Riding a cargo bike, easy or difficult

The cargo bike has become increasingly popular in recent years as an alternative to the car. Especially for families with young children, it is an ideal means of transportation. But is riding a cargo bike easy? In this article, we delve deeper into this question and provide answers based on research and experience.

Riding a Cargo Bike

In itself, riding a cargo bike is easy if you have experience riding a bike. It is a bit different, so it will take some adjustment regardless. There will also be much more weight, and the bike is also longer, which means adopting a different riding style.

You can ride quickly and aggressively on a regular bike, but on a cargo bike, it’s better to ride more carefully and controlled. Slipping, jumping, and other sporty maneuvers that come with biking won’t work with a cargo bike, which is logical. Each cargo bike is also different. There are good-quality cargo bikes of high quality and cheaper models with less riding comfort.

Steering the Cargo Bike

So, riding a cargo bike is similar to riding a regular bike. Because this bike is slightly longer, it takes some adjustment. You have slightly less control because the front wheel is further ahead of you, and there may be weight between the driver and the front wheel. The front wheel of a cargo bike is often smaller, usually 20 inches, so you also have slightly less grip on the ground because there is simply less tire in contact with the ground.

A large wheel is not recommended for a cargo bike because it still needs to be able to turn easily and remain controlled. That’s why we often see a small front wheel and a large rear wheel. The large rear wheel provides the necessary grip for acceleration, maintaining the path, and braking. The front wheel is more for control and maneuverability.

Braking with Weight

Nowadays, we also see ABS brakes on electric cargo bikes and cargo bicycles, which is a very interesting innovation. Especially in terms of safety, it is important when braking hard with the front wheel. It can sometimes happen, especially if there is weight in the cargo box, that the front wheel slides slightly or bounces a bit on the surface.

Once ABS is part of the technological package of electric cargo bikes, this will be a thing of the past. ABS ensures that you cannot slip and that your wheel also cannot lift off the ground easily, giving you much more control during braking.

Two or Three Wheels?

Also important is the choice between two or three wheels. We have already made a comparison between two and three-wheelers. One conclusion is that riding on two wheels is easier and more maneuverable. You have more control over your turns, speed, and so on. While three-wheeled cargo bikes are more difficult to tip over but are harder to ride.

Turning is somewhat cumbersome. You should definitely not turn them at high speeds. Unless you have a specially designed cargo bike with three wheels that have a tiltable cargo box, then it is possible. They have no chance of tipping over.

Visibility of the Front Wheel

The visibility of the front wheel is also important for some people. People who are not used to riding bikes, or who are riding a cargo bike for the first time, find it strange that the front wheel is not visible. The front wheel serves as a visual aid to know where your bike is going. If it is not visible and you have little experience with biking, it can feel somewhat awkward.
Whether your choice for an electric cargo bike should depend on this, in our opinion, it should not, because you will get used to it. So it may be that during testing, you find this very difficult and you think, this is not the cargo bike for me. Also, know that this will go away over time and it will become easier.

Maneuvering with a Cargo Bike

While a cargo bike may be easy to control on the street at a certain speed and during straight-line riding, the story can be different at low speeds. Consider situations such as being at a red light or simply maneuvering somewhere on the road.

It’s important to know that the turning radius of a cargo bike is significantly larger than that of a regular bike. These bikes are not as agile, and you cannot simply lift them and make a 180-degree turn like you might be used to with a regular bike.

Moving forward is still manageable, especially thanks to the walk assist feature that most electric cargo bikes have. This feature allows you to push the bike forward at a speed of about 6 kilometers per hour, which is generally quite easy.

However, if you then need to reverse and then move forward again, the cargo bike can behave rather awkwardly and slowly.

Imagine, for example, a situation where you are approaching an intersection and have the right of way. You decide to proceed, but then a car suddenly comes from another direction, and you have to stop and maneuver. It’s important to realize that these kinds of situations take time to get used to and will never really be easy. A cargo bike is simply a bit cumbersome.

It’s important to remember that the turning radius of a cargo bike is large and that maneuvering can be challenging. Making a 180-degree turn on the road is difficult, and taking sharp, short turns is practically impossible.

Additionally, backing up with a cargo bike, especially with weight in the box, is very awkward. Mastering this bike requires patience, practice, and adaptability.

In Summary

Riding a cargo bike is not difficult, but it does require some adjustment. Steering is different, and you need to be more cautious than on a regular bike. The choice between two or three wheels depends on your personal preference, and the visibility of the front wheel is something to consider but becomes natural over time. With the right cargo bike and some practice, you can safely and comfortably travel with5 your children or cargo.