Family cargo bikes launched at the 2023 Cycle Show

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The growth in family cargo bikes continues unabated, with so many new brands and models being showcased at the 2023 Cycle Show, which took place at Alexandra Palace from 21 to 23 April 2023.

It’s not too many years ago that cargo bikes were a very niche topic and a couple of specialist retailers would be tucked away in a corner with a couple of cargo bikes on display.

Now they’re the first thing you see when you enter the show with hundreds of brands represented on display and the test track.

Vello Sub prototype launched

The Vello Sub is a crowdfunded cargo bike from the Italian manufacturer Vello. Last year early bird investors were given the chance to get their hands on one at a discounted price and it was brilliant to see the prototype up close.

Speaking to the founder and designer Valentin Vodev it was clear his attention to detail has resulted in a rather special bike.

I was particularly impressed with the way the bike can be made as narrow as possible in a matter of seconds with easy rotate handlebars and foldable pedals and footplates, making is feasible to store in narrow hallways and corridors.

The first bikes are going to be available from September 2023 at Vello dealers and will cost EUR 5,988.

Benno Boost E CX Evo 5 launched

Benno are a Californian-based company with an Austrian designer (Benno Baenziger) who have a wide range of electric cargo bikes to suit different needs.

Their signature bike is Benno Boost which is designed to carry two passengers and is easily modifiable as the family grows, with options for rear seats, safety rails and seat pad to cater for kids of all ages.

A new model Boost will be available in July 2023 from Benno dealers with upgraded features including improved braking and a thro-axel option. The bike has a £5,300 price tag.

S-Cargo launched

Synch Bikes are based in Poole, Dorset and were launching their new S-Cargo bike at the Cycle Show.

The bike is UK designed and built, using the expertise from local shipbuilders.

The S-Cargo extends their range of electric cargo bikes to cater for larger families and will fit two Urban Ikki rear seats for smaller children and has a variety of luggage and seating options to cope with a growing family.

The bikes are built to order and will be sold directly from their website with delivery from June 2023.

The base price for the bike without accessories will be £3,250 but they have a 15% launch discount for early orders.

Mycle Cargo upgrade and new accessories

At the other end of the price spectrum is the Mycle Cargo (£2,000).

Unfortunately the bike is currently out of stock, but an updated version is going to be available to buy online later in the year. This will feature a new display unit and hydraulic disc brakes.

These upgrades aren’t planned to affect the low price point, but the base bike will now be sold without footplates, so if you need these they will be an additional cost.

This helps make the bike more modular, as those using with rear bike seats or cargo boxes don’t require the footplate.

A really welcome addition to the Mycle accessory range is the bike tent. This will be available from July 2023, and make year-round riding much more feasible.

Mycle are also working on a footbox, which will be the final piece in the wet weather protection puzzle, but they couldn’t put a date on when we’d expect this.

Black Iron Horse now available in UK

Black Iron Horse are a Danish brand who have been making trike-style cargo bikes since 1996.

They’ve never been available here in the UK before, but the good news is that they’re now available via London-based Flying Dutchman Bikes.

The modular seating system inside the front box can fit up to six seats and offers fixing points for a baby seat suitable from birth.

All Black Iron Horse cargo boxes are made from waste materials including fishing nets, artificial grass, and children’s playgrounds. The frames are made in Denmark or Ukraine.

Update on Tern

There were a number of Tern cargo bikes on display at the Cycle Show, as befits one of the most popular longtail cargo bikes around.

Tern have been adversely affected by the failure of their distributor Moore Large last month, so it was reassuring to speak to them and hear that plans are underway to ensure that supply of bikes and accessories into the UK remains as uninterrupted as possible

We can expect some minor delays over the next few months as this settles down, but they are still committed to the UK market which is a huge relief for all the Tern lovers out there!

Services for cargo biking families

One of the great things to see at the Cycle Show was a number of smaller businesses exhibiting whose mission is to support getting and keeping people (and in particular families) cycling.

The complexity and the size of a cargo bike means that expertise in setting up, servicing and fixing is so important.

It was good to meet Cycledelik who are mobile bicycle mechanics who operate in the London area. They will also come to your home and get your new cargo bike ready to ride, providing peace of mind that you've got it all working correctly.

They work in conjunction with the retailer Kids and Family Cycles who were sharing their stand, along with Green Oil, who are helping to make bike maintenance more environmentally friendly.