Collection: Cargo & Family Electric Bikes

Want to get out more but use the car less? Want to replace some of your shorter trips that you’d usually do in your car, but have been struggling to find a practical and convenient means of transporting things around? Electric cargo bikes might just be your answer. 

Electric cargo bikes and family bikes are actually the same thing. They are a special type of e-bike that is designed to carry goods, packages, and, provided the range of required attachments are available, children as well (hence the 'Family'). 

They were initially popular with couriers who were delivering packages around metro areas, and more recently have become highly desired for food delivery servicers. However, today, they have also become popular with families and individuals who need a versatile and functional electric bike that allows them to commute, purchase, and run errands without worrying about transporting their cargo. 

They are characterised by an abundance of storage space, whether this be a rear rack, a front box, or a variety of racks, backs, & panniers dotted around the bike. They generally have a greater number of mounting points as well. 

High Weight Capacity

If you’re going to be transporting packages, regularly carrying things like groceries, or moving your kids around, you need to choose a cargo e-bike that is capable of carrying the total weight of both you and your cargo without:

• Burning out the motor,
• Reduced stopping power,
• Bending or snapping the frame,

Remember to subtract your weight from the total carrying capacity of the bike. If the bike can carry 200KG weight in total, and you weigh 100KG, then you can only carry 100KG of goods.

On top of that, remember certain types of storage accessories (i.e. racks and panniers) might also have their own weight limits as well. 

Torque Sensor

Jolty and unstable acceleration aren’t ideal traits for cargo and family e-bikes. Besides being a little unsafe, they can also cause damage to anything being transported, particularly if the jolt is enough to cause items to fall off the back. 

Torque sensors enable smooth & steady acceleration from the second the pedals start turning to ensure that overall stability is maintained while you get going. 

Suspension

When transporting anything, bumps and jolts not only provide an uncomfortable ride but they can damage whatever you’re transporting. Always choose a cargo bike with suspension. 

Hydraulic Brakes

The additional weight carried by cargo bikes means that they have more momentum once they get going. This momentum can lead to longer braking distances, so always aim for fully-hydraulic brakes to ensure maximum stopping power, especially if you will regularly be reaching your bike’s weight limit frequently. 

Compatible Accessories

Electric cargo electric bikes are meant to replace cars, so it’s essential to ensure yours is compatible with a variety of useful accessories, like front and rear baskets and panniers and child seats. 

Aventon, for example, carries storage accessories exclusively for the Aventon Abound. Fiido also offers panniers and racks for the Fiido Titan. By choosing these e cargo bikes, you won’t need to search for aftermarket parts that may not offer the same level of reliability as that provided by these brands.

Yes! This is becoming more and more popular as a great way of going on family adventures, but some families are even doing the school run on cargo bikes. 

It all comes down to how you set up your cargo bike. It’s generally inadvisable to simply dump your kids on the rear rack and tell them to hold on. Instead, set yourself up for success with handlebar or handrail attachments so they can hold on, a padded seat for comfort, and a helmet for safety. 

Beyond that, always ride with care and attention.