8 Best Electric Cargo Bikes for Families (2024) | WIRED

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There are a number of physical, philosophical, environmental, and logistical reasons why it’s better to hop on a bike than it is to drive a car. Sitting in traffic is mind-numbing. Earth is on fire. Yet somehow it's easy to ignore all this when you're late to work and have yet to wrestle pants onto your screaming toddler.

How We Test

Each tester rides the bike for a minimum of 20 miles. We have testers from coast to coast, from Brooklyn, New York, to Portland, Oregon, and a few cities in between. Each tester rides on a variety of surfaces to test the bike's handling—not just roads but also gravel, dirt, and potholed streets—while carrying cargo. This will vary from tester to tester; for example, editor Julian Chokkattu is 6'4" and weighs more than me and my entire family when riding on one bike.

Other factors we look at are:

For more tips, check out our complete guide to How to Buy an Ebike.

Which Bike Type Is Best for You?

Electric cargo bicycles come in two configurations. The first are front-loader bikes, also known as bakfiets or Long Johns, which suspend a cargo box between the rider and the front wheel. The other layout is a midtail or longtail, which extends the rear end of the bicycle to accommodate more bodies and gear.

Both shapes have pros and cons. I've found that the bigger the rider, the more likely they want a front-loader bike, which in addition to hauling kids can be used as a big bin for yard equipment, tools, and more. However, you will need a garage or storage space and a very good and reliable lock system; they're harder to maneuver and much heavier if you have to go over curbs or rough terrain; and they don't feel particularly stable at slower speeds.

If you're a smaller or lighter person, you may prefer a midtail or a longtail, which maneuver more like a regular bicycle. However, the weight is suspended on the back end and higher up, which makes some people nervous about dropping it. I own a longtail; I prefer the maneuverability, but it can be annoying making sure that everything is strapped down on a rack or in a pannier. If possible, I recommend making an appointment at your local bike shop to try several models before committing.

If you're trying to reconcile your carefree biking days of yore with your current life as a family chauffeur—or even if you don't have kids and just want to make a quick run to the hardware store—I highly recommend getting an electric cargo bike. Mine has transformed my life, turning my dull, daily errand-running into a multitasking combination of joyride and workout. I ride each bike for around 20 miles each, biking my kids to school or the dog to the vet, toting large zucchinis or who knows what around on some of the best (and worst) electric cargo bikes around.

These are our favorites. Once you have a bike, check out our guide to family biking with kids. Need a smaller vehicle? Check out our roundups of the best electric bicycles and best bike accessories.

Updated October 2024: We added new information about the Urban Arrow, the Mod Easy sidecar, and the Radio Flyer Via Pro. We also added spec tables and a How We Test section, and we updated links and prices.

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You know what, just get this. Don't even read the rest of this roundup. I first tested the R&M Load (8/10, WIRED Recommends) when my children were 1 and 3, and I recently retested the Urban Arrow Family (8/10, WIRED Recommends) now that they're 7 and 9. I should've bought this bike, because it's just as useful now as it was then, and my children have largely outgrown my longtail. Both have excellent specs, but I prefer the Family because, as a smaller woman, I find it easier to maneuver. The box sits slightly lower, on the bottom of the front chassis instead of the top, and a lower center of gravity makes it easier to steer. It has a continuously variable shifter that lets you downshift from a standstill, so you're not frantically downshifting while trying to muscle uphill with your children shrieking and wobbling in the box.

The bike comes in two versions, a Performance Line and a Cargo Line. (The more affordable Performance line has slightly less torque.) Urban Arrow recently updated the Family to the Bosch smart system. You can connect your bike to the eBike Flow app (iOS, Android), which lets you do some fun things like navigate on the display or check your smartphone's battery power. What I like the most is that you can take off the bike's computer. This, in combination with the integrated Abus bike lock, means that I can feel pretty OK about leaving it on the playground while my kids are playing.

However, if the roads are rough where you live, you'll probably want the R&M Load's full suspension. R&M makes several different sizes and styles of box bikes; the Packster or the Transporter have a bigger capacity.

I have been waiting for a major bike manufacturer to release an affordable, reliable daily driver that can be a car substitute. That, my friends, is the Specialized Globe Haul ST. This sleek, black daily driver fits a wide variety of heights; my 5'10" husband and my 5'2" self can switch it in the same day. The powerful 700-watt motor relies on a IPX7-rated battery that has a remarkable range of well over the stated 60 miles. The display is intuitive and the pedaling feels natural. The compact 20-inch multi-terrain wheels are maneuverable and feel stable on roads, dirt, and gravel.

