2024 - top family cargo electric bikes

what’s a cargo bike?

A cargo bike is the ideal car replacement, offering ample space to carry our children, our loved ones, friends, and some groceries!

Whether you're a parent looking to make daily commutes more fun and convenient, or seeking a new lifestyle that puts your family's needs and happiness first, there’s a cargo bike designed just for you.

From taking your kids to school to commuting to work or transporting goods, these versatile bikes are perfect for modern families who want a practical and joyful way to get around.

what to look for

Top 3 considerations to think about before deciding which cargo bike to pick:

• How many kids do I have or I’m planning to have, and what are their ages, and weights?

Kids first! If you have a kid, at the moment of thinking about a cargo bike, you should consider if you’re planning to have a second one to make sure you make the best choice for your present and future needs.
A child seat normally fits a kid up to 25kg. However, all the bikes have specific rack sizes and weight capacities, and not all of them can carry 2 child seats comfortably. As for our experience, kids will be in a child seat until they are 4 or 5 years old, since at this point they’re already able to hold themselves to the protections on the bicycle.

• What do I plan to do with my cargo bike?

This is the moment to think which routes I’ll be making on your daily basis.
Am I gonna pass through some hard inclinations? If so, a powerful motor should be a must.
How many km’s? Short or long lenght distances will dictacte the battery capacity that’s needed.

• Will I be sharing my bike?

Do I share the responsability of dropping the kids at school? Is my wife/husband/family be using the bike? If so, adjustable features will be important to riders of various heights.

the criteria

We’ve come up with this selection having in mind the following:

• What’s the motor performance in different situations? Does it come with the BOSCH’S Smart System?

• How safe is the frame to carry our loved ones? Are there safety/weather protections available?

• How’s the ridability? Is it comfortable to ride?

• Our professional expertise and our clients feedback.

multitinker - up to 2 kids

The Riese & Müller Multitinker it’s every families dream. Kids love the comfort, parents love the ridability.

Being the longest longtail of Riese and Müller, this is the most comfortable bike to take 2 kids on the back.
Specially for commuters who ride with a big backpack on their backs and one or two kids, having this extra room makes total sense and its a game changer.

With its smaller wheel, you’ll benefict from a more agile, enjoyable and fun to ride longtail.
It can can be easily shared with your loved one thanks to the adjustable handlebars that can be customized for a higher or lower height settings, ensuring a comfortable ride for both.

The Multitinker can be equipped with protection bars on the top of the rear rack (safety bar kit), which can also be covered with a protection (protection top) assuring your kids will be protected at all times, weathers and situations.

The Multitinker is ideal for families, especially for couples with significantly different heights who plan to share the cargo bike and have, or are planning to have, two kids.

Riese & Müller Multitinker

hsd - up to 1 kid

The TERN HSD is the perfect cargo bike for families with one child or those carrying a loved one.

For those looking for a more compact and small option, having in mind carrying only one person (small child, young adult, wife/husband, dog) this is the go to model, with a maximum carrying capacity of up to 180kg (80kg on the rear rack).

TERN offers a wide variety of accessories to enhance the functionality and versatility of their cargo bikes, including protection bars (Clubhouse Mini), a confortable chair to seat on (Captain’s Chair) and a cover for your upper and lower body (storm box + storm shield mini) making sure to keep the elements out and the good vibes in, enhancing comfort and safety.

The HSD is ideal for urban commuters and smaller families, with only one kid who require just a bit less of a bike.

TERN HSD

multicharger - high speed

The Riese & Müller Muticharger2 has the advantage of having a bigger wheel in a longtail, which will make you ride faster and feel more comfortable on the bumpy roads.

Those who ride it feel secure and stable and even call it a tank because of its robustness.

This model comes with the advantage of being the only long tail with a variant that supports up to 45km/h, which we strongly suggest everyone to try before buying it.

The benefit of being able to ride at 34 km/h, for example, on the road, might mean that the car behind you won't have any incentive to try to pass you or give you the extra confidence of riding in the middle of the road if necessary. 

Although this model can accommodate two child seats on the back, we highly recommend using only one, since the rear rack isn’t as big and roomy like the Multitinker’s.

The Multicharger2 is the perfect longtail for those who commute medium-length distances after dropping the kids at school or for couples who have similar heights and, therefore, can use the same frame size.

riese & müller multichargER

carrie - the best frontloader

The Carrie, the newest release from Riese and Müller, is a compact front-loader cargo bike designed to keep our loved ones closer and always within sight.

Its compactness, convinience and agility, makes her a great pick to ride through cities like Porto’s city center (narrow, busy and with a lot of turns) with our kids at the pole position.

The Flex Box in the front, when not in use, can be closed easily, allowing us to navigate narrow lanes.
Furthermore, this model comes with the option of adding a child cover, protecting our younger passengers from the wind, rain, and sun.

There’s nothing like the reassurance of having our child right in front of us, where we can see him at all times, while exploring and creating memories together!

We have been using it daily since July to be able to give our official opinion, but so far, what we have learned is that kids love it and are happier in the front than in the back.

riese & müller carrie

cargo bike lifestyle

It’s all about convenience, sustainability, and fun, transforming daily routines into enjoyable adventures.

Family-Friendly: Cargo bikes are designed to safely carry children, groceries, and other cargo.
Many models have sturdy frames, seat belts, and weatherproof protections, making them perfect for family use. Your kids will love the ride, and you'll enjoy the quality time together.

Cost-Effective: Compared to a car, cargo bikes are cheaper to buy, maintain, and fuel (since you only need your legs or a small electric assist). Plus, you avoid parking fees and traffic congestion.

Healthier Lifestyle: Cycling is a great way to stay active, and using a cargo bike encourages regular exercise. It’s not just about physical health; the joy of biking together boosts everyone’s mood. You’re also setting a positive example for your kids by choosing an active, environmentally-conscious way of living.

Creating Memories: Every ride on a cargo bike is a chance to bond with your children. Whether it's singing songs on the way to school, chatting about their day, or simply enjoying the fresh air together, these moments become cherished memories.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Embracing the cargo bike lifestyle means placing our familiy at the core of our days, making sure that everyday we nurture even more the bond we have witht hem, adopting a practical and joyful way to navigate life!

It's about creating happiness, setting a positive example for our kids, and making lasting memories that we'll cherish for years.

This lifestyle offers a cost-effective, fun and sustainable way to live, all while keeping smiles on both our and our loved one's faces.

At CICLO we have all the cargo bikes mentioned availabe for a test-ride.
Bring your family to know ours, and experience the joy of cargo biking for yourself!

Schedule a test-ride