Aug 18, 2023 3:00 AM

The Best Electric Cargo Bikes for Families

We’ve spent years riding and testing extra-large ebikes, perfect for hauling both your little ones and groceries around town.

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Featured in this article

Specialized Globe Haul ST electric bicycle

4 / 10

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. Gas prices are rising. Earth is on fire. And 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.

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 go 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. We've reviewed ebikes for a few years here at WIRED. I regularly tote kids, groceries, and bags of who-knows-what around town 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 August 2023: We added the Specialized Globe Haul ST, the Lectric XPedition, and the Aventon Abound. We also updated links and prices.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you'd like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Photograph: Urban Arrow
The Very Best Family Bike
Urban Arrow Family Electric Cargo Bike
The two electric cargo box bicycles that I've tested, the Urban Arrow Family (8/10, WIRED Recommends) and the R&M Load (8/10, WIRED Recommends), are both top of the line. It just depends on what characteristics you're looking for.
There are three reasons the Family is my favorite. First, the box sits slightly lower, on the bottom of the front chassis instead of the top. A lower center of gravity makes it easier to steer. It also 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.
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; if you want something with a larger capacity, you might want to consider the Packster or the Transporter. However, as a smaller person, I find the Load to be comparatively easier to ride and more maneuverable.
$7,999 at Propel Bikes
$6,999 at Clever Cycles
Photograph: Specialized
The Most Versatile Ebike
Specialized Globe Haul ST
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's 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 disturbingly affordable Rad Power RadRunner 2 ($1,249). It's worth noting here that Rad Power has recently undergone 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.
$2,800 at Specialized

Photograph: Stoker
Best Longtail
Xtracycle Stoker
Disclosure: At 5'2", I do not fit every cargo bike on the market, and we are slowly adding popular options like the Bullitt bikes and Xtracycle bikes as my taller testers allow. Gear editor Michael Calore recently tried the Xtracycle Stoker, which can accommodate up to two adults and all their gear comfortably. It comes standard with cargo nets and rear foot pedals, while accessories like a front basket or handrails are sold separately. It’s a bigger and more versatile option for people who need to tote gear and other adults around, not just kids.
You do need to be at least 5'6" to ride the Stoker comfortably, which makes me jealous for one specific reason—the traditional, sturdy Chromoly steel frame and larger 24-inch wheels make it look perfect to for (extremely gentle and short?) bikepacking trips. The Shimano EP8 mid-drive motor and 630-Wh battery lasts about 45 miles on a charge, which is more than enough for a nice weekend away in the woods.
$4,999 at Xtracycle
Photograph: Michael Calore
Most Affordable Bike
Aventon Abound
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 ($123) 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: The most direct competitor to the Aventon is 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, and also comes with a huge array of proprietary accessories. The only bad part? It's so popular that it constantly goes in and out of stock.
$1,799 at Aventon

Photograph: Tern
My Own Bike
Tern GSD S00 LX
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.
$6,799 at Clever Cycles
$6,799 at Fly Rides
Photograph: Bunch Bikes
My Family's Favorite Bike
Bunch Bikes The Original Electric Cargo Bike
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.
$5 at Bunch Bikes

Photograph: Tern
The Most Versatile Ebike
Tern Quick Haul P9
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 ($5,799), 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.
$3,299 at Bike Attack
Photograph: Cero
More Bikes We Like
Honorable Mentions
We try a lot of cargo ebikes. Here are a few others:
Cero One for $3,799: The standout feature on the Cero One (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the customizable cargo system. You can buy the bike fully loaded from Cero, or customize your own carriers to its bolt system rather than buying only proprietary peripherals. However, it looks unbalanced next to the new Quick Haul.
R&M Load for $9,599: We loved the Load (8/10, WIRED Recommends) when we tried it several years ago. However, the price has risen significantly since then.
Tern HSD for $4,299: This is the Tern model that's between the GSD and the Quick Haul; smaller than the GSD but with the folding fork and carbon belt drive. If I had only one kid, I would have bought this bike.
Bike Friday Haul-A-Day for $1,995: This is one of the smallest, lightest, and most affordable electric cargo bikes that's capable of carrying two kids. However, I would issue a caveat for any smaller parents whose cargo might outweigh them; I almost fell down with my kids on it because the balance was so heavily weighted toward the back of the bike. My much-heavier husband did not have a problem.

Photograph: Urban Arrow
What Bike Type Is Best for You?
Longtail or Front Box?
Electric cargo bicycles come in two different configurations. The first are front-loader bikes, also known as bakfiets or Long Johns, that 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 also 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 doesn't particularly feel stable at slower speeds.
If you're a smaller or lighter person, you may prefer a midtail or a longtail, which maneuvers 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.
Photograph: Rad Power Bikes
A Few More Pointers
Make Sure You Have Disc Brakes!
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 4 and 6. 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.

Adrienne So is a senior associate reviews editor for WIRED, where she reviews consumer technology. She graduated from the University of Virginia with bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish, and she previously worked as a freelance writer for Cool Hunting, Paste, Slate, and other publications. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

Senior Associate Reviews Editor

TopicsShopping parenting e-bikes buying guides electric bikes

The 16 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride

We tested the best electric bikes in every category—commuting, mountain biking, foldable, cruisers, and more.

Adrienne So

The Best Coffee Subscriptions to Keep You Wired

These services deliver freshly roasted, delicious coffee picks right to your door—each with its own twist.

Jaina Grey

20 Amazon Prime Perks You Might Not Be Using

Your membership gets you more than free two-day shipping. Here’s what you may be missing ahead of Amazon Prime Day 2024.

Louryn Strampe

The Best Reusable Water Bottles