Go back to the Cargo Curious Bike Guide.
What types of cargo bikes are there?
We received data from bike owners encompassing three broad categories of bikes. This list does not encompass all types or manufacturers of cargo bikes. The pricing listed is based on what the respondent paid at the time of purchase and includes the accessories they purchased to configure the bike to their needs.
| Front-loaders (Bakfiets) | Longtails | Trikes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger/Cargo location | In front of rider | Behind rider | In front of rider |
| Bikes covered | Babboe City Riese and Muller Urban Arrow Yuba Supermarché | Flyer Rad Power Tern Xtracycle Yuba | Bunch Original |
| Average use frequency | Multiple times a day | 60% of respondents use it at least most days in the week | Every day |
| Pricing | |||
| non-electric | $2,000+ | Discontinued by above brands. Used $1000. | $2,000+ (Virtue Schoolbus) |
| electric | $7,000 – $10,000+ | $2,000 – $6,600 | $4,865 |
| Average years of ownership | 3+ years | < 1 year: 50% 1-2 years: 20% 2-3 years: 15% 3+ years: 15% | 3+ years |
| Average miles ridden | 2,000+ miles | 2,000 miles | 2,000+ miles |
| Passenger Capacity | |||
| Adults | 1-2 | 0-2 | 2 |
| Children (8-13) | 1-2 | 1-2 | 3 |
| Children (under 8) | 3-4 | 1-3 | 4 |
| Largest cargo transported | Oven, Dryer, Bookshelves Bouncy house + generator, Wheelbarrow, Dog | Christmas Tree, 1 bd apartment (minus bed), Beach umbrella and kids, Groceries and kids | Tall Plants, 2 kids + groceries |
| Ease of parking | Tricky. Some bikes come with built in locks, but others you may need to invest in a longer bike lock. These do not attach to bike racks well. | Medium. These are narrow enough to attach to larger bike locks but are too large for lockers. | Tricky. Not all places have bike parking that can accommodate. |
| Riders wish it had a | Horn, Way to fold the bench seat to use all cargo space, Better way to secure cargo, Better rain solution, | Clock and light indicator on the control panel, Coffee cup holder, Cargo area cover, More flexible kickstand, Way to use the battery to power phone | Clock |
Electric or Non-electric?
One of the first things you’ll notice about cargo bikes is that they are much heavier than your typical bike. Longtail bikes will typically be lighter, but a minimum of 60 lbs if they haul more than one person. The Urban Arrow weighs 100 lbs and the Bunch Bike weighs 152 lbs. The weight and length of these bikes makes handling more challenging than on a normal bike, and when you add cargo weight, the difficulty increases. As a result, many of the bike manufacturers have begun or fully transitioned to electric only. While it’s still possible to find non-electric versions of many of these bikes (especially if you want to buy used), if you plan on hauling people or heavy cargo, you’re probably going to wish you had an electric bike, even in Alameda.
High quality, high capacity batteries are expensive. If you want an extra battery or need to replace an existing one expect to pay quite a bit. This also explains a huge amount of the cost difference between electric and non-electric versions of the same bike. For example, an extra Shimano 620wH battery was quoted at $1000.
It’s important to buy and install quality batteries as well, because damaged, low-quality, or poorly installed batteries can start fires. See this article with battery considerations and safety tips.
What are e-bike classes?
If you decide to purchase an electric cargo bike, it’s important to know there are different class types which have different types of assist and legal requirements.
Class 1 and 2
These classes of bikes are capped at 20 mph of assist.
- Class 1: pedal assist only
- Class 2: throttle assist; most also provide pedal assist
These classes of bikes can generally be ridden on bike paths and bike lanes that are shared with traditional bikes unless there is a sign prohibiting them. There are no age-restrictions for Class I bikes.
Class 3
Class 3 bikes have pedal assist up to 28 mph and are not allowed to be ridden on bike lanes, bike paths, or trails unless specifically allowed. In California, class 3 bikes are not allowed to have a throttle. Riders must also be 16 years of age or older and wear a helmet.
Class 3 bikes may also be excluded from rebate programs, so always check with the rebate provider to find out if they are covered before making a purchase.
For more information on current California laws related to cycling, see these articles:
- What are Ebike ‘Classes’ and What Do They Mean?
- California Bicycle Laws
- California Bicycle Laws – Updated 2023 (this is a document written by a bicycle accident law firm)
Go to Part 2: Decisions.