and deliver not only enough watts but enough torque to help you set off, climb any hills and ride around all fully laden with cargo.
Does the cargo bike have one or two batteries, or space for a second if you require it? Not only will this dramatically increase your range, but it will bring you peace of mind that you’ll get to where you need to be. It may also mean you won’t have to charge your cargo bike as often.
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Cargo bike safety equipment
Whatever you’re riding, you must feel safe and secure on the bike. This can be from a helmet to a bike lock. Below is a list of things that can help you transition to cargo bike life.
Helmets
As your speed will be a bit slower and leisurely on a cargo bike, you might want a helmet which matches this slower pace of life. Here are some great options.
Lumos Matrix Smart Helmet
Price: RRP £179.95 | VIEW OFFER
While expensive, this helmet offers some trick options to help keep you safe and be seen on the road while also providing good protection. It’s not light, at 580 grams, but that is because of the built-in lights, which, on the back, can display messages, symbols or patterns.
Pros
• 1,000 lumens of light
• Well-respected brand
Cons
• Expensive
• Slightly on the heavy side
Livall Smart Bike Helmet
Price: RRP £99.99 | VIEW OFFER
This is like the Lumos, but significantly cheaper. While it doesn’t offer as many lighting options as the Lumos, it will still, with the help of the handlebar-mounted Bluetooth-connected device, indicate and show when you are stopping or applying brakes.
The Livall smart bike helmet also has more air vents, allowing for more significant cooling in warmer weather. There is also a windbreaker microphone, meaning you can make and receive phone calls while riding, and an SOS detection system, should you have a fall, will notify the In Case of Emergency (ICE) contacts.
Whatsmore, it will give you GPS updates of where to go if you’re using your phone’s sat-nav, and all of this can be charged via USB. This is the perfect helmet for a cycling courier.
Pros
• Plenty of tech in one helmet
• Plenty of air vents for cooling
• GPS SOS detection
Cons
• Not a very well-known brand
• We would worry whether safety has been sacrificed for tech
OnBros Bike Helmet
Price: RRP £40.99 | VIEW OFFER
This classic style from OnBros is a simple design with a thin shell and perfect matching of colours. Fourteen vents on the top and rear of the helmet aid cooling but with most of the helmet covered, this helmet may be a bit more uncomfortable in warmer weather but offer ample cooling in colder months.
Easily adjusted by a dial on the back and a quick-release buckle, this super slick helmet is super cool.
Pros
• Stunning design
• Eco-friendly products
• Relatively low cost
Cons
• May be uncomfortable in the warmer months
Security
Cargo bikes can be big and heavy things, and most will come with a rear-wheel lock, but they are also expensive and hold their value very well – which is why it’s sensible to keep them as secure as possible. A hefty lock on the front wheel can be a deterrent as protection. As storage is not an issue with a cargo bike and a heavy lock, with the help of the electric motor, weight isn’t an issue either.
Kryptonite Keeper 12 Standard with Flex
Price: RRP £24.99 | VIEW OFFER
Kryptonite may be the best-known brand when it comes to bicycle security. This little bundle offers a four-foot Kryptoflex cable and a Kryptonite Keeper U-Lock. The cable is suitable for weaving through wheels, so they can not rotate fully, and the U-Lock will hold it securely in place. The cable can pass through itself to create a super-tight lock.
Pros
• Super-strong four-foot cable
• Very well respected brand name
• Secure U-Lock
Cons
• Cable might not be long enough to pass through all the wheels on your cargo bike
LITELOK® Gold Original Bike Lock
Price: RRP £119.44 | VIEW OFFER
Litelok has made a name of being an extremely light but very durable bicycle lock. It is incredibly lightweight, weighing just over a kilo in weight. Litelok claims that the hardened steel casing, which is the lock, not the belt, is virtually indestructible, and it has been proven to be super tough.
This small, flexible lock is not suited to be worn around the waist like some.
Pros
• Lightweight
• Very secure
• Very reputable brand
• Very flexible
• Can be paired with other Liteloks
Cons
• Expensive
Kryptonite Evolution Chain
Price: RRP £61.00 | VIEW OFFER
This new patent-pending design secures a heavy-duty chain to a hardened deadbolt, ensuring no ‘weak’ link in the chain. While the nylon sleeve which encases the chain is penetrable, it will stop the chain from catching and scratching your bike’s paintwork. It’s heavy-duty and weighs around three kilos – it promises to be secure, keeping you in the knowledge that your cargo bike will be safe while you’re not with it.
Pros
• Heavy duty
• Very reputable brand name
• Very secure
Cons
• No known cons
So, what are the best eCargo bikes to buy?
The eBike market is undoubtedly on the boom right now, and this can only promise that as products are made more readily available to comply with the demand, prices may come down in the future. However, holding out for this may never happen as demand could overwhelm supply, thus driving the price up.
Below is a list of cargo bikes that we feel will still hold their market value and be at the best value for you.
Tern GSD S10 (Cargo Line CX)
Price: RRP £5,200.00 | VIEW OFFER
The Tern GSD is a well-known long-tail cargo bike that offers accessories that will help you make the Tern your own and tailor it to your needs.