I just have two small qualms: There's no suspension, which can make a difference if you're carrying a lot of things and people, and there's no belt drive. However, Specialized uses quality components and has a large network of affiliated shops to get routine maintenance. This is the bike that everyone in my family—me, my husband, and my two kids—asks to ride whenever we leave the house. Just attach two front panniers ($80) for tossing in snacks and water bottles and you're good to go.

★ Alternative: You do have a few direct-to-consumer options. Probably the most popular is the big, powerful, and almost disturbingly affordable Rad Power RadRunner 2 ($1,249). It's worth noting here that this bike was at the center of a tumultuous series of lawsuits and layoffs; however, we've tested these bikes and know a number of people who have owned and operated theirs responsibly for years with no problems. Just don't let your kids ride one.

The Flyer Via Pro is the first cargo electric bike I’ve tested, and I don’t think I could’ve asked for a more reliable experience. It took me roughly an hour or two to assemble, and the instructions were nice and clear. The company sent me a front basket, the Kid & Cargo Carrier, plus the Kid & Cargo Carrier XL Hauler that attaches to the rear rack, but there are so many other accessories available that you can customize the bike to whatever (or whoever) you plan on hauling. I don’t have kids, so I mainly used the hauler’s spacious storage capacity for groceries and beer. Lots of beer. The ebike has a 400-pound weight capacity.

Riding on this class 2 ebike is like riding a cruiser. It’s a bit unwieldy to move around when you’re trying to get it into place to hop on, but once your feet hit the pedals, it’s smooth sailing, baby. The 750-watt motor breezed through the streets of Brooklyn and had no trouble with slopes. I typically rode at level-three pedal assistance (out of five) and sat at roughly 17 miles per hour (it maxes out at 20 mph). The hydraulic brakes are effective, the Shimano eight-speed shifter is easy to use, and I liberally used the throttle to escape narrow jams in traffic so I didn’t get squished by cars. The suspension was most impressive; we have some seriously terrible streets in New York City, and even going over milled roads, I was surprised at how the ride still felt reasonably calm and didn't make my teeth chatter.

You can use the surprisingly slick app to customize speeds per pedal-assistance level, but I largely stuck with the defaults. The Flyer Pro’s cockpit is excellent, which is partly why I didn't feel the need to fuss with the app. The color display distinctly shows battery life, speed, the odometer, and pedal-assistance level. And I can reach the turn signals with my thumb. I’ve been storing the whole thing outside in my yard and have kept it covered with Radio Flyer’s waterproof bike cover. Just remember to bring the battery inside. That might be my only gripe—the battery is in a cramped area and can be a little awkward to remove and reinstall. —Julian Chokkattu

Gear editor Michael Calore is a fan of the first cargo bike from Aventon, one of the leaders in competitively priced, direct-to-consumer ebikes. It's incredibly flexible. Carting the kiddo to school? Add a back seat ($63) and a handrail ($78) to the long rear platform. Blissfully child-free? Install front and rear racks ($70, $159) to haul groceries and garden supplies. The easy-riding stepthrough frame fits pilots up to 6'3".

The Abound’s pedal assistance system uses a rear hub motor with a torque sensor, a design that adds a smooth and even boost based on how hard you’re cranking. In the lowest of the four assistance levels—the power-sipping yet capable Eco mode—you can eke out 50 miles on a charge. Your mileage drops if you load the bike up to its 440-pound capacity, liberally thumb the bar-mounted throttle, or blast around town in Turbo mode at the max speed of 20 mph. Even then, you’ll still get nearly 20 miles out of the 720 watt-hour battery.

★ Alternative: My husband rides the Lectric XPedition ($1,399). which is now one of the most affordable ebikes to have hydraulic brakes—a necessity if you're ebiking with your kids. It's the easiest cargo bike to assemble out of the box that I've experienced, fits a wide variety of riders, you can order it in a double-battery configuration, and it and also comes with a huge array of proprietary accessories. For now, I think the Aventon is slightly easier to ride, it's quieter, and the Lectric's lack of a torque sensor is annoying.

I'm still testing this ebike (full review to come) but it does come with a few major caveats. It's a direct-to-consumer bike, and we contracted with a local service to assemble it at my house. However, several parts were missing or unusable, and we had to wait a day for replacements. This is an issue if you're assembling it yourself. Also, the company claims that the minimum height is 5'2", but I am 5'2" and can't fit on it. The seat post tapers, so it can't be cut. I had to sub my own seat in, so I didn't get to use the comfy, beautiful saddle with suspension that comes with this bike. I find the laid-back, Harley-style seating difficult to maneuver while riding, which is probably related to the fact that overall, I'm just a little too short to ride this.

