Cargo bike guide: which type is right for you?

It’s hard to overstate the usefulness of cargo bikes. They’re a healthy and practical alternative to local car trips, but their benefits go far beyond that. If you’ve ever passed a Dutch primary school at drop-off time, you’ll know what we mean. A line of bakfietsen is a calmer, safer scene than a battalion of SUVs fighting for parking space.

For families and businesses alike, cargo bikes offer a more civilised way to move children, shopping and supplies. And they don’t have to be expensive. In 1939, a cargo bike cost £18, which is £950 in today’s money. All these years later a similar machine can be bought for the same price.

The challenge is that, despite their growing popularity, cargo bikes remain a rare sight in cycle shops, which makes it tough to get a feel for the options. Here is what to look for.

Cargo trikes

Cargo tricycles are the most recognisable type of “box bike”, which is hardly surprising given the idea has been around for almost 150 years. In 1877, British inventor James Starley drew up plans for heavy-duty carrier tricycles, a concept that evolved into the design that’s still around today.

ith the cargo box between two front wheels, trikes feel stable when stationary and make it easy to keep an eye on children seated in front. The trade-off is cornering that can feel odd because, unlike a bicycle, most trikes do not lean.

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If you’re looking for a budget buy, Amcargobikes offers a no-frills, Danish-assembled cargo trike for £735, plus around £100 in UK import tax. Electric versions start at £1,200.

Christiania is perhaps the best-known cargo trike name of all. The company emerged from Copenhagen’s car-free Christiania community in the early 1970s, where cargo bikes were a necessity. They’re still going strong today, and a Christiania Classic 7-speed is yours for £2,300.

Nihola began in 1998 after engineer Niels Holme Larsen set out to build a light, stable cargo bike capable of carrying two children and shopping, as a genuine rival to a car for local trips. The Nihola Family Gen 1 costs £2,732 - £4,727 depending on specification.

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Longtails

Longtails suit riders who want to avoid the bulk of a cargo trike. If you’re familiar with the Tern GSD, you will already recognise the shape: a stretched bike with a longer rear rack built into the frame. The appeal of longtails is obvious: they feel more like ordinary bikes to ride, filter through traffic and store.

Yuba specialises in no-nonsense cargo bikes. Founded by Ben Sarrazin, the company sees its bikes as practical, sociable tools for everyday family life. The Yuba Kombi non-electric goes for £1,199.

Fiido is a relative newcomer to the market, and sells direct to consumers online rather than through a traditional dealer to keep prices lower. For example, the Fiido T2 Longtail retails for £1,454.

Tern is known for its range of practical urban bikes, from folders to e-bikes, but for us the GSD is the standout model. No longer than a mountain bike, the GSD’s party tricks are its partial fold, and ability to be wheeled and stored vertically. The Tern GSD S10 LX 545Wh electric cargo will set you back £5,900.

Front loaders

Front loaders carry cargo between the handlebars and front wheel. In general, they are longer than a longtail. For example, the Urban Arrow Family measures 260cm compared to the Tern GSD’s 192cm. Couriers like the nimble handling of a front loader, but be warned; if you’ve never ridden one, low-speed steering can feel twitchy at first because the handlebars push and pull arms to turn the front wheel, rather than be connected to the fork directly.

Trek is one of the cycling industry’s giants, so its Fetch+ front loader shows how cargo bikes have moved into the mainstream. This take on the classic Dutch bakfiets combines a front box, 80kg rear rack and 750Wh battery with a claimed 139km range. The recommended retail price is £5,000.

Pioneer of the electric front-box cargo bike, Urban Arrow has launched the FamilyNext Pro. Equipped with a Bosch motor and front suspension, it’s a sleek design that retails for £6,499.

Riese & Müller sits at the premium end of the front loader market. The Load 75 boasts full suspension and a Rohloff hub gear. Yours for £9,960.

Trailers

A bicycle trailer combo is a cargo bike in spirit, if not in name. Trailers can be cumbersome to manoeuvre, and heavier loads a sweat unless you’re riding an e-bike, but making use of the bike you already own makes it the cheapest way to carry bulky loads. Prices start at around £65.

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The HOMCOM steel frame cargo trailer costs £65.99, comes with a fabric bag and cover, and can carry up to 40kg.

Burley has its roots in late 1970s Oregon and is still going strong. The £405 Burley Nomad has a 45kg payload, 105 litres of cargo space and a weatherproof cover.

Carla Cargo makes trailers aimed squarely at commercial users. Built in Germany, this heavy-duty 200kg trailer has overrun brakes, and can also be used as a hand cart. The Carla Cargo 200kg model costs £4,000.

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FAQs

Is there a grant to help buy a cargo bike?
Unlike some European countries, the UK does not offer a nationwide cargo-bike grant for private buyers, although you can buy a cargo bike through the Cycle to Work scheme if your employer offers it.

Are there different rules for cargo e-bikes?
Electric cargo bikes are subject to the same rules as any other style of e-bike, or EAPC (electric assist pedal cycle). In practice, that means a motor no bigger than 250 watts, which cuts out at 15.5mph. When you buy any e-bike online it’s important to check its specifications carefully as some models sold internationally don’t meet UK e-bike rules, particularly the restrictions on motor size. Remember, the 250 figure limit relates to the motor, not the battery. 

Who can ride a cargo e-bike?
If you are 14 or older, you do not need a licence, vehicle tax or insurance to ride a cargo e-bike in the UK. 

Can cargo e-bikes have a throttle?
UK law allows e-bikes to have a throttle, provided it cuts out at walking speed (no more than 6km/h, which is about 3.7mph). If you want throttle-only assistance up to 15.5mph without pedalling, the bike will need to pass the relevant approval tests.

How do you deal with a cargo bike breakdown?
The size and weight of cargo bikes can make breakdowns difficult to deal with at the roadside, especially if you are carrying children or heavy cargo. Cycle Rescue offers breakdown recovery for cargo bikes, recumbents, adapted cycles and tandems, as well as conventional bicycles. 

Can you carry a cargo bike by car?
Electric cargo bikes typically weigh over 60kg, but the BikeCarGo Explorer is a UK-designed roof-mounted carrier built specifically for front loaders and popular longtails. The Tern GSD is compact enough to travel on a conventional bike rack, and its folding feature means it can travel inside many medium-sized cars.

Can you rent a cargo bike?
If you only need a cargo bike from time to time, renting can make more sense than buying. First launched in London and now expanding across the country, OurBike hires out cargo bikes for £5 an hour. It’s also worth asking your local council as some rent out or lend cargo bikes.

Is it worth getting a cargo bike without electric assist?
It depends on what you plan to carry and what your budget is. Non-electric cargo bikes start from about £750 and count on an extra £500 to add electric assist. Although e-cargo bike motors are limited to 250W, high-capacity batteries help deliver extra power to make light work of heavier loads.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 35 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

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