It features an ultra-durable and lightweight alloy frame with a secure and easy-to-use locking system that folds down in five seconds. Plus, it’s armed with a Bosch Cargo Line electric motor drive, a Shimano 1×10-Speed drivetrain and Magura MT5 hydraulic disc brakes. It’s fitted with lights, a carrier rack and mudguards.
With smaller wheels and all the weight kept down low, it’s a very stable and capable cargo bike. It’ll feel much more like your regular bike than you might think.
Pros
• Rides and feels like a regular bike
• Powerful Bosch motor
• Can carry up to two children
Cons
• Can be very heavy when fully loaded
• Getting a child seat at the rear can be tricky,
• If transporting kids, they’re behind you and not in plain sight
Raleigh Stride 2 Electric Cargo Bike
Price: RRP £4,395.00 | VIEW OFFER
With a low centre of gravity but in a Long John layout, the Raleigh Stride 2 Electric Cargo Bike is an excellent option for those who want to ditch the car whenever possible. A practical, elegant choice, the Stride 2 has a big carrying load – up to 80kg – and is well suited to shopping, kids and pets.
The electrical assistance means riding won’t become a slog. A Bosch 500Wh battery provides a range of up to 40 miles before a recharge is necessary, and it’s paired with a Bosch Performance CX Cargo Line motor. The Purion display allows you to monitor your journey. The bike has several accessories, including integrated front and rear lights, mudguards, a rear carrier, a stand and a lock, so you’ll be well prepared for all conditions and rides.
The Stepless shifting is perfect for a loaded-up cargo bike and allows you to maintain a consistent cadence regardless of going up or down. Hub gears are low maintenance to provide a fuss-free experience. The robust wheel and tyre combination is up to the challenge of everyday heavy loads, and disc brakes ensure safe stopping is possible in all conditions.
Pros
• Easy to ride
• Comfortable
• Up to 40 miles from one battery charge
Cons
• Can feel slightly unstable at speed
Raleigh Pro Bike Mid Motor Electric Cargo Bike
Price: RRP £4,499.00 | VIEW OFFER
Built on the same chassis as the Stride, except for this time, there’s no room for kids – this is a cargo bike for businesses. The Raleigh Pro Bike Mid Motor electric cargo bike can easily manoeuvre in heavy traffic, even with a loaded box. Featuring a robust, beautifully rounded composite box with a 350-litre capacity offering the ultimate ease of use.
Pros
• Large load capacity
• Powerful motor
• Great for businesses
Cons
• Longer length can make it difficult for nipping around town
Babboe Curve family trike
Price: RRP £4399.00+ | VIEW OFFER
The electric Babboe Curve Mountain cargo bike is an elegant three-wheel cargo bike with the highest quality standards. The Babboe Curve Mountain is powered by a very powerful Yamaha mid-drive motor with a power sensor and has a step-less shifting system. This combination provides a smooth cycling experience, ensuring you’re always in the correct place. You can fit up to four kids in this cargo bike – which will be welcome news for those with families bigger than four.
Pros
• Very stable because of three wheels
• Large load capacity
• Strong, powerful motor and large battery
Cons
• Cornering at speed can upset the balance of the cargo bike and, in some cases, can result in toppling over
Accessories
Of course, these bikes don’t come with everything you may need to suit you, but you can buy them as additional purchases if you wish…
Tern Storm Box
Price: RRP £202.50 | VIEW OFFER
It’s true that once you purchase the bike, you’ll need to buy other such things as well. For instance – you don’t want your litties getting wet through and blasted by cold winds come the winter months. It’s no surprise that cargo bike manufacturers sell these as extras.
Tern has many products which will make your travel options easier – but to build many of them, you’ll likely need the Storm Box first.
Combined with the Clubhouse+™ and Sidekick™ Wide Decks, the Storm Box transforms the rear of the GSD into a massive, weather-protected bucket. Two weather-resistant lids let you easily switch between carrying kids and hauling cargo. The water-resistant and lockable Cargo Lid protects your stuff from rain and prying eyes, while the Kid Lid cinches tight to keep little ones warm and cosy, even on bad-weather days.
Pros
• Great all-weather protection for kids
• waterproof and durable
Cons
• Can take a while to install, but once it’s on, it’s on
• Pricey
Tern Storm Shield
Price: RRP £180.00 | VIEW OFFER
The Storm Shield is a weather-resistant canopy that keeps the elements out and everyone on the inside dry and happy. Combine with the Clubhouse+™ or Clubhouse™ to protect passengers from rain, snow, and wind. It gives little ones a cosy place to sit (or sleep) when bad weather hits and can also be used for sun protection on high UV days.
Pros
• Great all-weather protection for children
• Protection from the wind as well as the elements.
Cons
• Pricey
• Can take a while to install
• It is additional and not included
• Does not work without the Storm Box
Topeak Journey Cargo Trailer
Price: RRP £419.99 | VIEW OFFER
If you wanted to add a little bit of extra luggage space to your bike or cargo bike, maybe this might be something for you to consider.
A modern trailer and drybag combo, perfect for a ride to the market or a trip across a continent. Features an elegant, lightweight yet rugged twin spare frame and handles any touring load with predictable and stable road manners.
Pros
• Extra storage at minimal cost
• Flag makes it more visible to pedestrians and other road users
• Great waterproof design
Cons
• Take care of extra length when cornering.
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