Cargo Trike Roundup

Today is a day all about cargo trikes. When I first began to research cargo bucket bikes, I looked into both 2 and 3 wheel options and realized that I would be happy with a trike since I wasn't planning daily cross-city trips. The trike had a lot of good things to offer, like roomier cargo boxes, stability, and less of an athletic aesthetic (though quirky! Yet somehow timeless?). I would have ultimately been happy with either option at the price point I secured, but it ended up being and trike, and I love it!

In my weeks of research, I added the following trikes to my consideration/vision board and instagram follows. 

1. Virtue Cycles

source:

We are kicking off this list with Virtue Cycles because they are the most attainable price point and made in the US, keeping shipping costs easier to swallow. I first came across Virtue Cycles because Whitney Leigh Morris rode one around Venice, CA with her family when they lived there. There aren't quite as many add on features for Virtue Cycle (which can hep in keeping the final cost lower) but it seems like people use toddler seats from other brands in the Virtue Cycle just fine.

Virtue Schoolbus (non electric) $1,999.00
Virtue Schoolbus+ (electric) $2,999.00

2. Christiania 

source:

The Christiana trike is just so beautiful. It comes in many different color options but the black on black just feels so classic to me. They're made in Denmark, the first one being built by the founder Lars for his wife Annie. This one strikes me as the ideal family trike. 

Christiania Classic (non electric) from $3,250.00
Christiania Classic (electric) from $5,450.00 

3) Babboe

source: and source:

Most of Babboe's trikes look both classic and fun, probably due to the curved shape of some of the cargo box and t-shaped handle. They're produced in The Netherlands and have a comparable 2 wheel model as well. Babboe makes a lot of accessories that seem to work well with other brands, like the aforementioned toddler seat. 

Babboe Curve-E (electric) from $3,549.00
Babboe Big-E (electric) from $2,899.00

4. Bunch

source:

The Bunch brand emphasizes inclusion, and are able to customize their bikes to accommodate riders with specific needs. I have noticed on Bunch's instagram that most people posting Bunch Bikes are suburban dwellers, which is awesome! It also makes me wonder if they're a little bigger than other options. The aesthetic is a little more technically oriented than I prefer, but these seem to be great quality bikes making 3-4 kid families very happy. 

Bunch Original Cargo Bike (electric) from $4,965.00

5. Nihola

source:

I had never looked into Nihola until my bike became available for purchase. Nihola is a Dutch company, and I've only found one shop in the US that sells them, located in Sacramento, CA. Nihola's are also inclusive and can be adapted to accommodate a wheel chair in the bucket. The t-shaped handlebars mean that there is a mechanism underneath the bucket that controls the wheels via the handles (which I imagine is true in most of Babboe's bikes), instead of the wider handle that turns the bucket itself (like the Christiania or Bunch bikes). I've realized that this requires that the bucket be a bit smaller to allow for the range of motion in the wheels, but I think that without a motor on the bike, the smaller bucket is just fine for me. 

Nihola Family Bike from $3,999.00

In my research and ingress into the cargo biking world, I have been somewhat discouraged at the lack of affordability, but doubly encouraged by the kindness of cargo bike riders. I would love to see an even more affordable cargo bike and the already awesome community of cargo bikers widen even more. 

(source: for first photo)