Testing a cargo e-bike as your everyday vehicle

We know cargo bikes are great for carrying stuff. But how are they as, you know, regular bikes?
After my last video, in which I tested an e-cargo bike's hauling capabilities, I thought it would be useful to see if you can use a cargo bike for regular, everyday bike things to see if it can function as your main transportation option.
Big thanks to Riese & Muller for loaning me this bike (and thanks to local bike shop Power in Motion for their support as well), and for sponsoring bike month here on Shifter. Their unconditional support - they had no say in the content of these videos - helps keep this channel going, so please check them out. This isn't intended to be a review of this bike, but if you're curious, I’m riding the Riese & Muller Load 75: www.r-m.de
Thanks also to Maddy Novich, also known as Cargo Bike Momma on Instagram: @cargobikemomma
0:00 Introduction
1:04 Challenge 1: Long commute
3:12 Challenge 2: Pleasure ride
3:56 Challenge 3: Busy Roads
7:15 Challenge 4: Off-road
8:47 Challenge 5: Ice-cream ride
9:22 Challenge 6: Pub
9:59 Challenge 7: Parking and storage
11:22 Challenge 8: Everyday errands
12:31 Challenge 9: Fitness
14:18 Challenge 10: Making your life better, with special guest Maddy Novich
#cycling #bike #commuting
Big thanks to Two Wheel Gear for being Shifter’s bag and pannier sponsor. Not only are their products great, but they are also amazing people who care deeply about urban cycling. They support me, so please support them: www.twowheelgear.com/
Buy my book Frostbike: The Joy, Pain and Numbness of Winter Cycling: rmbooks.com/book/frostbike/
I don’t really do proper product reviews, but here are some products that I’ve tried on this channel that I like. (Of course you don’t need anything fancy to ride a bike, other than a bike, but these are Amazon affiliate links, and I get paid a small commission if you buy them 😉)
• Here's the winter bike I'm riding these days: bit.ly/2PhqUqF
• Cliq Smart Bike Light (nice rear brake light): amzn.to/39lfqwo
• RedShift Acrlight Smart LED Pedals (clever lights for your pedals): amzn.to/3NL1Npg
• Aftershokz Titanium bone-conducting headphones (if you want to listen while you ride): amzn.to/3e9Tofa
• JBL CLip 4 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker (for your party-pace group rides): amzn.to/3pcMLPm
• Crane Bicycle Bell (the ding is sublime): amzn.to/3OwfZCu
• Ibex Merino Wool clothing (good for summer and winter): bit.ly/3xXkbEd
• Bicycle Cargo Net (why did it take so long for me to buy one of these?): amzn.to/31s1Ovu
• Vaude Cover II Rain Poncho (for higher-end, try Cleverhood or People’s Poncho): amzn.to/3jLkift
• Kryptonite U-Lock (your bike is going to get stolen eventually, sigh, but at least make it hard): amzn.to/3tPWcGi
• Peak Design phone case (the one I use, paired with the Peak Design phone mount): amzn.to/3HGM0FU
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[@williamdixon4936]

When I watch these videos, I imagine 80% of the car traffic replaced with copies of you on your bike and realize how much better of an environment that would be for everyone.

[@tay-lore]

It would particularly be a better environment for the environment!

[@PeterSdrolias]

Everyone would be much happier.

[@tconnolly9820]

Also on a powered bike like that, it will cope with wet and windy weather better than an ordinary manual bike. Pull on a good quality bike poncho and you are protected from the rain and unlike the problem I found when I used a bike poncho with my manual bike, the powered e-bike will push you forward effortlessly into any headwind. On my manual bike I found the additional wind resistance cycling into a strong headwind to be very hard work and it was mostly easier to just not wear it because of that.

[@Ilander86]

@@tconnolly9820 it will sap the battery and lower your speed, but yeah, electric bikes can handle a headwind. If you're riding with a headwind, the limits on ebike power in the USA and Europe do make themselves known, so I will typically drop mine into a lower assist setting and aim for a slower speed, rather than trying to beat Mother Nature. Range anxiety is real on a 70 lb/ 30 kg bike!

[@tconnolly9820]

@@Ilander86 Yes, of course the more resistance you face the higher the drain will be on any battery. Get into your car if you have one and you will use more fuel too driving into a high headwind. The same with hills. Good quality current generation batteries in both car's and bikes are appearing to be very resilient. I'm a 2m tall and 120kg man. I know just sitting on any e-bike is going to immediately reduce it's expected range dramatically from the official specs. If I buy a bike with a 100km range in its eco mode, I'll be expecting that to drop by at least 30km when I sit on it. You gotta be realistic. I'm in the market for an e-bike in the foreseeable future and I'm checking out the much reduced and limited selection of bikes in frame sizes I would be comfortable in without doing an impression of Krusty The Clown on something way too small. I'm looking at higher powered batteries with longer range for those reasons. I've had a combined weight of 230kg between myself, bike and accessories, trailer and cargo on pedal power only. Add the boost I could get from an e-bike on its lowest power level of 60% assist and that alone would be a huge increase in my ability to propel almost a quarter of a tonne with a lot less effort. The same riding into a hail storm wearing a bike poncho. Although if the wind is still blowing from the same direction on the return journey wearing that poncho, I'll be able to turn the motor off and pedal myself home with little effort being pushed home like a sail in the wind. Glass half full or glass half empty. I know which one I see.

[@cargobikeshark]

As a very happy owner going on 3+ years of this bike’s smaller cousin the R&M Load60, I really appreciate this video and perspective. If one is considering this bike the ability to conveniently park at home and easily grab it for any ride is indeed imperative. The slightly larger road presence, coupled with being full suspension and class 3, definitely allows me to feel safer taking the line when necessary. I’ve had this bike fully loaded (close to 200 lbs, not including myself) and can power up hills pretty easily when needed. Parking at some destinations is occasianally more challenging, but you learn quickly how to adapt. I’ve got the closable/lockable front cargo box which allows one to use this exactly like a car/van by making multiple stops along the way. I keep multiple locks for different levels of security depending on the situation, trigger an alarm when needed, plus having insurance helps with peace of mind. I hope this is helpful to anyone considering ditching the car for a cargo bike. Cheers!

