The best electric cargo bikes 2024

The electric cargo bike is a very popular solution for transporting children to school, shopping or parcels. Scooter, two-wheeler, longtail... cargo bikes can take many forms. However, the principle is always the same: the front or rear wheel is further away than on a conventional bike, to make way for a cargo box or XXL luggage rack.

In addition to being an ecological and economical means of transport, electric cargo bikes have the advantage of familiarizing children with two-wheeled activities from an early age. They adopt reflexes that are essential to tomorrow's world, such as using a bike rather than a car whenever possible. As you can see, at Upway, we're all for electric cargo bikes!

But what's the difference between a two-wheeler and a three-wheeler? Which cargo bike for 2, 3 or 4 children? What's the best electric cargo bike? In this article, we explain everything you need to know about these urban electric bikes , so popular with families.

The term "cargo bike" actually covers a multitude of very different electric bike models. To help you choose the right electric cargo bike for you, we present the three most common types in this section.

The electrically-assisted two-wheeled cargo bike, also known as the long john, rides on two wheels, just like a conventional bicycle. The difference is that the front wheel is particularly far forward in relation to the rider. This creates space for a cargo box between the front wheel and the rider.

Two-wheelers are ideal for families, since they can accommodate 2 to 4 children, depending on the model, when fitted with a body with seats or a bench. They're also very popular with delivery drivers, as the two-wheeler isn't much wider than a conventional bike. So it's easy to maneuver around town on cycle paths.

This is all the more true given its low center of gravity. This is due in part to the different wheel sizes. The front wheel is smaller, so that the weight of the body sits closer to the ground.

Another advantage of the two-wheeled electric cargo bike is that it's not very wide (around 65 cm with the box, i.e. not much wider than a traditional bike without the box): it's easy to store. Once the cargo box is removed, it slides easily along the garage wall or into a bike park.

The disadvantage of these two-wheeled electric bikes is that they are difficult to handle when stationary. You have to keep your balance when waiting for the light to turn green or at a stop sign, for example. Its length of well over 2 meters - often 2.50 m and more - also means that it has to be kept outside, incompatible with a bike room and unable to fit in an elevator.

As you may have guessed, the major difference with the two-wheeler is that it has not 2 but 3 wheels. This feature obviously makes it much more stable and easier to handle at standstill or at low speeds.

In this configuration, the cargo box is positioned between the 2 front wheels. More balanced, it can be much larger, which multiplies its capacity. A scooter can carry up to 4 or even 6 children ! A real school bus, perfect for large families.

Obviously, all this translates into a much wider electric cargo bike , on the order of 75 to 90 cm. A scooter bike is therefore harder to park, and won't fit through conventional doors.

Another point to bear in mind: adapting to a 3-wheel electric bike requires a bit of practice, especially when negotiating bends and narrow cycle paths. However, you should be aware that some so-called " pendular " models are equipped with front wheels that bend in corners to make the operation easier.

And in any case, don't worry: the powerful hydraulic disc brakes will stop you in all circumstances.

We're turning things upside down with "longtail" cargo bikes . These electric bikes are ideal for carrying heavy loads or 1 or 2 children.

On these models, the front wheel is in its usual position. The rear wheel, on the other hand, is further back than on a conventional bike. The behavior of this transport bike is thus very similar to that of a conventional bike, since the handlebar-fork-wheel axis is preserved, and the wheel size is often similar (between 24 and 28 inches).

The load carried is placed on an extended rack, above the wheel. This shifts the center of gravity upwards compared to a two- or three-wheeled cargo bike. On the other hand, some models try to lower the center of gravity by reducing the size of the rear wheel (20 to 24 inches), making it more stable to ride with children on the back.

Also note that several formats exist for different wheel sizes, changing the philosophy:

• Large front wheel, small rear wheel (e.g. O2feel Equo): conventional bike handling, but low center of gravity under load;
• Small wheels front and rear (example: Moustache Lundi 20): less maneuverability but very low center of gravity for stability;
• Large front and rear wheels (example: Yuba Mondo): approaches the maneuverability of a classic bike, but with a very high center of gravity, more suitable for occasional transport.

Small downside: while parents have good reason to choose this type of electric cargo bike for family use, they won't be able to keep a constant eye on their children, and the latter are less well accommodated. What's more, they're not as well protected from the elements as they would be in a two-wheeler or three-wheeler with bubbles or canopies.