After a 20-year hiatus from biking, I have decided to return to cycling as a means of transporting my children to school without the guilt of using a car or dealing with the hassle of public transportation. To replace my car on the daily school run, I need an electrically powered bike that can comfortably carry two children and all their belongings. After some research, I believe the best option for me is a longtail electric cargo bike.
There are various pricey “car replacement” bikes on the market, such as the Tern GSD, but I opt for a more affordable option called the RadWagon. However, my main concern is ensuring the safety of my wriggling cargo. I spend a substantial amount of time planning a route that avoids busy roads and sticks to cycle paths and parks.
Parking also becomes a major consideration. Big, expensive bikes like the RadWagon are at risk of theft even with multiple locks. Consequently, I decide to only park the bike at home, school, or work.
Finally, I am ready to borrow the RadWagon from a partner outlet in London. It takes a week to “build” the bike, but the waiting time for an order is typically around 10 days. There are over 500 RadWagon owners in the UK, with only a handful of service outlets in London.
When I arrive at the shop, I confess that I am a novice when it comes to electric bikes. The assistant chuckles and tells me that the RadWagon is a challenging choice for a beginner. With a length of 2 meters and weighing 35kg, it is a beast. However, after a short trial in a nearby park, I decide to take the plunge and cycle 45 minutes home.
The experience of riding the RadWagon is both exhilarating and terrifying. With little effort on my part, I can easily reach speeds of up to 25km per hour. The electric motor makes it feel like I’m gliding along. Even the steepest climbs require minimal physical exertion thanks to the powerful motor.
The bike’s technology is impressive, with built-in lights that activate with the electrics, a range of 55-88km per charge, an easy-to-read display, and the ability to charge your phone on the go.
The first challenge arises when deciding where to store the bike. Leaving it outside seems too risky, and it doesn’t fit in my shed. Ultimately, I settle for keeping it in the hallway, although this is not a viable long-term solution due to its bulkiness. This bike is truly meant for those with spacious garages or the nerves and insurance to leave it chained in the garden.
Loading my children onto the bike proves to be a positive experience for them. They find it comfortable and fun, with no complaints about the ride to school apart from when I hit a speed bump too quickly. I worry about fights breaking out among my tired passengers, but they are too busy enjoying the ride to cause any trouble. The RadWagon is built to accommodate two Thule Yepp Maxi child seats, which can be used by children up to about five years old. These seats are durable and easy to fit, although they may be pricey and hard to find secondhand. Older children can ride with their legs astride the central seat pads if they are capable of holding on. The bike can support a maximum weight of 54kg, equivalent to about two children up to the age of eight or nine.
Child-carrying cargo bikes are becoming more popular in London, although they are not prevalent everywhere. The RadWagon attracts attention and compliments wherever I go. I receive compliments from a teenage boy and curious looks from other parents. Several friends even come over to test the bike. One friend who already uses a non-electric cargo bike finds the RadWagon slightly less responsive, although she still enjoys it. I find it steady, albeit slightly cumbersome to maneuver due to its size, low center of gravity, and thick tires.
Now that it’s time to return the RadWagon, I am contemplating whether to purchase one of my own. The ease, enjoyment, and speed of travel, as well as my children’s love for the bike, are strong selling points. However, the price, parking concerns, and potential hassle if things go wrong are drawbacks. I genuinely believe that cargo biking is the future for urban transportation – it has the potential to replace cars and provide a more enjoyable mode of transportation for local travel. However, for this to become mainstream, the cost needs to decrease even further.
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