[@derekjolly3680]

This monster is expensive enough and valuable to the individual enough, that I guess you'd really have to have multiple locks and an alarm for it.

[@lighthunter1980]

​@@derekjolly3680I have insurance for mine. Lock is important but no lock is 100%.

[@cargobikeshark]

@@Animalstyle69 In the Pacific NW, USA waterproof shoes replace sandals. Rain pants replace shorts. Pull on the rain shell/hood and it's still better than sitting in traffic.😉

[@Madamoizillion]

​@@lighthunter1980 Just make sure to read your insurance terms. Mine will only cover theft if the bike was locked to a *solid, immovable object*.

[@theMusicWellOrg]

E-bike happiness: When it's safest "taking the lane" at a large stop light - Ebike tip for new riders not mentioned - - put it in a comfortable, powerful start gear and - THIS is the time to use some battery: put it in "turbo" /top assistance. If you have the right of way, size up the monster truck in oncoming left turn lane & communicate - they have been surprisingly polite & legal to me on a bike! (and I'm NOT even a 25-year-old supermodel) Communication is key. Excellent channel & style!! Thanks for her perspective from cargobikemama!

[@celo2043]

To anyone riding a bike in traffic, get a mirror for your bike! It makes you aware of whats coming behind you the whole time and makes your ride wayyy safer! Definitely worth the few bucks you're going to spend on it!

[@PedalsNPetals]

They have rear cameras too

[@kitchencarvings4621]

Agreed! It's a must-have. I let my son borrow my helmet with a mirror for his 17-mile bike commute, and he lost the mirror. I now feel blind without it. I almost can't stand to ride without it, so I'm replacing it as soon as possible. It makes a huge difference.

[@alannatdeboer]

I love this! We ordered an Urban Arrow to replace our second vehicle and shuttle kids to and from daycare/school. Largely influenced by you, NJB, and some friends who recently got e-bikes. We should be getting it any day now and I'm so excited. I've been seeing more and more cargo bikes around our city. Maddy's perspective is so great (I started following her when we made the decision to get the bike) - no one bats an eye when I take my Outback down the street to pick up that one item I forgot at the grocery store and I certainly do not need that much car for that errand. ;)

[@een_schildpad]

Congrats on the new bike!! I can vouch for it being fun; our family loves getting around that way :-) Though there are some downsides I've found: even our youngest has opinions on directions and best routes to take now and we end up going out so much more often because it's easier and more enjoyable than parking/car seats/buying gas 😂

[@devinsilvernail]

I switched from a traditional bike to an e-bike in 2019 and then an e-cargo Urban Arrow Family in 2020 for everyday use and will literally never go back. Once my kid is too big to want to be hauled around by dad, I'll likely switch to an e-cargo with a smaller capacity like a Babboe, but, as someone who can't drive, the e-cargo has given me the closest approximation to the freedom of mobility experienced by North American car drivers that I've ever had. Thanks for all the videos, Tom!

[@humanecities]

My friend’s dad rides a cargo bike to work everyday and loves it! He usually takes his dog with him in the front, too - which adds cuteness points! I’ve ridden in the front of it. While not comfy, it was fun seeing the city that way - even as an adult!

[@wa11ie]

i love when people put their dogs on their cargo bikes! it’s really adorable

[@Shifter_Cycling]

I should have tested the dog-carrying capabilities of this bike.

[@PedalsNPetals]

I'd feel too big and annoying to others

[@tompaah7503]

Using this specific bike, a Load 75, for my daily commute of 65 kms. Works really well, now at 16.000 kms without any technical problems (besides slipping off a bridge into a creek on my way home from the bike store, the first paint scratches always hurts the most). Mostly I don't carry lots of stuff and I don't have kids but just riding a massively big bike is like this is so much fun. And - as a bike advocate - the bike is really a conversation starter. People are curious and the massive carrying capacity is a argument in itself as to why doing stuff with bikes is possible.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Amazing, thanks for sharing.

[@ambiarock590]

I think ebikes are amazing machines to alleviate the downsides of car dependency. I love my Magnum Cosmo X and I use it a lot. I've put over 2k miles on it since getting it in the spring. I've ridden a manual bike to work in the winter, but I do plan on getting a studded tire for me ebike so I can keep trekking through the snow in the winter. I love the idea of cargo bikes. They are a great tool to get around car dependency and start to enjoy the ride itself and not just the destination.

[@fallenshallrise]

Great video. My favourite points were: 1. If you love doing something and want to do it more keep it close at hand, there should be no steps before you can get up and go. 2. Electric bikes do encourage more extra trips when the weather is nice and longer rides in general so if you don't ride daily you'll probably break even on the fitness side. 3. The bike industry has invested a lot of time and money into making the perfect bike and tire combination for every slight variation of surface material (asphalt, hard pack dirt, slightly wet dirt, mud, gravel, sand, snow) but you don't have to own 6 different bikes if you don't want to.

[@PedalsNPetals]

I got more exhausted riding 20 miles on my E than my short ride on my mountain B lol

[@aarons3008]

Thanks Tom for highlighting what a game changer the cargo bikes can be, I have come to the realization that I really didn't need to own a gigantic pickup truck just to drive around myself and maybe my kids and the odd costco run so I sold my Ford F series pickup and bought a front load cargo bike to replace it and it is working fantastic, we still have my wife's small hatchback for out of town trips but we have easily replaced 2/3rds or more of our regular errands with the cargo bike we are happier the kids love it and have lost a few Lbs to boot!

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Great to hear, and thanks so much for sharing. This kind of thing is inspirational for people to hear. Thanks for the support!

