85 Products
Cargo Bike Accessories: How to carry kids and cargo
Glow Worm Electric Bikes carries a range of accessories to suit different cargo bikes. Whether you want to carry kids or cargo, we can help you find comaptible accessories. Cargo bike accessories are rarely universal. Each cargo bike brand makes their own accessories, specific to the frame and mounting points of each particular bike. This means that when choosing a cargo bike, it's important to consider how you want to use the bike, and what type of cargo you will be carrying. All accessories can be easily swapped and changed as your cargo-carrying needs grow and evolve.
Kids on the back: Carrying passengers on your longtail cargo bike
- Something to sit on
- Something to hold onto
- Something to rest their feet on (including protection from the spokes/drivetrain)
Something to sit on: Seats & seat pads
For young children aged 9 months - 6 years (up to 22 kg), we recommend a child seat with a seat belt and foot supports, such as the the Thule Yepp Maxi. Some rear racks will be equipped with a quick-release mounting system such as MIK, making it compatible with MIK child seats like the Urban Iki. For children over 22 kg, it’s time for them to move up to a padded seat. Sometimes seat pads will be included with your handlebars, or you may need to buy them separately. You may like to include a back rest for your rear passenger, or a seatbelt for added security. Some brands have alternative options for big kids (or adults!) such as the Tern Captain's Chair.
Something to hold onto: Handlebars & hold-on bars
The most popular passenger set-up for longtail cargo bikes are full wrap around handlebars. Called Monkey Bars, Clubhouse or Buddy Rails, these handlebars provide a fully enclosed safe space for your passengers. If you want to run two Yepp seats, make sure you check before buying whether they will both fit. An alternative option are hold-on bars. These come in different shapes and sizes, and provide easier access for adults and big kids to climb on and off, while still giving something to hold onto. Common mounting points include bolting or strapping onto the frame, or clamping on the seat post, so it is important to consider how much space you have, and whether the height of your seat will allow space for mounting.
Something to rest their feet on: Sideboards & wheel guards
Sideboards run along the bottom of the rear rack, and give the passengers somewhere to rest their feet. Wheel guards are usually made of either fabric or PVC, and will strap or bolt onto the side of the frame, to protect the passengers' legs from the spokes and drivetrain of the bike. They are crucial component of your passenger system and should not be neglected. Some cargo bikes, such as the Tern GSD, come with these integrated into the frame; with some other brands they will need to be purchased as an extra accessory. Sideboards are not load bearing, and should only be used for climbing on and off, or for resting feet on. If your child's feet don't reach the sideboards, consider sitting them in a child seat for a little longer.
Different passenger and cargo configurations of the Tern GSD
Racks, bags & crates: Carrying cargo on your longtail cargo bike
Most longtail cargo bikes have a maximum gross vehicle capacity of 200kg. This includes rider weight, as well as the weight of any accessories mounted on the bike, but nevertheless leaves lots of space for carrying cargo. When loaded up with bags, crates and cargo racks your electric cargo bike becomes a heavy duty vehicle that really can replace a small car.
Cargo bike panniers
Many cargo bike brands offer cargo panniers specifically designed for their bikes, that have much more carrying capacity than a regular pannier. Cargo panniers are often mounted semi-permanently (they are not designed to be quickly removed) and are designed to remain on the bike. Cargo panniers are perfect for carrying schoolbags are groceries, and will often be designed to open up into "bucket mode", to allow passengers to put their feet inside, with luggage taking up the remaining space. Cargo panniers can also double as wheel guards, and can often be rolled away or folded flat when not in use. Examples include the Yuba 2-Go Cargo Panniers, thes Benno Utility Panniers, and the Tern Cargo Hold Panniers (available in different sizes).
Front racks & baskets
Most cargo bikes will have a compatible front rack or basket option. Frame-mounted front racks such as these can be a game changer, allowing you to carry up to 20kg on the front of your ebike. Many cargo bike front racks will fit a standard 400 x 300 Eurocrate, or may come with a liner or optional bag. You can even fit a dog carrier to the front of your cargo bike. Nifty features like a quick release mount allows you to quickly remove or change your front rack. Please note, front racks will be brand-specific, and will not be interchangeable between brands.
Cargo crates & trays
Mounting a cargo tray on the back of your cargo bike will maximise your carrying capacity. If you prefer to swap and change, your Monkey Bars can become a cargo cage in a matter of seconds, just strap in a large box or crate. If you really want to load up, make sure your cargo bike comes equipped with a dual kickstand for extra stability. Strap your cargo down securely with a cargo net, elastic straps or Grunt straps, and make sure all straps stay well clear of the wheels and drivetrain!