The cargo bike is gaining popularity, but, as with any mobility vehicle, there are also safety risks associated with these types of bicycles, which often weigh 65 kg unloaded alone and end up loaded almost as much as a motorbike.

This means they can be thrown through the air over a long distance in the event of an accident. A German campaign is now drawing attention to the dangers of cargo bikes.

German testing company Dekra and the traffic supervision organization NRW conducted a crash test with a cargo bike loaded with goods and a dummy. In the simulation, the heavy cargo bike was thrown almost 15 meters through the air after colliding with a car.

Just because cargo bikes have an extremely short braking distance and their heavy weight makes them not always easy to manipulate in traffic, it is essential to strap or secure children and a load.

Crash tests

A crash test by the Belgian consumer organization Test Aankoop/Test Achat also previously found that children are less well protected in a collision because the tray slides a little further across the asphalt, possibly hitting objects.

According to TA, the best alternative is a fixed seat on the bike. In this, children sit more securely, and there is less impact in a collision. A trailer would also be safer because the child is more securely fastened.

First practice

Another critical point is that the large cargo box is usually in front of the driver. The basket often sticks out at an intersection before the driver has a complete traffic situation overview. In the worst-case scenario, accidents like those in the crash test can result.

It is also important to always respect the permissible weight that can be transported. After all, the bike’s brakes are designed for that maximum weight. If you exceed that, the braking deceleration decreases, and your braking distance is longer. In addition, if you exceed the weight, the stiffness of your bike frame becomes unbalanced, and your bike may shake violently.

Consequently, experts recommend that anyone riding a cargo bike for the first time, or only occasionally borrowing one, should first practice outside of traffic to avoid mistakes.

Starting, taking bends, climbing curbs, and braking: all this feels different on a cargo bike than on a conventional bike. Wearing a seatbelt and helmet is also crucial for cargo bike users, as correct riding behavior and visibility in road traffic play a major role.