[@rofltehcat]

Some of the advantages brought up are just a "electric bike" thing. I ride an electric bike and it is really great. For example the "owning the lane" effect mostly comes from riding a vehicle with relatively high and steady speed, with decent acceleration, that doesn't slow down or make you struggle. This means there is a predictable flow and cars can drive around you easier, or just stick behind you because you're going 25 km/h in a 30 zone instead of 18 km/h that would invite them to overtake. I have ridden a (non-electric, rented) cargo bike before and found it to be nice to ride and great for transporting the thing that I wanted to transport, but ultimately a bit cumbersome to ride around corners as well as hell to park. I also could not own a cargo bike if I wanted to because parking bikes in the underground (car) parking garage is not allowed by Bavarian state law and a cargo bike would not fit through the "air lock" and corridors to the (badly planned) bike room. If you don't have to ride your kids to school with it, an electrically assisted bicycle and some good bike bags will allow all of this without most of the downsides. I can only recommend it. There are also bike trailers you can use to transport the occasional large item - and most of the time you just ride around without the trailer. "I need this larger vehicle so I can haul stuff" is the quintessential American truck problem, so avoid it: If you actually haul your kids (or dog) around on it, then it is awesome, but don't buy a vehicle that's larger than what you need.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

These are all great points. Thank you for sharing.

[@DavidCruickshank]

"parking bikes in the underground (car) parking garage is not allowed by Bavarian state law" That has to be one of the dumbest laws i've heard in awhile.

[@micosstar]

resse and muller thank you two for sponsoring e-bike shifter month!

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Thank you!

[@shobico8]

Hi Tom, just wanted to thank you! Thanks to your videos, I've been inspired to take up cycling in my city of Philadelphia and it's been a lot of fun! I even got your book from my library and have been really enjoying reading it! Keep up the good work!

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Amazing! Thank you so much. I love hearing about people who have started cycling and are enjoying it. Thank you for the support!

[@granthancock1944]

@@Shifter_Cycling You were a big part of me starting some commutes on my bike as well in Raleigh, NC. Doing 3-4 commutes a week with my bike now around 5 miles each way. I don't love when my bike lane just dashes out, spitting me into traffic at a busy intersection but I've gotten over the hump of anxiety about taking the lane and have come to truly enjoy going by bike and miss it when I drive. Anyway, thanks for the encouragement from a lot of the videos you've made!

[@BartAnderson_writer]

Good balanced report. For some people, cargo bikes are a good fit. The expense, storage and parking are problems as you point out. A regular bike with racks, panniers, baskets, etc. can carry a lot of stuff. That might be a solution in many cases. Less expensive and more flexible.

[@emma70707]

Yeah, if you're bringing a kid/dog or kit (e.g. trades gear) for work around with you at least a couple times a week, a cargo bike totally makes sense. Otherwise, the standard bike is probably suitable since a trailer can be more easily stored separately. Or you could rent a car. 😅

[@JustClaude13]

There are other kinds of cargo bikes that might be a better fit. Mid-tails, long-tails or cycle trucks have a lot of capacity with a shorter wheel base that is easier to maneuver and park.

[@BartAnderson_writer]

@@JustClaude13 , thanks! Glad to see how we're expanding the limits of what we think is possible on a bike.

[@louisjov]

Ironically despite being into urbanism, I am a huge fan if garages. Not for putting your car in, but for working on projects and storing little used items or gear. The beauty of a bakfiets is that if i lived somewhere with good bike infrastructure, I could have a one car garage instead of a two car, and still have plenty of room to put stuff and the bike in the garage

[@MultigrainKevinOs]

We missed a checkbox for Canadian content, can you go camping or haul a canoe with your cargo bike? Fun video Tom, just encouraging anyone to look at their bike regardless of what it is as way more capable than we give them credit for is important. Infrastructure might let us all down but our bikes won't.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Well, I did carry another bike in this cargo bike. Does that count?

[@MultigrainKevinOs]

@@Shifter_Cycling I will take it! It's super versatile, glad you got a chance to showcase it on your channel !

[@I.____.....__...__]

There are foldable canoes/kayaks, so yes, it's certainly possible.

[@LoneHowler]

There's a Canadian company called Wike that makes a canoe trailer. This probably could also tow the canoe but it would be super long and awkward on tight turns

[@T13Nemo]

I got myself Urban Arrow Family almost two years ago. And now I'm almost never ride my regular bike. Cargo bike feels so much better! And you always have an opportunity to make a detour to a store to pick up something for myself or my family. I highly recommend cargo bike to everyone. Have a large dog - cargobike. Love Home Depot trips - cargobike. Have kids - cargobike. Love to party - cargobike your packies to and friends back from the party

[@blores95]

I dunno if I'd ever get one of these kinda cargo bikes, especially cuz my kid is already old is old enough to ride his own bike already and LA probably won't be easy to live car free in for decades, but a mid/long tail cargo bike seems like a good middle ground (station wagon vs minivan comparison) and I feel like that could totally fill 80% of the use-case and be a lot more reasonably priced and easy to maneuver. I like how Shifter seems to cover a lot of angles that aren't usually thought of with urbanism, like limited space/income, family use, etc.

[@714mattman]

A good option might be something such as the Lectric Xpedition which costs around $1400. It you add their large basket on top of the built in rack and XL panniers with running boards on the sides of the rack that gives a ton of storage for around $300 more. All in you are looking at about $1700 plus tax. A lot more people can afford that than these really nice, but pricey cargo bikes that are $5000 and up.

[@jasonschubert6828]

Personally I think if you can afford an electric cargo bike you can probably afford a normal bike as well. I've bought good quality, running steel frame bikes for around $50, and two different bikes gives you two different ways to enjoy riding! 😃

[@fabianbinder3681]

This.

[@SilverScarletSpider]

the addition of electric motors into bikes has been amazing

[@skiergirl4753]

I am a full-time cargo e-bike person living in SLC but Calgary is my home. I haven't had a car in 6+ years. I used a pedal bike exclusively until May 2022. I am not exaggerating when I say that this bike is life changing. I travel to Santa Monica frequently and rent a bike when I am there and love riding there too. Just do it!

[@lighthunter1980]

This is my bike 😃 just came back from a ride to the playground with my kid. Love every mile riding it. So much fun.

[@acassels24]

I commute 30km four times a week on my Load75. I love it. The extra size helps deter cars and I’ve fitted four side lights to the side to aid visibility for cross traffic. Would recommend the abs option. Whilst expensive it negates the risk of locking your front wheel.

