Tern team member and toddler mum, Alison, shares her experience as a cargo bike rider and owner in bustling Taipei City—and how it’s much easier (and a whole lot funner) than what one might think!
Living in Taipei City has its many perks, and somewhere near the top is the city’s very affordable public transportation system, which my husband and I happily took advantage of for many years. But like many parents out there, we eventually pulled the trigger on a car when our daughter was born. And I must admit, logistics-wise it did make things a heck lot easier. Not having to lug a stroller plus a big diaper bag through crowded stations and onto even more crowded buses and metros was a huge relief.
But more often than not, our trips were on the shorter side—daycare drop-offs and pick-ups, grocery runs, playdates, and visits to the library were all within an 8 km (5 mi) radius. It didn’t make sense to drive, especially when parking is so scarce and expensive within the city. Public transport was also not the most convenient for impromptu ice cream stops and hopping from one park to another.
Luckily for us, the stars aligned and I ended up working for a company that makes cargo bikes—that is, bicycles especially designed and built to transport heavier loads, including passengers, pets, and groceries. Long story short, I ended up with a Tern Short Haul compact cargo bike, and now it’s become my go-to for short, quick trips around the city.
So, how easy is it really to ride and own a cargo bike? Here’s my take on some common questions you may have.
Are cargo bikes hard to ride?
Coming from just your average mom who casually rode city bikes for fun, a cargo bike is NOT hard to ride! Sure, they may seem big and unwieldy at first, especially for someone like me who at 160 cm (5’3”) is…um…always looking up. But really, they just take some getting used to. Front-loading bakfiets (box bikes) often use linkage steering which can feel less intuitive, but with rear-loading cargo bikes like the Short Haul, steering is similar to conventional bikes and the ride is super easy to master. Having a more compact design also helps—being a short-tail cargo bike with a rear rack that fits 1 smaller passenger, the Short Haul is incredibly nimble and easy to maneuver, even when space is tight. Plus, the low center of gravity gives it a very stable feel, making it reassuring even when I’m carrying a squirmy kid.
Overall, the learning curve for riding a well-designed cargo bike is pretty short, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll be zipping around just like you would on any other bike.
OK. But what about hills or extra-heavy loads?
We live in a relatively flat area, and my heaviest load is usually no more than 25 kg (55 lb) on days when I carry my 3-year-old, her school gear, and some groceries. So we do fine getting around with just a pedal-powered cargo bike. But if your commutes include climbing hills or Costco shopping hauls with kids in tow, an electric cargo bike with a powerful motor to assist your ride like the Tern GSD is the way to go. That extra boost of power makes carrying heavy loads uphill a breeze, even for smaller riders.
Are cargo bikes hard to store?
When possible, storing your cargo bike indoors is the best option to protect it from the elements and bike thieves. If you live in a spacious, double-garage home, cargo bike storage will likely not be an issue for you. But if you’re an apartment-dweller like me with very limited space to work with, storing a cargo bike will require careful planning and choosing the right bike.
Front-loading cargo bikes, with their spacious cargo boxes up front, tend to be longer and wider, making them more suitable for those who have a shed or garage. Rear-loading cargo bikes, while less bulky, can still take up a lot of horizontal space in your home with an extended tail for carrying cargo and passengers. This is where cleverly-designed compact cargo bikes like the ones from Tern shine. They’re similar in length to a regular bike, but can be flipped upright to roll and park vertically. This basically allows the bike to fit in all sorts of tight spaces—in the elevator, narrow hallways, or the corner of your laundry room. Thanks to this space-saving feature, the footprint of these cargo bikes is reduced to the size of a mere potted plant, making them easy to park and store indoors.
Are cargo bikes easy to maintain?
Maintaining a cargo bike is fairly straightforward, much like a regular bike. Basic upkeep to keep things running safely and smoothly, like checking tire pressure and brake pads, cleaning the chain, and lubricating moving parts, is simple to learn and can be easily done at home. In fact, I learned how to do all this from watching videos online (and there’s plenty of ‘em!). But if you prefer to read about them, here are some helpful how-to articles to get you started:
As for how often these tasks should be performed, it really depends on how frequently you're using your cargo bike, and the types of loads you carry. If you use your cargo bike daily to haul kids and heavier loads, a good rule of thumb is to check your tire pressure at least once a week, and to replace your brake pads every few months or when they start to wear down. Clean your cargo bike (including the chain) when it’s visibly dirty, and lube the chain after your bike is clean.
It’s also important to set up a maintenance schedule with your cargo bike dealer. The experts there can help evaluate your bike’s condition, carry out tune-ups, replace worn or damaged parts, and check for software updates or assess battery health in the case of electric cargo bikes. For more information on maintenance schedules for electric bikes and non-electric bikes, check out this article.
Cargo bikes sound great. How do I get started?
The key to finding a cargo bike or cargo eBike that suits your riding style and needs is visiting your local bike shop. There, you’ll be able to ask questions, receive expert guidance, and test ride a variety of cargo bikes to see which one best fits you and your family. If you’ve never visited a bike shop before and are unsure of what to expect, don’t worry—here’s a nifty article that covers questions you may have about bike shops to help you prepare for your visit.
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