There is a lot of talk about cargo bikes or cargo bicycles, especially in these recent times, when the costs of fuel have skyrocketed and the environment itself is desperately asking us for a break, but are we sure to know all its advantages and especially how to choose the one that best suits our needs?

To try to answer the many questions that were spinning around in our head and that probably also crowd your minds, we got a hand from someone who knows cargo bikes well, not only because they use them every day, but also because they produce them. This resulted in this interview with Riccardo Tavernari, inventor and builder of Irena Bike, Italian cargo bike simple and reasonably priced, which we hope will be useful in choosing your first cargo bike.

What is a cargo bike and what are the advantages of choosing it as a means of transport?

The cargo bikes are bicycles specially built to carry goods, so with a large loading surface. They were born in the early 1900s and had a great spread between the 1930s and 1960s, when they were supplanted by mass motorization. They were also very common in Italy; in Milan, the Doniselli factory was producing the so-called "Furgoncini," huge three-wheeled bikes with a front load, which were used for everything, from ice cream to the transport of windows or telephone company ladders and also existed in a tandem version.

Their diffusion resumed in the early 2000s when new models were developed, more modern and light compared to those of the past, destined for daily transport.

The advantages of using a cargo bike are multiple: compared to a standard bike, there is much more space to load children and/or groceries, comparable to a small car, but without having to pay for road tax, insurance, fuel and going crazy in traffic or looking for parking.

The choice of a pedal vehicle also promotes physical activity and therefore, also results in health and good mood, and with the development of pedal-assisted versions, the kilometric range of use is decidedly extended, making it a concrete alternative to buying a second car for the family.

Electric or muscle cargo bike?

It depends on where you live and what you want to use it for. If I need to move within any city in the Po Valley, a muscle cargo bike is just fine, as it is designed specifically not to need an engine in flat conditions; conversely, if I live on a hill or need to travel long distances, I would probably be better off investing in an electric cargo bike.

Two or three wheels?

The fundamental thing to know when approaching the world of cargo bikes is that there are 3 main types, each with its pros and cons. To find out which bike is right for you, it is best to try, if possible, all three of these models:

Trike

This is a three-wheeled bike (two at the front and one at the back) with a front load and a turning cart, very spacious and stable when stationary, but not very agile in curves.

Long-John

It is a two-wheeled bicycle with a central load located beyond the handlebars, very fast and similar to a regular bike because it can lean into curves, but it is longer.

Long-Tail

It is a two-wheeled bike with an elongated rear frame, where you can place the load, even more similar to a standard bike, shorter, but less spacious and with the limitation of not allowing you to see any passengers, a feature that is possible with the other two types.

Cargo bike price: how much should I budget for?

Cargo bikes have different models, some very simple and others that are a real concentrate of technology. Prices range from 1000 euros for the simplest muscle cargo bikes, up to 6000/7000 euros for the most advanced and accessorized electric cargo bikes, but which should be remembered, still cost much less than a new car, both in terms of purchase and maintenance!

Deep discount cargo bikes: is it worth saving?

Rather than the figure itself, it would always be better to look at value for money. To save money, you have to be willing to limit your expectations in terms of technical characteristics, otherwise it is likely that savings were made on the quality or production costs, and still making them payable by others (dumping, pollution, etc.).

Cargo Bike Family: what are the best models for transporting children?

More or less, all models offer the possibility of carrying up to two children, but the bike must be comfortable also for the person who will drive it, which brings us back to the importance of conducting a test-drive on the three main models we talked about earlier.

After that, it will be necessary to evaluate the presence of any accessories such as the winter canopy, useful in case of rain, but also particularly to protect from cold wind passengers who, unlike the parent, do not get warm by pedaling. A gem in this area is the universal adapter for the egg, a cushioned frame that allows you to transport children in their egg shape until they are 3 months old, finally freeing the parent from the use of the car for every move and offering the child the opportunity to enjoy long naps.

Cargo Bike for dogs or trailer?

Again, there is no universal answer, it is essential to do a test also to see where our furry friend feels more at ease. Trailers in general are comfortable because you can remove them, but are heavier to tow: two extra wheels that create friction make a difference. They are also less maneuverable compared to a cargo bike and they never allow visual control of the transported goods.

Have you ever made a trip on a cargo bike? Can you tell us how it went?

I have taken several trips on a cargo bike, more or less long and I have to say that I found the same advantages that there are in urban areas, especially in terms of capacity and comfort for children's naps. The only problem arises if you have to take a train; usually they let you on board, you just have to ask, but carrying a long-john up and down the stairs of the stations is not very comfortable.

If you want some performance data we can compare the average speeds in the urban area of my cargo (12 km/h) and my city bike (14 km/h). Considering that the cargo circulates half of the time with 20kg of girl and accessories on board, there is not a great difference.

Now that you know everything about cargo bikes, are you ready to turn towards a more active and greener lifestyle?If you are interested in receiving other content like this from the Cyclando Blog about the world of cycling, cycle tourism, and sustainable holidays, sign up for our newsletter!