[@peter1062]

My main concern would be: Can i park it in a safe way/place without it being stolen? These things are not cheap!

[@SwedeEad]

I've had my eye on this bike for years and that's my biggest concern. R&M bikes are amazing - I I've had a Birdy folding bike for 25 years so I'm a fan already - but cheap they ain't.

[@Newyorker000]

yes! (hi, cargobikemomma's husband here :) - we lock our bikes on the street with Hiploks and motorcycle covers (and airtags). Had a lot of the same anxiety about this when we got our urban arrow 4 years ago, but honestly, if you have insurance and a good lock, (at least personally) i got a lot less nervous and worried and focused more on just enjoying each ride and all the experiences we've had. so if it gets stolen today, yeah that would really suck... but like anything, we'd just have to deal with it and move on. I love the quote: "worrying is praying for what you don't want". in the early days i used to run downstairs with every little sound, fearful that someone was doing something. now, i just don't even think about it anymore. honestly it would be pretty impressive if someone took the time to grind through a $500 lock for a bike with no battery or display unit and then tried to sell it or something. in Europe, where these bikes are way way more common and understood, and it's way easier for thieves to, say, just steal the motor bc they know what they're looking for, and can hop in a van and drive to Poland to resell... that's just not the case in the US.

[@kostyafedot551]

Depends where you are and insurance, of course. I watched recent, same bike report after two years, 11000km use and only outside storage. Bike was still reviewed by its original owner, in Germany. Also, Bosh and some other motors manufacturers have GPS tracking chip build into the motor. If your bike will start to move without you on it, your phone will let you know.

[@MishaDaBear]

A steering lock built into the fork like on a motor bike should be added as that would be a deterrent as those pups are not lite and awkward to carry.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Thanks Jeff! This is great insight.

[@WendyAlmaliotis]

Thank you Tom! Cargo bike momma was spot on!

[@tallonhunter3663]

An important part of the pedal assist is you can turn it off completely for that extra fitness. With a cargo bike, that's a lot of extra weight, meaning if you wish to go touring or bikepacking on a normal bike your fitness overhead is already there. Not into the cargobike, but i have a surly bridge club i am building into a utility monster, def considering a pedal assist conversion to access the hills in town and as a way to get to and from some bikeparks without having to worry too much about the ride home (carless)

[@richardharker2775]

Well presented. I purchased a small cargo bike that can be stored vertically for space reasons but more so because of waiting for total hip replacement. I was able to ride where I couldn't walk. I couldn't do either for a couple of months after. Since recovering from that a few things woke me up to pedal assisted cargo bikes. You can still ride anywhere even if your muscles have been weakened. You can ride to the supermarket door and get a weeks worth of groceries but since having the bike I'm looking for excuses to ride somewhere nearly every day. As my leg improved I started using lower assist levels and noticed a big improvement in muscle strength. Probably because I was riding more often. But also when you mentioned health and fitness there is a vast degree in mental and memory health. I noticed this when sedately sitting at home. I never realised that when cycling your brain is working overtime with awareness and analysing every moment on the bike. To emphasise that try doing some mental math that is a little complicated whilst riding. Thanks again for the video and highlighting things most people don't think about initially.

[@missmolliepink]

Thanks for the e-bike content! I'm fairly recent to the e-bike community having purchased one a year ago.(Partly inspired by videos like yours!) Game changer for my hilly area. At that time, I had not ridden for 30 years and cycling was out of the question given my age and the hills I have to deal with. Now, I ride to a studio about 5 miles away four days a week, go to doctors' appointments, and do most shopping by bike. And most social things like lunch, etc. So much better! I have found that with a robust basket on the front stem and a large collapsable milk carton type basket on the back, I can haul most of what I need. We still use a car for the big Costco run, but TBH, that's partly because there is no safe infrastructure that will get us there on bikes. I think that if people do not need passenger capacity, there are ways of hauling a LOT of kit on a sturdy e-bike and avoiding the parking hassles that come with a box type cargo bike. However, if I didn't have a back up car and needed a ride to get my large dog to the vet, a bakfeit (sp?) would be the way to go!

[@paulaspinall919]

Fab Tom. You are asking so many correct questions which the bakfiets buyer needs to settle in their mind, prior to purchase. I cannot afford one currently and am building a trailer to haul my new dog when he gets tired or we are on busy roads. Riding a bike always puts a smile on my face, rain or shine.

[@Madamoizillion]

I love my cargo e-bike. It's got the rear rack and panniers and front basket, instead of the bakfiets bucket style. I live in a really bikeable city (for the US) and I've been taking it for errands several times a week. In fact, since I brought it home earlier this month, I've put 100+ miles on it and don't think I've taken my car for anything shorter than a 10-mile trip. I was even an extra for a movie this week, part of a "bike floatilla"! Every time I'm out for a ride I actually see tons of cargo bikes (both e and acoustic), so I don't get as many looks as I was worried I would get with this massive and pretty distinct bike (Aventon Abound). I'm excited whenever I see someone else cargo-ing too. It's interesting how you talked about it being easier to take the space in a cargo bike. I didn't realize that it's often a confidence thing to take the lane space (I'm pretty new to the cycling world) but you're totally right. On a normal bike I'd be like, "ooh no, I'm an inconvenience to drivers" but on this bike I just stay in my track and the cars can figure out when to get around me. Again, probably a privilege of living in a very bike-friendly city with generally pretty conscientious drivers. But the overall visual (and actual) weight of my bike does feel a bit more commanding. Very much agree about bike parking. I carry multiple types of locks because I can't always get close enough to the rack/staple/etc. to use my preferred U-bolt. And using the motorcycle cover helps a lot with feeling like my bike will be less flashy when parked and dampen people's curiosity about rooting around in the panniers/etc. Also just important because it's the PNW and I'm riding a bike with electricity. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Oh, the night I was a movie extra, i made friends with one of the other extras and we were able to ride the same way home together for safety. He had kitted out his bakfiets with LED lights, a blacklight, disco lights, and speakers in the back, so we rode home on the quiet streets with Fred Again playing, like a mobile DJ, I felt like one of the cool kids. I need to get some speakers and lights for my bike for silly stuff like that. 😄

[@47f0]

For me, the flexibility of having a cargo trailer was the right choice.

