Do you want to be able to transport your kids around by bike? Considering a cargo bike as an option? Understand the different types of cargo bikes and what could be an option for your family.
Cycling is a smart investment. It benefits the environment, the economy and all road users. When you add to this mix a bike that is ideal for moving loads or cargo your use options open up even wider. Now daily school runs and grocery trips can be comfortably achieved by bike. If you are considering using a cargo bike to transport your family around town you have come to the right spot. Read on for tips and advice about how to achieve this amazing active transport option.
Cargo Bike Choice
As the name implies cargo bikes are designed for taking weight so are perfect for transporting more than one child.  The set ups are either front or back, seats or boxes. Boxes can be enclosed or open. So you should be able to find something that suits your family dynamics.  Financially this is a bigger investment but with everyday use you will get your money back in saved car bills. See below for good explanations of your options and to get an idea of what brands are available in NZ.
Long John
You push the load rather than pull it. The freight or cargo area is in front of the rider between the handlebars and the front wheel. There is plenty of room for a large box here. The box is placed low to the ground which means good weight distribution. These cargo bikes come in single or double front wheel (trike) options, see more on trikes below. Look out for boxes that are designed to carry children rather than freight – padding, rounded edges etc. Brands like Bullitt offer alternatives to boxes – canopies or simple seats for older children.
A couple of the well known brands that are available in New Zealand are Christiania Bikes (Danish) & Radkutsche (German). Also Yuba – see photo & Bullitt
Front loading cargo bike designed to carry children – the “Yuba Supermarche”
Long Tail
Just like riding a normal bike just extended at the back. Great for adding kids on to the rear extended carrier seat. Adding kids here means you will have to adjust to the balance needed for weight sitting high at the back of your bike – this is a fairly easy adjustment especially for someone who rides regularly. Step through frames are recommended and there is a huge variety of these bikes available in New Zealand.
Popular brands are Yuba, eZee & Tern
Long tail cargo bike with lots of storage options – great for family riding
Front or Rear Load Trikes
Good option for people not used to riding or returning to riding. Wide at the front or back so your footprint is bigger giving you stability. Not an agile bike but can carry a lot. What you gain in stability you lose in agility. This type of cargo bike has a large loadable area and can take the weight with little effect on balance. Large boxes with ramps can hold wheelchairs for disabled children. If you add an electric motor it can be used for a wide range of transport & carrying tasks.
Radkutsche, eZee to buy or consider custom made with Cycle Trailers NZ Ltd
Wide stable base so ideal for carrying load.
Utility Bikes
This bike has a reinforced frame that can handle added weight but not up to the capacity of a normal cargo. Rides just like a normal bike (same shape/length/width) but is better than a normal bike for taking weight. Harder to use with a large family/older kids unless you choose to tow seats or a trailer. Often comes as an electric bike.
We found Moustache, Winora & Kona reinforced bikes in NZ.
Utility bikes won’t take great weight but they are better than standard bikes
Answer these questions
Where do you want the kids to be & how many kids do you need to seat? How much storage do you need – what kind of loads will you want to take? Where will you store the bike when it’s not being used? And the big question – how much money do you want to spend? Cargo bikes range from around $900 to over $10,000…
Is electric for you? Electric assistance will give you the ability to go further, climb hills that would be a challenge and add weight without affecting the effort you need to put in. Whether you get a built in motor or add one on, electric bikes give you the ability to use your bike to go more places, more often.
Alternative Option
The kids bike seat market has grown and expanded over the last few years. There is now a lot more choice in the NZ market. Included in this choice is the Bike Tow Frame from Follow Me Tandem. This bike to bike connector effectively creates a very stable & secure tandem bike. Because of the low hub to hub placement of the frame, rear kids seats can be used. This gives you options for assisting & carrying more than one child. The frame works with kids from 3-9years and is a more budget friendly investment for a family. It also has the added advantage of being a teaching aid. Helping kids to ride through traffic or over hills, experiencing these things on their own bikes making the transition to riding independently much easier.
Follow Me Tandems are a great towing experience for both the adult & child, recommended for use in traffic.
What to do when the kids are too old for your Cargo Bike.
A great story about planning for the transition off the cargo bike. When your family grows your options will need to change.
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goRide supporting women and families to SMILE when you ride
I build 4 wheelers far safer than bikes or trikes for the older or less adventurous even experimenting with an all weather canopy.
Hi Bill, wow your 4 wheelers look awesome. Great to have amazing Kiwi ingenuity that gives access to everyone!
Regards Annette
Hi, I’m looking for an e bike to tow a trailer and carry a bike seat on the back.. my price is around $4-5000. Any suggestions?
Hi Paige,
here is the link to the post you are looking for https://www.goride.co.nz/buying-an-e-bike-to-transport-kids-or-grandkids/
This was written at the beginning of 2020 so the pricing is probably out of date. We do recommend Electrify NZ and if you are in Auckland Electric Bike Hub are amazing!!
Hope you find the perfect bike and enjoy lots of family riding
Annette
All good and well folks, but does NZ have safety standards for “cargo bikes” into which some parents dump their children – making them effectively passenger vehicles?
They look somewhat cumbersome and less manoeuvrable than standard cycles. This would mean that entering roads AND cycleways would offer health and safety concerns for the children being transported – as well as the “driver”.
All passenger vehicles should require a WoF or regular safety compliance certifications. Otherwise, use a car, take the bus or push a pram like the sensible majority.
Hi Christopher,
you will find that there are safety standards for all imported bikes and bike safety accessories like helmets. Cargo bikes have been used for years in other countries and are designed to take load, they have all sorts of added features for this around gearing, brake systems and frame reinforcement hence their cost. Today’s bike shops offer an amazing range of ongoing service and workshop facilities. I don’t think any parent “dumps their kids” in a cargo bike and hopes for the best.
Regards Annette