However, my family and I really like this sidecar style, and it's worth including because of that. The sidecar can carry up to 150 pounds, so anyone in my family can ride it, with a special shout-out to my dog, who loves it. I also love that you can quickly detach the sidecar, so it's versatile and easy to store in my crowded garage. It has everything you need—a 750-watt hub motor with a throttle, a big, easy-to-read color display, and hydraulic disc brakes. If you want to cosplay as Indiana Jones and Dad Jones in the Last Crusade, this is the bike to get.

I must disclose that when it came to buying a bike for my own family, I picked a Tern GSD (8/10, WIRED Recommends). I first tried it when my daughter was 3. Now she's 7 and even though she can ride on her own bike, she can still hop on with her brother, who is now 5. If I'd bought it when she was 3, I would have gotten four years of continuous use out of it. I love everything about it—the low center of gravity, the small, maneuverable wheels that let me dodge kids on campus, the brakes that reliably bring me to a dead stop on hills in the driving rain.

I especially love the accessories. The Pacific Northwest has been battered by a soaking atmospheric river this winter, and the Storm Shield ($230) let me continue to bike my kids to and from school. Both my 5- and 7-year-old can still fit inside, protected from the elements.

If this particular model—which has a Enviolo continuously variable hub to let you shift the bike from a standstill—is a little too expensive, Tern does have a whole range, from the most affordable GSD S10 to the dual-battery GSD S14. Even older models have the powerful, reliable Bosch motor with a compact display; the short, maneuverable length; and low center of gravity that make them comfortable and easy to ride.

When you ride family bikes, everyone gets to weigh in. My husband loved the Bunch's large capacity, powerful motor, and tricycle configuration. He never had to worry about keeping the bike balanced while my kids climbed in. It's also the only box with walls high enough to hold my dog, and I can carry up to four kids while riding.

I did not like the Bunch Bike; I found it slow, awkward, uncomfortable, and a little overpriced. I also got tired of my neighbors asking if I was starting a hot dog truck. It doesn't have any shocks, and its weight means you inevitably start to drift toward the curb on any cambered street—even with Bunch's anti-tip technology. But if you live in a place with plenty of storage space and flat roads, this might just be the right bike for you.

If space is a concern, I recommend Tern's Quick Haul. Tern Bicycles makes some of our favorite electric bikes, including the GSD S00 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) that I bought for myself. Their latest Quick Haul forges a good compromise between reliability, utility, and cost. For example, instead of a carbon belt drive, it has a standard chain drivetrain on a derailleur (still powered by a Bosch Performance Sport motor!), which requires only slightly more maintenance than a belt drive. Also, the front fork doesn't fold, which makes it a little more difficult to transport and store.

However, in all of the important ways, it feels like a Tern—small but still a surprisingly powerful and capable cargo ebike. I can fit it in my car. I took my 40-pound 5-year-old to and from school every day on this bike for two weeks, and both of us loved how much faster and more maneuverable it is. The riding position is much sportier than the sit-up position on the GSD and HSD. It's also less than 6 feet long—shorter than the average road bike. This is the bike you get if you have space and money for only one bike that won't be out of place commuting to work as well as picking up groceries at the farmer's market on Saturday mornings.

★ Alternatives: A tiny cargo bike is my kryptonite; I will always be seduced by the promise of convenient city compactness. A slightly pricier option is the Tern HSD (9/10, WIRED Recommends), which has the upgraded belt drive and internal hub.

The pricier option still is the R&M Tinker2 ($6,129), which I recently had the opportunity to take for a day trip around Austin, Texas. It's tiny, but comes with all the goodies—an Enviolo hub and a Bosch 545-Wh Powerpack and Intuvia display. It was awesomely maneuverable around the crowds at the waterfront and let me clock up to 18 mph when I took too many pictures and lost the rest of my group. I still think about this bike daily.

We try a lot of cargo ebikes. Here are a few others:

If you're planning on riding the cargo bike with your children, you need a bike with disc brakes, and preferably hydraulic disc brakes. These specialized brakes slow you down by pinching calipers on a steel disc, which stops the axle shaft from rotating. Cheaper rim brakes simply squeeze the rim and stop with friction. You do not want to be coasting downhill toward an intersection with your child on the back, unable to stop.

If you get a longtail ebike, don't forget to factor in the price of accessories. Right now, my children are 7 and 9. If they're on a longtail, I usually use a version of monkey bars with foot pegs for the 6-year-old and a Thule Yepp seat for the 4-year-old to keep them both safely aboard, and a front basket is necessary for backpacks and groceries. Be sure to get a sturdy double kickstand, which will keep your kids safe while loading and unloading. I like this one.

You should also check if you have a local family cargo bike group in your neighborhood or at your local bike shop. It's a great way to test rides, find other families to ride with, and even pick up used bicycles if a new one seems out of your price range.

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