[@RomanDzhanov]

I own a long tail electric cargo bike, and let me just say I put more miles on that bike each week then I do on my car. Living in New York City, a car is way more of a nuisance than I care to admit, and I often find that not only will I get to where I need to go faster on my cargo bike, but I’ll also tend to be in a better mood the entire duration I’m on it with the added benefit that I can carry what I need to with me whenever I need to (within reason). All in all I’m a huge advocate for bikes both electric and naturally aspirated and would love to see more of them on the road. Hoping to upgrade the long tail to a front loader when they become more fairly priced!

[@POINTS2]

Lower-end cargo bikes are available for around $2000 USD. They may be only class 2 and not hold as much, but you can do a lot with it.

[@bioboertuur]

I have the very same bike with a slightly higher speed limit (45km/h limited), but the design doesn't really allow it (37-38 is cruising speed). That's pretty much the only downside I think. I have 14 gears, but never ever use the lower 5 and standard loaded starting is at 7th gear. Different gearing in the front is not possible with the current design. In the back it's allready the smalles cog. We dithced one car for 2 electric bikes, I still have the company van for longer distances or really big loads, but the RM takes the same volume load as my fathers SUV 😀

[@densitydad]

CargoBikeMomma! Awesome, great video!

[@colleenwright-kakkar6384]

I thought all these tests on the bike was well thought out thank you.

[@videomentaryproductionschannel]

This was a great Video Ive been riding E Bikes for over 5 Years now Even got Shot of my Car , Im 66 and it keeps me fit and I can travel for Miles in fact the only thing that holds me back is the Battery but Im working on it Good video

[@elwynanderson9947]

I love bicycling. I complete 5,000 to 6,000 miles a year. It is intriguing to consider using an e-bike like you are featuring. However I live in the southeastern United States. While we have a superb greenway it doesn’t take you to needed destinations. The motorists are hostile. We had three fatalities this past summer. The ultimate challenge is 90 degree (Fahrenheit) temperatures with 90+ humidity. I’m all for the vision you share and I am hopeful we can achieve it but in my circle of friends they accuse me of being delusional. Thank you for sharing this message.

[@gingermany6223]

Speaking of accessibility and deciding to use a bike, I've found that putting my bike between the garage door and a car means I have to move my bike if I want to get the car out and thus I'm more likely to just take the bike.

[@hackman88]

This bike is great for bicycle vlogging! The camera angle covers the rider very well.

[@norgtube]

I've been riding our e-cargo *everywhere* ever since we got it years ago. It's so handy to always extra space available for stuff/people. Your parking problem I just solve by parking it wherever the hell I want, since it's so stable once it's on the center stand. If the bike racks are full, you can just "extend" them :D or just take a car parking spot (drivers love this).

[@PedalsNPetals]

These bikes annoy me Lol. Carry bags or backpack

[@JustClaude13]

The long johns may ride well outside of parking and maneuvering, but we also park and push the bike around. That's why cargo bikes also come in long and mid-tail versions, plus cycle trucks. Something close in size to a regular bike but with a lot of carrying capacity.

[@christophersmith7703]

I store my bikes in my apartment but a cargo bike is too big. Plus, I've learned how to maximize the use of each bike. If I need something that can handle more cargo, I use a car share program, which is rare. Maddy makes a great point, no one in an SUV feels the need to justify using a massive vehicle to go to the grocery store and pick up a gallon of milk.

[@SledgeOfHouseHammer]

Given that Shifter is Canadian, is that hypothetical gallon of milk bagged?

[@aaronlawrence666]

​@@SledgeOfHouseHammerthat would be 3.8 litres of bagged milk🙂

[@I.____.....__...__]

@@aaronlawrence666 Canadian milk bags come in 4L bags (which are somehow divided into 3 smaller bags… 🤔)

[@I.____.....__...__]

I wonder if there's such thing as a foldable cargo-bike. 🤔 If not, then someone should definitely try at least making one as an experiment if not as prototype for a salable product (they could post the process as a YT video like on The Q… 😉)

[@aaronlawrence666]

@@I.____.....__...__ I was referring to the reference to a gallon. A US gallon is 3.8 litres.

[@freemandrew]

Repairs and maintenance are the missing challenge. I know one bike shop near me has a hydraulic lift for these kinds of bikes, which should give you an idea for how different they are to work on. My long tail bike was more manageable, thankfully.

[@ApodyktycznyCzlek]

Shops will adapt to growing number of bakfiets, just the way they did in Germany or Finland

[@jamesnurgle6368]

honestly for a lot of people who only walk from their car to their desk or sofa most days (not a criticism, its easy to get into that routine even for people who would be very active if they had the time) just moving the pedals around while the motor does all the work would be a noticeable improvement. Personally when I got an e-bike for commuting I didn't think I'd do any cycling, but ive gradually found myself pushing harder and harder on my commute and turning the assistance down or off when im cycling around just to explore on my days off.

[@gingermany6223]

I''ve used my RadWagon for a 32 mile round trip commute. It is true the motor really, REALLY helps making a cargo bike a daily use bike.

[@rickute1458]

Ebikes rule ! And a e-cargo double rules ! I got one for $50 and it was the best thing I ever did !

[@velokernow3696]

I have a tern gsd and simply, best bike i ever had. Takes the dog, shopping, me and any other crap i take with me, anywhere, anytime. Even been on a 1000 mile cycle tour with it. Cargo bikes make biking so much more practical!

[@jjliuzo]

I actually feel a good regular ebike with a bike trailer for kids and cargo is much more versatile and cheaper than a cargo bike. If you have a kid it is more comfortable too in bad weather.

[@tconnolly9820]

I have a choice of 3 different trailers and if you only need an actual cargo bike for once or twice a week on average then you can get a very good trailer for €150 +/- that is very flexible and practical. I use a large dog trailer for most of my shopping because it's fully enclosed and will safely carry a huge amount of shopping or anything else.

