How to choose your 4-seater electric cargo bike?

4-seater electric cargo bike: how to choose it?

Is transporting 4 children or even 2 adults and two children on the same bike an impossible mission? Good news for large families, parents of twins and other friends envious of little passengers: the 4-seater electric cargo bike does indeed exist! But how do you distinguish between a cargo bike, a three-seater, a longtail and a hybrid model? What criteria should you consider to make the right choice? An overview of cargo bikes that can accommodate 4 children: find out which one is right for you and how to choose the model best suited to your needs!

Differentiate the types of 4-seater cargo bikes

Cargo bikes are divided into different categories, some of which are more likely to offer 4 seats, or even 5 or 6 depending on the model. Given the load carried on board, sometimes coupled with the presence of gradients on the planned routes, electric assistance is almost essential : a motor will allow you to go fast and far while saving your energy. Two-wheeled, three-wheeled, longtail or hybrid: here are the characteristics of these electric cargo bikes !

4-seater two-wheelers and three-wheelers, known as longjohns

The longjohn category includes cargo bikes with a box at the front . It includes tricycles (one wheel on each side of the box and one at the rear) and bicycles (which rest on two wheels, one at the front of the box, one at the rear of the bike). The spacious box of the tricycle can accommodate two benches of two places each facing each other, on which children can sit. In addition, a baby or child seat can be placed on the optional luggage rack of this 4-seater electric tricycle. The brands Vogue, Babboe, Bakfiets, EcoTriporteur, Triobike or Amsterdamair notably market this type of tricycle.

Some extra-large models can accommodate up to six children by positioning three seats on each side of the body, perpendicular to the driver. These can be particularly useful for a childminder, for example.

Although sought after, the 4-seater cargo bike is rarer on the market. Several models are nevertheless designed specifically to accommodate four passengers in the box , which has the advantage of having them in view and keeping them protected from the elements under the canopy (protective tarpaulin). The V2 from Douze Cycles or the Sunn x Douze model (the result of a collaboration between these two brands) are, for example, equipped with the Ecobox 800 with the possibility of placing two benches of 2 places face to face, enhanced with the 4-seater canopy.

Similarly, Trek's Fetch +4 and Winora's FUB 2.0 offer 4 seats in the front box by adding an optional second bench, available through their dealers.

In the entry or mid-range range, you will also find the Vogue Carry 2 cargo bike, the Babboe City Mountain and the Bakfiets Steps Long, all with 4 seats in the box.

Another possible configuration is to accommodate 3 passengers in the box, while a fourth will take place on the luggage rack , using a baby, child or junior seat , depending on the age of the passenger and the weight supported by the luggage rack. The following cargo bikes are equipped with 3 seats at the front: Décathlon F900E, Urban Arrow Family and FamilyNext, Gazelle Makki Load, Yuba Supercargo and Riese & Müller Load 75 Vario.

💡 Tip: A rack directly integrated into the frame will often offer more strength and more load capacity than an optional rack!

4-seater longtails , midtails and shortails

The longtail , also called a recumbent bike, has a long luggage rack. It therefore offers several places at the rear of the bike . Some models are designed to accommodate 3 children on the extended luggage rack, such as the Yuba Mundo, the Bicicapace Just Long and the Bike43, or even the Yuba Spicy Curry. In addition, a baby seat can be added to the front of the bike, in front of the driver and behind the handlebars, to provide a fourth place.

Midtails and shorttails , on the other hand, have a passenger carrying capacity that is more limited than 4 seats in order to maintain a smaller format.

4-seater hybrid cargo and longtail cargo bikes

In order to combine the advantages of a longjohn and those of a longtail , hybrid models have emerged. These hybrid cargo bikes increase the carrying capacity and allow a greater variety of combinations : a parent can carry their 4 children or two adults on the same bike can go for a ride with their two children on board! This is the case of the Formidable from Galian, a cargotail which has a box at the front allowing two children or one adult to sit, as well as an extended luggage rack on which one adult or two children can sit. Thanks to its scalable side, the Formidable is therefore perfectly suited to large families with 3 or 4 children!

👉Discover the story of Victoire, a mom on a cargo bike!

To determine the type and model of 4-seater electric cargo bike that will suit you among all these proposals, establishing your criteria and priorities will allow you to make the right choice!

Determine the selection criteria for a 4-seater electric cargo bike

Before spontaneously turning to a model, take the time to study the necessary selection criteria. The composition of your household will play a role in the choice of your cargo bike: whether you are the head of a large family, parents of twins or multiples, or wish to share the same bike as a couple with your children, the distribution of seats will not be the same. Likewise, the age and weight of the passengers, the way you ride or even the terrain of your routes are to be considered, without forgetting the availability of an authorized dealer nearby.

