The impact of a long-tail cargo bike

The bike company Xtracycle came to me earlier this year with an idea: What might happen if we give a family with young kids one of their long-tail cargo bikes for a trial period? Will it change their transportation habits? Will they have fun? Will they use their car less often? So we lined up some guinea pigs to find out.

#cycling #bikecommuting #urbanplanning

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0:00 Introduction
0:44 Meet our family and their neighbourhood
1:47 Initial impressions, fears and aspirations
3:13 Details on the bike
4:19 Answering your questions
8:07 Summertime with the bike
8:35 Bike's impact on back-to-school
10:30 The limits a city can put on your bike life
11:22 Worth the cost?
12:15 Lasting memory of the summer
12:40 The surprise ending!

[NightWhinnys]

The worst part of our cargo bike experience in the suburbs is the lack of bicycle infrastructure!

[alexanderasdf]

I love how she lights up when you asked her how she liked the summer with the bike. And also her reaction when you told her that she could keep the bike ❤

[gingermany]

Our experience with a long tail cargo bike in the suburbs with kids is similar. I tell people my one regret is I didn’t get one sooner.

[wheelsmsl]

I've been a traditional cycling commuter for the last 20 yrs (until I retired at the beginning of this year). I've worked through all the issues of cycling in mid-west US small cities without much cycling infrastructure, and crazy weather. About two years before retirement I was curious about e-bikes and whether I would use one if I had one. So I decided to spend as little $$ as possible to give it a go and find out. I bought an e-bike conversion kit on line for one of my city bikes and spent a day doing the build. The build experience was pretty straight forward and I quickly was zipping along. I ended up using the bike a lot!! My consumption of gasoline dropped substantially. Commutes to work were so much easier and on marginal weather days....way easier...especially days when strong mid-west headwinds had been a dread. Since retirement I use the bike often (daily) for trips about town and casual rides to get out and about. When asked about the bike and build experience I often say it is my poor mans version of a (pick your EV maker) and I am so glad I gave it a go. Two yrs in and it continues to be great....and yes I still enjoy the traditional bikes frequently. My advice...just go for it!

[sailwithtim]

Ha! I just watched her comment about theft. ALWAYS lock up your e-cargo bike with the very best lock(s). They are VERY expensive. She says that since the bike is “such a big thing” maybe bike thieves won’t go after it. I worked in the bicycle industry for 25 years and my advice to cyclists was (and still is): Lock up your bike with the best lock you can afford. To a thief an unlocked bike is the loot AND the getaway vehicle all in one!!

[garyseckel]

Most beautiful and fun video to watch!
"Being outside and having the children with you."
OH, YEAH!!!
Come on fellow Americans, catch on to
the greatest hobby, and to the most economical family vehicles ever!

[nik]

And just like that another cargo bike momma is born

[ChiWhoBike]

Everyone we talk to with a long-tail cargo bike loves them! But there is one family we know who has a front loader and a long tail, because each parent prefers a different style

[ipskang]

Great video! For anyone curious, the suburban community mentioned is Mayland Heights.

[AdamNoble-Johnson]

This was great, Tom. My Xtracycle longtail has been the best purchase our family has made. Two kids under 7.

[CaptApril]

That Xtracycle allowed her to keep the bike (they're expensive) put them up a big notch in my books but also an excellent marketing move. Word of mouth is still one of the best ways to drum up sales. I met two guys outside MEC in Toronto that had taken theirs across Canada, these would be non-electric versions. Excellent bikes.

[blakewolford]

This seems like the perfect family car replacement! I have a commuter ebike at the moment, but it can hold 1 kid at most, this would be life changing when the family gets bigger

[Johnthetripper]

Fun, that is the thing. If I go to the local hardware store to grab a few things (7Klms) in the car, it's just a thing to do. Get in the car, drive park, shop, drive home etc. If I take my box cargo bike it's an adventure, everytime. Sure it takes longer to prepare and go, but not that much. Then you have the trip which can be a bit of a challenge in the suburbs of Perth as we are not that bike friendly. After a few trips you work out what's best/safest and it all works. I was getting 3 x 20kg bags of gravel the other day, standing at the checkout with my bike helmet in the cart and I could see people looking at me, thinking, how's he gonna carry that! When I was loading up outside (this is a 3 wheel box cargo bike with 100KG capacity) a guy came up and said "Wow, I was wondering how you were gonna carry that". One thing's for sure, you will always get some interest when you cargo bike it. Thanks for the video Tom.

[test]

fun experiment. did dad get involved? thanks!

[sailwithtim]

Changing a rear flat on my Xtracycle is EASY. I lay the bike down on its side. The kid’s foot rest keeps the bike off the ground for easy rear wheel access. No need to remove ANYTHING like bags or fender to remove/install the rear wheel.

[brucemacneil]

My e-cargo is the greatest ride ever. The best part - riding in a major city - is that I can park absolutely anywhere. (sidewalk)

[Musical_Man_Guitar]

Great video, it is sure hard to be unhappy on a bike :)

[DavidMacPherson-he]

I have a Kona Ute long tail and have used for schools, daycare, grocery, day camp etc. My son and daughter easily fit on the back and because of the gearing the few hills in our commute seemed manageable (the bike had no electric assist).A cargo bike is a great tool to have and makes every day chores enjoyable.Personally, even in bad weather if you’re dressed properly it’s all good.

[krob]

I've tried cycling with a long tail cargo bike carrying a passenger in the UK. It did feel no different from a regular bike. I tried one of those front loader box bikes but found that harder to deal with. The long tail bikes are popular with some parents in my neighbourhood because it's hilly and there are some bike short cuts that have a lot of bollards so tricycles, box bikes etc won't be able to get through. Even so if you've got full bags or panniers you might have to go the longer less safer way around.

[bikerinthewoods]

3 decades as bike commuters and travelers in SE usa here. We bought a Lectric Expedition a year ago and it is amazing. Totally a car replacement vehicle at a modest price (get the double battery to eliminate range anxiety). I wish i had it when we had kids in the house! Kudos to any communities that are subsidizing these.