[@bobbieboothroyd8531]

I remember seeing cargo bike mamma on the Propel channel it was a really good episode

[@discinjohn]

What a wonderful guest surprise! I have been following her instagram account for awhile now 🥰

[@discinjohn]

Additionally I am impressed with your presentation. Thank you, 🙏 I enjoyed your entire video

[@philiprayner]

for taking off road putting on a more aggressive tire and maybe some kind of puncture resistance inserts might help

[@kev2034]

I've got one of those fat tyre e-bikes that folds. It's not great at any one thing but it can fill a lot of regular jobs I'd do with my car like my weekly shop or just commuting. Can haul some stuff on the rear rack and can happily tow a trailer if I need to. I think I prefer my set up just because it does fill a lot of niches and I'm not making big sacrifices in any one direction.

[@louisjov]

Honestly, if i was going to be on a bike in traffic, i would want to be on a Bakfiets. The big bike would make you way more visible, and the electric boost helps to maintain a good speed

[@theepimountainbiker6551]

That guy in the wheelchair, I see it all the time especially in winter. Sidewalks are plowed here in Sudbury so horribly even perfectly able bodied people have a hard time walking on them.

[@juliapoelstra3624]

I'm having some warm weather in Ontario this weekend and it's got me thinking about a little dream I've had in the back of my mind. I wish there were e-trikes in Canada that could carry a little senior citizen (or two) out front, and give them a tour around town. My downtown is relatively flat and there are nice trails with cafes and parks along them

[@Shifter_Cycling]

This exists already! Maybe you need to start a chapter in your city: cyclingwithoutage.ca/

[@juliapoelstra3624]

@@Shifter_Cycling I sent them an email!

[@ExterminatorElite]

R&M has some gorgeous bikes! Unfortunately they are well outside of what I would think of as the consumer ebike market and are well into the enthusiast market. If you're willing to drop at least 5K for something to ride around town- and goodness knows, if you're willing to do that, you'll probably want to take out an insurance policy- then that's awesome. I do hope to see more features that are accessible to more people, because getting something good at an accessible price I think is the biggest barrier for entry, and many folks looking at ebikes in particular might otherwise not ride at all, and that's a real bummer. Great video and feature though, looking forward to more!

[@sreeser3512]

People routinely spend way more than 5K for something to ride around town in my country - often 30-50K. (The US if you're wondering)

[@ExterminatorElite]

@sreeser3512 If you're talking about cars, certainly, but ebikes typically don't have nearly the same kind of accessible financing options. Culturally, while one won't wince at buying a $30K vehicle, a $5K+ bike is just not for general consumption. The $10K+ bikes are for an incredibly thin slice of riders.

[@karlInSanDiego]

Tom, I've been watching and waiting for you to experiment with an e-cargo bike, and we're all fortunate that you managed to use a great one to really understand what the best case scenario could be. As a parallel with cars, we might be tempted to label this particular long john e-cargo bike (bakfiets) an Escalade SUV, ie more than most people can afford or need. In other words excessive. I'd avoid that kind of comparison and really think of this more like a hatchback VW Rabbit in 1976. It's really practical!. And no, it's not as nimble as a single seater go cart or a two seater 1975 Porsche 914, but after you've been able to carry some kids or haul some stuff, you recognize that a compact hatchback (or bakfiets) is an extremely practical transportation tool. I really think the e-cargo bike is going to be the Climate Crisis weapon in transportation. If I asked you evaluate dozens of electric bikes, mopeds, cars, or even trucks including their Life Cycle Assessments which inventory the production, transportation, and operation emissions of a vehicle over its whole lifetime, and give up EVERYTHING else you'll need to be at 2 tons CO2e/year in 2050 under zero carbon, I think more people would eventually decide they want food, clothing, shelter and an e-cargo bike instead of an EV car and gun to fight off everyone who knows you're massively over the planetary limits. A few more thoughts. E-Cargo bikes are also available in e-Cargo trike mode, tadpole and delta. Tadpole should be more stable, though upright trikes are usually too high and tippy to be used at traditional e-bike speed, until you design in tilt, which starts to get complex, but is completely valid. So a good runner up to an e-cargo bike might be an e-recumbent trike (tadpole), with a rear rack, panniers, and optionally, a trailer for more cargo. This is often the recommended cycling choice for older folks who have some health or disability challenges, but they really work well for anyone and everyone as a car replacement. Please go connect with a recumbent trike specialist who carries ICE, TerraTrike, or HP Velotechnic. Discuss that the Load 75 helped demonstrate a valid car replacement because it's world class, and ask them to rent/loan you a world class e-recumbent trike for an extended review. You'll hear or maybe even internalize some self doubt about visibility, and a qualified recumbent sales person should be able to equip you with flag & lighting to curb that initial fear. Then you'll find that magically, most cars give MORE passing room when driving past a trike where there is no separated infrastructure. And despite every person's reaction being that I can't see, you, they actually all saw you and noticed you to come and tell you, "I can't see you." It's a mind fake you need to get over. Of course, integrating with traffic (for a left turn for example) on a low trike can be dangerous, so you cannot ignore your responsibility to make yourself seen, or as some motorcyclists say, ride as if they can't see you, with extra defensiveness in where you place yourself. If the Load 75 seems too unwieldy for parking or integrating with transit, then take a look at e-Muli (German) and similar compact cargo bikes. I built a 6'4" long e-Muli clone with bamboo and I take it on the train in San Diego. If we're truly wanting to imagine a world where public transit covers all our mid to long distances, and micromobility and active transportation covers all the short to mid distances (e-bikes really extending things a LOT), and thus an actual sustainable future where we can shrink transportation emissions to the scale that it becomes the minority contributor rather than one of the largest, then we need to untap the tremendous potential we already have today. Thought experiment: We undergo a terrible global economic meltdown due to Climate Disruption and are scrambling to adapt quickly to a new incredibly low floor in terms of available means to duct-tape and bailing wire our society enough to still provide some mobility. What does is it look like? I'd look to post WW2 Japan where Suzuki and Honda fashioned small engine powered bicycles, or Germany and England where microcars were used to compensate for resource and monetary shortages. Knowing combustion engines are out of the question, they'll be human and battery powered this time. But instead of recovery from a war or single climate induced economic hit, we'll be experiencing multi-generational degrowth required as we struggle to reinvent ourselves as a zero carbon society. IMO, we really need to plan wisely for our austere future.

