Kids’ cargo bikes are a great way to entertain restless toddlers on their way to kindergarten and start enjoying your mornings again.
Getting your kids to kindergarten in the morning can be a stressful time for moms—loads of energy to manage! From messy car seats to downright fussiness, we all know how a morning with hyperactive children can quickly turn nightmarish.
Switching the morning car ride out for a kids’ cargo bike ride is a great way to make mornings more fun for everyone. Electric kids cargo bikes are quickly becoming a mom favorite, providing an active and engaging experience for the whole family.
In This Article
What is a Cargo Bike for Kids?
Cargo bikes are a great family-friendly alternative to car rides. With a front-loading cargo compartment to carry your kids to school, they’re quickly becoming one of the most popular family bike options on the market.
Long Frame & 3-Wheel Support
The extended frame and 3-wheel structure are signature features of the cargo bike, providing stability during both active and rest periods. Unlike bike seats or rear trailer attachments, the front-loading cargo piece creates a great weight distribution, allowing for safe stops without having to worry about a kickstand or balancing.
Designed for Safety & Security
Cargo bikes were made with the family in mind, providing all passengers with safety and security. The front compartment typically comes with seats, seatbelts, and a handy door for access. Depending on the size, cargo bikes can fit anywhere from 2-4 kids or 1-2 adults. Additionally, being able to keep your eye on them provides parents with additional peace of mind while riding.
E-Bike Option
Not every parent is an Olympic athlete—carrying 3 toddlers can get tiring, even for the fittest of us. Luckily, most models these days are electric cargo bikes, meaning that you can activate the battery-powered option whenever you get tired. Some even come with a “pedal assist” function that gives you an extra little boost as you’re pedaling.
How Cargo Bikes Make Morning Trips Fun for Kindergarteners
Interactive Learning
Cargo bikes are a great way to provide your kids with an engaging learning experience on their way to kindergarten. They’re the perfect opportunity for them to learn about the world through observation and a great alternative to sitting cooped up in the car.
More Quality Time
Morning cargo bike rides are the perfect time for you to connect with your kids. Instead of keeping your eye on them in the rear-view mirror, you always have them in view, offering them more attention than you would be able to while staying focused on the road. This way, you can answer their questions and be more engaged with them, turning a potentially stressful car ride into a bonding experience.
Fresh Air + Outdoor Time
Children love being outside—we see it with our own eyes every day. They kick and scream when they’re forced to come inside, leave the beach, or get in the car to go home. That’s because outdoor time and fresh air are fun, exciting, and soothing for them. It’s one of the best ways for kindergarteners to organically learn about the world by discovering on their own.
In addition, outdoor time may help our little ones focus on school!
Focus & Mental Health Benefits
Just like us, our kids get anxious about spending a lot of time indoors. Getting kindergarteners outside first thing in the morning is a great way to ease their hyperactivity and anxiety. Several studies find that time spent in nature can greatly increase children’s focus and overall mood in the classroom and other group settings.
6 Cargo Bike Safety Tips
So, you’re about to try out your very first cargo bike for kids. Before you set out on your exciting new life as an electric cargo bike family, there are a few things to consider so that every ride is a safe experience for all:
1. Helmets on!
Riding a cargo bike is no different from any other bike—helmets are a must! Even though you will have your eye on them the whole time, it’s always a good safety measure to make sure that helmets are secured on every little passenger.
2. Seatbelts buckled!
Before your first kids’ cargo bike trips, take the time to get familiar with the seatbelts that your cargo bike comes with. This is important, especially for toddlers who tend to be very antsy and can try standing up to see something exciting on the street.
If your cargo bike doesn’t come with seatbelts, or you are not satisfied with the safety of the built-in ones, invest in some better ones! This is an accessory investment you shouldn’t think twice about.
3. No Sharp Turns
This is not your average road bike! Take the cargo bike out for a ride around the block before going for a ride with your kids. It’s a good idea to get used to those wider turns and weight distribution before rushing to get your kids to the kindergarten doors on time in the morning.
4. Keep an eye on wandering hands
Your kids first cargo bike ride will be an exciting experience for them. Naturally, they will do silly things like trying to touch stop signs or simply stick their hands out of the side to feel the wind rushing by. Make sure they aren’t sticking their arms out anywhere they shouldn’t be!
5. Pad those tushies
Depending on the model you choose, there may or may not be padding on the seats. If your kindergarten is a bit further from home, consider investing in seat padding to make the ride more comfortable for your kids. This will also reduce the possibility of them being antsy and doing silly things!
6. Roof attachment for weather
While some cargo bikes for kids come with a roof attachment, others don’t. It’s a great idea to invest in a roof or cover accessory in the event of rainfall, ensuring that your little ones arrive on their first day of kindergarten dry.
From giving your kindergarteners an interactive learning experience to improving their overall mental health, kids’ cargo bikes are one of the best ways to make mornings an enjoyable time for everyone.
Make sure to look out for these safety features when shopping for a cargo bike, but most of all, enjoy your new life as a cargo bike family—you won’t regret it!
