Whether you’re ditching your car for a cargo bike or just upgrading your current bicycle to something with more room for kids and storage, these models are worth a look.
Taking its name from the Indonesian word for “babysitter,” Netherlands-based Babboe is one of the most popular brands of cargo bikes. The two-wheeled Babboe City measures 255 centimetres long and comes with a wooden cargo box that can carry up to 80 kilograms, plus it has the appealing aesthetics of a classic Dutch cargo bike to boot.
Designed by Copenhagen’s Larry vs Harry to be both the fastest cargo bike on the road and incredibly stable even with kids aboard. For all its practicality, the Bullitt bike is funky, too; colour options include “Clockwork” (orange), “Submarine” yellow and “Lizard King” green.
If the self-deprecating joke of the name of this bike by the San Diego-based company doesn’t pique your interest, the Virtue’s striking green steel frame and wooden box should. This one is a solid choice for cyclists looking for a compact cargo. At 213 cm long, it carries a maximum load of 50 kg.
Madsen Cycles, based in Utah, put the cyclist up front and the kids (or cargo) behind. This design makes the Madsen stable, but it slows down the ride. The 40-gallon bucket that straddles the back tire isn’t as roomy as other options, but it’s big enough to carry two kids and a few bags of groceries.
Triobike Mono E Electric Cargo Bike
Thanks to a battery-powered motor, you can ride in ease for up to 90 kilometres on the Triobike Mono E. It’s got space for two children up to nine years old (or a maximum load of 90 kg) inside the carrier. Available in Canada from Allo Vélo.