[@paulaspinall919]

How refreshing to hear someone who has a pretty good handle on the upcoming implications of global warming. You also seem to have a good handle on the variety of options to fit people’s needs and lifestyles. (Muli - excellent flexibility)

[@dncsmedia]

Great Video! Go Maddy (CargoBikeMamma) - 🚲🚲🚲🤙🏼✌🏼❤

[@garyseckel295]

Logic of "Everyday" inclusive of greatly increased usage!

[@donmc1950]

We have a tandem bike which is large like a cargo bike ,so parking it can be a challenge. Other challenges include : turning on gravel in tight turns, cycling in winter.

[@b.griffin317]

Tom: I would love it if you visit Grin Technology in Vancouver. They make e-bike kits and have some industry-leading products like the Base- and Phase-runner controllers, Satiator charger and Analyst computer. You are fairly close.

[@emma70707]

I don't know if that's really his vibe. Grin does make good products, but they're more in the hack your e-bike space and Shifter, being a conventional cyclist most of the time, appears to be in the camp of legal, speed- and powe-limited e-bikes.

[@TiberiusMoon]

What about wheelies tho?

[@drill_fiend1097]

Coolest things about these are they are actually full-suspension. Makes it pretty nice for gravel trails.

[@_bats_]

Maddy's insight about the freedom a cargo bike gives you vs. a regular bike in terms of impulse choices was a part of the conversation I hadn't even thought about. She explicitly mentioned stopping for unexpected errands on other types of trips, but I would add to that the freedom to go to unexpected, more distant locations if you have an electric cargo bike that can help you cover those distances without feeling exhausted. Combine that with the sense of "taking the lane" and increased visibility that the cargo bike affords vs. a regular bike, and I think it's really doing an excellent job of replacing a car for the trips many people make on a regular basis. The biggest cons to me are the price (only when considering them vs. normal bikes, as they're still far cheaper than a car), security issues, and storage challenges.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

The price can seem steep, but check out my last video to see how some people think about the cost when compared to the cost of an automobile. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3Kyf2ZortdqfZIsi=9LTY5Vx8z_b0g3IH

[@80y3r9]

Oo close to 100k!

[@NicolasJamin88]

Great video. Would be curious to know how it handles itself in the canadian winter.

[@tims_builds]

I feel like if someone can only have 1 bike they'd be more likely to get a long tail that is more maneuverable, easier to park, and generally cheaper. I have my nice front loader but I also have a cheap beater commuter bike that I like for many of the reasons you mentioned. It's easier to park, I'm less worried about it (bc it's worth about 10x less) it fits on the train and bus (multi-modal with a front loader is near impossible) and I only ride the cargo bike when I actually need the capacity or I'm going to a cargo bike event or something

[@Ilander86]

What I've learned over that last couple of years is that there are 4 kinds of cargo bike: the regular bike with a rack, the "utility bike," the "long tail," and the box bike. The utility bike is my pick, it fits in my life a little better, with its heavy duty frame built for carrying things and sturdy wheels. I think that, since it's the same length as a regular bike, there's no loss of manuverability. With electric assist, I don't think twice about using it to grab half a cart of stuff at Target, and I have an axle-attached trailer for the kids. Currently, I don't have a lot of choice about having two cars in my city, as I travel daily for work and my wife has no safe bike paths or timely transit routes to her work. That makes storage of a box bike pretty difficult for us. I think it's a non-starter to leave a bike worth more than $1000 USD outside, so it has to share garage space. A longtail might work for us, though. I've been tempted by several models.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

This is great. Thanks for sharing.

[@jamesghansen]

Stairs and trains!!!! I use an electric cargo bike almost everyday and the main things that prevents me from using it more are stairs and trains. We live in a very hilly area and basically there are a bunch of bike routes that have a few stairs, typically at bridges. One or two stairs is manageable, I get the kids and drag it up the stairs backwards, but when there are three or more stairs it’s a no go, the bike is just too big and heavy. In Sydney I need to take the bike on a ferry to cross the harbour, this adds about 30 minutes to a trip into the city, and taking the bike on a boat isn’t easy either. The size and weight also mean I can’t take the bike on trains to explore other areas. It’s okay on a Metro train with large doors and accessible stations with large lifts, but the old main line trains… with double deck carriages, it doesn’t work. The killer are the stations with no lifts, tiny lifts, or height gaps between the train and platform, it’s just too hard. I take my bike on the metro all the time, it’s amazing, and means we can ride the bike to visit friends and family far from where we live, but I’ve never even tried to take the cargo bike on a Sydney Train. So stairs and trains are the main reason why I still own and ride other bikes.

[@rudycandu1633]

I like the idea of a cargo bike. But for me, I find a trailer to be a better option. I don't need to carry much each day. I do have panniers and a basket on the back, a medium size pouch on the handlebars. Because I live alone that often is adequate for light grocery shopping. But when I need to transport more I use one of my bike trailers. I made my first trailer in January. When spring finally came I was able to take it one the road. It was fantastic to pull. Much better than I expected. The only thing I didn't like about it was that it seemed a bit wide for grocery shopping. The inside of the box was 22"x30". I wanted to use less space at the bike rack at the grocery store. So I built my second trailer a bit smaller. 15"x28" inside box dimensions. I like the option of carrying more things than I could with just the bike. When I don't need the trailer I don't have to have the extra weight and wind drag of that extra cargo capacity.

[@emh.1178]

Huge supporter of the ice cream testXD

[@christophergray7982]

My R&M is awesome!

[@karlInSanDiego]

Thank you Tom and Maddy. This is such a hopeful video. People look to fusion or Cybertrucks to save us. But the true salvation looks more like the lovechild of a wheelbarrow and a three speed.

