A cargo bike is a bike re-engineered with one superpower: carrying capacity. Unlike a conventional bike where you are stuck with overstuffed panniers, or a toddler wobbling in a bike seat, cargo bikes are built ground up to carry significant loads - your children, your groceries for the week, or even gear for your work. They're a perfect substitute for many short trips in the car, and are cleaner, cheaper, and often simply more fun to transport your gear from A to B. And then if you add an electric assist, legally in the EU, that's a storefront 250W that assists up to 25km/h, you've got a bike to turn challenging trips into effortless journeys.
Why a Cargo Bike Could Be Your Next Best Purchase
The reasons for converting to a cargo bike are far-reaching. First and foremost, you'll save a lot of money. When you factor in the costs of fuel, insurance, parking, and maintenance for a car, a cargo bike costs far less to operate. Secondly, you'll save time. In high-traffic urban areas, getting stuck in traffic as opposed to riding a bike can be a huge time saver. The most important reason is that riding a cargo bike is fun. There is something fundamentally satisfying about human-powered travel, the connection to the environment, and the look on your children's faces while riding ahead of you. A cargo bike is more than a means of transport; it's an upgrade in your life.
The Ideal Cargo Bike for You: Types of Cargo Bikes
There are a variety of cargo bikes, and what type of bike you choose depends entirely on your load, as well as where you are going. The dominant styles you will find are box bikes, or bakfiets, and longtails.
Box Bikes
Box bikes (or, bakfiets) consist of a large (box-like) container positioned at the front of the bike, and this design positions the load low to the ground, which maximizes stability and allows the rider to maintain a view of their children or important cargo. They are the classic choice for school journeys, and they are amazing for transporting younger children (though you could fit a baby in a car seat and secure it in the box!) They are very stable when in a stationary position if three-wheeled, and agile and bike-like when of the two-wheeled design.
Longtail Bikes
Longtail bikes have an extra-long frame at the back, which creates a long platform behind the rider, allowing you to fit super-sized panniers, a child seat, or even a bench for slightly older children. Longtails are generally more stable than box bikes, are usually more user-friendly, and are generally easier to store in a standard shed or garage because they are not as wide. When you are riding them, they feel very similar to riding a normal bike. Just longer.
The Game Changer - Why You Need an Electric Cargo Bike
Traditional cargo bikes are great, and electric-assist is a real game-changer. Consider hauling a load up a hill after you’ve had a long day; that can seem painful. However, the pedelec bike provides this massive pedal assist from the electric motor. The additional power of the electric motor helps when you need it most...uphill, and makes long distances feel small. This means that after your journey, you arrive at your destination fresh instead of flustered. For a cargo bike, which would be heavier due to its configuration, the electric motor is not just an extra bonus; it's a necessity. The care that has been taken to allow electric bicycle motors to be integrated into bikes allows the rider to fully utilize the potential of the cargo bike, meaning it is a viable car replacement for almost any family.
Check out this Ultimate Family Mover - The ENGWE LE20 Cargo E Bike
When it comes to choosing an electric cargo bike that can genuinely cover all bases, the ENGWE LE20 is a class on its own. This is not a bike; this is a personal transport mode for contemporary living. The outstanding feature of the LE20 is that it has a colossal 200kg payload capacity, which means you can carry two children, your week's groceries, and all your work kit all at the same time. The 250W mid-drive motor has a massive amount of torque with upwards of 100Nm, which means it will provide smooth, intuitive pedal assistance, making steep hills with heavy loads a breeze.
What truly separates the LE20 fit from its competitors is its astounding range. With the dual battery option, you can cover 350km on a single charge. This removes range anxiety altogether, and you could arguably roll along for weeks of school runs and errand runs without even thinking about plugging in. It is packed with practical features, hydraulic disc brakes for safe and reliable stopping, a step-through frame for easy mounting, and puncture-resistant tires; the list goes on. This is the intelligent, feisty, super-capable partner for every family venture.
Don't Forget: Protecting Your Investment with E-Bike Insurance
Once you have chosen your ideal cargo bike, important to protect your investment, and e-bike insurance is highly recommended. A quality cargo bike is a substantial investment, and thieves are known to target cargo bikes. Quality cargo bikes are a major investment, and thieves do not miss them. A good or reliable insurance policy will cover you for theft, accidents from negligence, liability, and personal injury. It can give you the peace of mind that you are financially covered if you ever have an incident while riding. There are many specialist insurance companies around who have produced policies specifically for e-bikes, so when looking for an e-bike insurance quote, be sure to shop around to get an insurance quote with full protection.
Your Questions About Cargo Bikes Answered
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What can I carry on a cargo bike?
Pretty much everything! The most common options for use on cargo bikes tend to be kids, groceries, and small business deliveries. Practicality - this form of bicycle can carry incredible weights, often over 150kg. You can transport multiple children, a huge grocery shop, pets, home DIY, and even sports equipment!
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Are cargo bikes stressful/hard to ride?
Although cargo bikes handle a bit differently than a regular bike due to their length/width, most people adapt to this very quickly. Electric assist models make them incredibly easy to ride, even when fully loaded with substantial cargo. It is always good practice to take a test ride to get the proper experience.
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Where is the best place to buy a cargo bike?
The best place to visit is the ENGWE online website. Alternatively, look for an established dealer that has a wealth of knowledge of cargo bikes or e-bikes. The more knowledge the dealer has, the better they will be able to set you in the right direction, and most even have after-sales service, which may be very valuable. Most also provide excellent opportunities to test ride, which is critical.
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How do I lock up a cargo bike?
Lock it up like it is a good vehicle. Use 2 high-quality, hardened steel locks (e.g., a D lock and heavy chain lock), lock it to an immovable object, and if you can, look to secure it more with other things like GPS trackers. Always remove the battery if you can.
