Cargo bike or car? What’s worth it?

The cargo bike rules the city centre

Especially in urban areas, the advantages of the cargo bike over the car are obvious. Compact cargo bikes are easier to manoeuvre in dense city traffic and are often a quicker way of getting around urban areas. If you travel by cargo bike, you don’t need to worry about traffic jams, you do something for your health, you spend plenty of time in the fresh air and you make no noise.

The search for a parking space when shopping also disappears, because in German city centres very few supermarkets have their own car parks, and when they do, finding a space straight away is like winning the lottery. That means you either have to lug the crate of water for miles, or risk a parking ticket or, even worse, towing charges.

A cargo bike is considerably cheaper than a car

You hear the argument again and again: “For the price of an e-cargo bike I can almost afford a small car!” That comparison doesn’t hold up. Cargo bikes are considerably cheaper to run and to buy. Entry prices for a high-quality e-cargo bike are around €7,000. But with that amount you can at best buy a cheap used car with a few miles on the clock. What matters is the annual running costs. For cargo bikes these are remarkably low compared with a car, as car insurance, road tax, fuel costs and the MOT (TÜV) all fall away. You also save on parking fees and resident’s parking permits with a cargo bike. In addition, many towns, cities and municipalities offer cargo bike grants.

A cargo bike is more environmentally friendly than a car

The most compelling argument for a cargo bike is its environmental impact. According to estimates from the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), cars with combustion engines emit around 13 to 20 kilograms of CO2 per 100 kilometres. Climate-damaging emissions when riding a cargo bike? Virtually none! Cargo bikes are more environmentally friendly not only in everyday use, but also in production. The CO2 equivalent of producing pedelecs is put at 1.84 kg per 100 passenger kilometres, while a diesel comes in at 15.6 kg and a petrol car at a staggering 17.7 kg, which is more than 9.5 times as much. Overall, manufacturing a combustion-engine car releases almost seven tonnes of greenhouse gases, compared with 350 kg for an e-cargo bike, most of which comes from the battery. Cargo bikes also need less space, which is likewise good for the environment and provides a convincing argument for the car-free city projects being pushed in many major cities.

A comprehensive safety concept

A topic for young parents is the transport of children. Here, not only practical usefulness but also safety plays a key role. On the face of it, you might quickly conclude that a car is the safer alternative, because cargo bikes generally have no crumple zone and often offer little protection in road accidents. Not so the FS200 Life: from the start, Ca Go took its lead on safety from automotive requirements and placed particular emphasis on occupant protection.

Perfect for young families

Cargo bikes appeal particularly to young families. Take, for example, a family with two small children living on the outskirts of a typical German town, with traffic jams and public transport whose timetable doesn’t always fit their daily routine. Many shops, the office job, the childminder, the nursery and the sports hall for children’s gymnastics are up to ten kilometres apart in some cases, a typical cycling distance that fits together perfectly with a cargo bike.

Easier to handle than a car

Cargo bikes are easier to manoeuvre in dense city traffic and are often a quicker way of getting around urban areas. Here too, the FS200 stands out from the crowd. Even without any prior experience, anyone can ride the cargo bike safely and quickly. The dual cable-pull safety steering, with four cables, provides full control, agility and precise handling. And thanks to the large steering angle, manoeuvring is child’s play. The low centre of gravity and the comfortable riding position make for dynamic handling and ease of use. The rider can put both feet on the ground at any time and so always find a secure footing. Once on the move, the large Magura disc brake system delivers impressive stopping power.

No matter the weather

There’s no question that cycling isn’t necessarily fun when it rains or snows, and the cargo bike is no exception. But on the FS200 Life Family-Plus, at least the little passengers are very well protected from the elements, thanks to the versatile All-Weather-Top, a year-round canopy with numerous clever details. The All-Weather Top can be converted in a few quick steps at any time, from rain and snow protection to effective sun protection.

More storage space in the car

When it comes to storage space, the car has the edge. The fact that a car can take both parents and at least three children is an advantage that can’t be dismissed, but it still has to be said that you can transport quite a lot with the FS200 Life. The cargo box is a real marvel of space. The 200-litre EPP box holds a good deal, and not just children. A big shop fits in easily too, for example in a Euro crate, which fits in perfectly.