The age of the children

To transport a baby, a baby carrier or baby seat such as Melia or Weber can be attached to the crate using a mounting device. Some brands offer their own accessories to specifically fit their cargo bike. For multiple babies of the same age, placing two seats side by side or facing each other is sometimes possible.

For children old enough to sit up, 4-seater two-wheelers and three-wheelers include seats or benches with seat belts in the box, as a standard configuration or as an optional extra. The dimensions of the box (length, width, height and depth) will be particularly important to ensure that everyone is properly seated... With any accompanying cargo! A configuration with two benches facing each other will provide more space for the seats of the little ones and for the legs of growing children.

Some cargo bikes offer one or even two doors in the body to make getting in and out easier: a significant advantage to avoid having to carry the little ones, especially when there are several of them!

Regarding longtails and places on the luggage rack, French law requires a suitable and approved seat up to the age of 5, equipped with a seat belt and footrests. Don't forget to check that the extended luggage rack of the desired model is capable of accommodating several seats if necessary. On Le Formidable de Galian , the guardrail equivalent to the monkey bars (safety bars) is retractable and specifically designed to facilitate the loading and unloading of children: enough to relieve parents...

Generally speaking, the youngest children will be better placed in the front in a crate, while the size of the oldest children, from 5 or 6 years old, will be more suited to transport in the back on a luggage rack. With 4 children, it is not uncommon to combine these two needs: a hybrid model is there to meet this!

Let's take this opportunity to remind you that wearing a helmet is mandatory up to the age of 12 and strongly recommended thereafter. If you plan to regularly or occasionally transport older children under the canopy of a crate, this element must be taken into account when measuring the stature of your charming children. Some canopies are designed to be higher than others at the rear of the crate, others have a uniform height: this allows for maximum use over time (up to 7-9 years depending on the model), although at the expense of minimal wind resistance.

The loading weight

The total weight must also be considered and anticipated over several years of use: children will grow up and loading shopping or equipment such as a stroller, school bags, sports bags or other accessories will inevitably weigh in the balance. Not forgetting a second adult who can take a seat on board! Some cargo bike models are designed to support a particularly heavy load , in the box and/or on the luggage rack: checking this suitability will guarantee you safety and peace of mind!

For greater comfort, new cargo bikes now incorporate a suspension fork at the front of the bike. While it can provide more suspension for passengers, it also requires more maintenance. Alternatively, slightly less inflated balloon tires may be enough to cushion the roughness of the road. For the rider, a suspended seatpost provides significant cushioning!

Cycling

Riding a tricycle, a two-wheeler, or a longtail is very different. If you're not particularly comfortable on a conventional bike, a tricycle can provide the stability you're looking for, especially when stationary with a loaded bike. This requires learning how to ride specifically, especially on bends and sloping roads. Heavier but also often more spacious, it's driven more slowly.

If, on the other hand, you want to keep the feeling of riding a muscle bike, turn more towards the cargo bike or the electric longtail which behave in a more similar way. A longtail remains the most maneuverable and versatile cargo bike, however a cargo bike equipped with cable steering , rather than a bar or rod, also offers great maneuverability despite its greater length. If you want to go fast and far with your tribe, this is what you need!

🚀 Read the story of Priscille, a mother who transports her 4 children on her 4-seater electric cargo bike !

The relief

Your environment is an important factor. Do your planned journeys involve hills? You'll need power to climb hills with a 4-seater or larger bike, especially with a load. To do this, you can check the torque and power of the electric bike . The higher they are, the easier it will be to travel.

If you ride mainly in the city, with frequent stops, a hub transmission with integrated gears (such as Nexus, Enviolo/NuVinci or a belt drive that will require less maintenance) may be relevant: in fact, it allows you to adapt, manually or automatically, the electric assistance and power to your needs. It also offers the advantage of being able to change gears while stationary, while a conventional derailleur will require you to anticipate braking or stopping to downshift before restarting. On the other hand, in a hilly environment, the derailleur may prove more relevant by offering a wider gear range on certain models.

In any case, choose at least a pedal motor and hydraulic disc brakes, suitable for heavy transport in a 4-seater electric cargo bike.

Availability

When buying the cargo bike of your dreams, but also and especially for maintenance and after-sales service, make sure that an authorized dealer or bicycle repairer near you is used to working with the selected brand and is able to take care of your bike. A cargo bike, especially an electric one, requires specific skills: it would be a shame and a disadvantage to have to deprive yourself of it for a sometimes indefinite period of time, in the event of a breakdown or replacement of a part!

You can usually find a brand's points of sale in the dedicated section of its website.

➡️ Discover other criteria here, such as budget, maneuverability or parking .

Have you determined the right type of cargo bike and gathered the necessary criteria? All that's left is to prioritize your needs, compare models, and last but not least, try it out! Don't hesitate to take the time to test the selected 4-seater cargo bike(s), ideally loaded and in real-world riding conditions, to get a good idea of ​​your future steed.

Good choice, and have a good trip!