[@micosstar]

e bike is sooo funnnnn

[@robertjosan]

Thank you for the review but does the bike fit a rear hit hitch transport rack like a Yakima since it’s so big and long?

[@bgardunia]

They are so expensive. I love the idea of them. But it is a little hard to justify.

[@donntrotter]

My little one bedroom apartment with a wife and child is why I sold my bakfiets. It was too difficult to maneuver and took up too much of our limited space. In Dallas there are no bike storage basements. In Minnesota that’s what we did. That was seriously the only major drawback.

[@TheNiteinjail]

missed opportunity one of the things a person does on their daily bike is go to the shop (Power in Motion) for some maintenance parts

[@t.j.henderson1234]

Curious to know how the e-cargo bikes fare on the steepest hills. Does the motor carry you up or does the long heavy front end wander too much?

[@snubbedpeer]

There is an expression: lunch box motorist, commuters who drive their car to work with hardly any other luggage than a lunch box. Many could use an e-bike instead and get some moderate exercise at the same time. Using the right tool for the job.

[@genosreviews252]

I’m looking into getting a used bakfiets for taking my spoiled dog on joyrides around the neighborhood. Any suggestions for more budget options?

[@jed7644]

Using a cargo bike as a go-to daily is the rough equivalent to driving an F250 everywhere you go - no? I guess if you’ve got young kids to haul … How-some-ever, I have half a dozen bikes. All of them combined plus the cost of putting them in the condition I wanted them in didn’t just cost less, but _way_ less than any cargo ebike out there. I get Maddy’s point about utility, that’s why my go-to daily is a light flat bar town bike w/ racks & panniers that fold in flat when empty. It’s no road racer, but it is reasonably light, fast & nimble unloaded. The racks & bags allow me to stop on the way back from wherever to grab groceries, or even really heavy stuff like cat food & litter, etc. … & that bike cost $40. I rode it hard for a good year before it got any serious attention, & that was just cleaning & repacking bearings, mounting new tires, brake pads & cables, snugging a few spokes to true the wheels, etc. It gets that level of attention, or an hour or so on a repair stand with some new bits & bobs each year. Aside from that I just ride the thing all over town every day. I realize that suggesting options other than massive spending is a sacrilege, so call me irreverent at the least. … & not poor.

[@nonegone7170]

"Using a cargo bike as a go-to daily is the rough equivalent to driving an F250 everywhere you go - no? I guess if you’ve got young kids to haul" Highly depends on the bike, sure older three wheeled design will feel like the bike equivalent of a tractor, but something like a Bullitt really isn't that different from a normal bicycle, even faster than some normal bikes. And the whole point becomes moot when it's an cargo e-bike to be honest.

[@umamichefd]

I really want to get a nice 2 wheel front load cargo bike, but really can't justify it right now. I get by pretty well with my 4000w mid drive ebike and a kid/ cargo trailer(burley cub x).

[@bow-tiedengineer4453]

"It may feel like you're going off road" *flashbacks intensify* They finally have started to fix the worst bit of local sidewalk, though. There used to be a tilted slab that led to a more than 6 inch lip in the sidewalk, I nearly busted my rim on it once when I forgot about it. Thankfully, they removed the slab and filled it in with gravel, hopefully they'll pour fresh concrete soon.

[@davidbee9563]

I ride normal road bikes but have noticed more cargo bikes lately and the e-assist makes it possible for more people. We have an electric rickshaw at work that I have ridden a few times but it is very big and awkward to use in traffic. I helped a friend who has a Xtra cycle kit which works OK but not great. So I appreciate how a cargo ebike would be a game changer for many. But they are very expensive and the risk of theft is one thing to consider. On our rickshaw, the design and build of the bike itself is good. But they used really cheap components on it. At least not up to the task, so it has suffered problems from using less than $50 drivetrain parts on a $10K bike? Have you noticed this with other models?

[@kennethbradley2222]

As a 70 yot Navy Seal hate cars ride a bike 10 miles a day some days go much farther Americans are lazy thank you for your videos good information

[@Tokoroegao]

In my experience, cars will give you more space if they perceive your bike as bigger. I ride a compact transporter E-bike now - and all of a sudden cars will pass me with more space than before although the bike is not wider in reality.

[@AndrewFrink]

Does anyone make a fat tire e-cargo bike? I'm in the upper midwest, USA. Winter = snow. So wide studded tires would be a must. Or how do normal e-cargo bikes do in the winter?

[@brauljo]

16:13 Very good point.

[@rafealborbon8482]

That is very true. Never let the kids ride their bicycle on the road because There is a lot of people who drive cars they hate people on bicycles because I’ve had many incidents where people try to kill me on the road in New York City. They could have two rows that are empty and they’ll get right behind me. I have a few close calls wear a pick up truck closest mirror on my back And I’ve been pinned between a van and a truck specially cab drivers the only time they wanna be in a rush when you see a bicycle in front of them or the side of them they got a lot of guts because they got vehicles and I only have a pedal so the road is not that safe for kids

[@halleradam]

The wheelchair moment should shock our conscious, and be a call to action.

[@gabrielvizzotto1451]

i love you man

[@definitelynotacrab7651]

So many families could go 1 car and a cargo bike, heres hoping that it becomes more of the norm

[@marcosramos4596]

I'll take one!

[@HilsDinMor7]

12:33 why is there a naked Telly Savalas (reference for the kids 😅) over your right shoulder? Great vid btw.

[@SpotlightGraphics]

nice

[@glennpettersson9002]

That particular bike costs the same as a small hatchback where I live, that said I believe it is part of a much better lifestyle. As someone who plans to retire soon I am not buying another car but rather an E cargo bike, my wife says I'm nuts but you know I think she'd say that anyway.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Check out my previous video where Cailynn breaks down the costs of a cargo bike compared to a car.

[@nonegone7170]

Don't forget there are much, much cheaper options out there that offer 99% the same functionality. R&M is nice and all, but the price sure isn't.

[@kansaIainen]

I once had a tandem bike. Riding it was extremely same as riding usual bike. Ho9w is this cargo bike?

[@TheRickurb]

For road riding, IMO more bike equals more space to mount high vis accessories