Holiday by e-cargo bike

Can I go on holiday by e-cargo bike?

The idea of going on a summer holiday by cargo bike may seem unusual at first. Many people wonder: “A holiday by cargo bike, is that even possible?” E-cargo bikes are popular everyday and family vehicles in our cities, but on beaches, at campsites and on Germany’s long-distance cycle routes they are (still) a rare sight. Yet there are plenty of good reasons for a cargo bike holiday:

• No expensive journey to get there. If you like, you can set off from your own front door on your compact cargo bike, and your holiday begins from the very first minute. This spares you the stress of travel and contributes to climate protection compared with flying or driving. It also leaves more of your holiday budget for good food or great experiences at theme parks, swimming pools and other attractions.
• Everything with you. Tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, swimming trunks, walking boots: the cargo bike carries the most important things, so you don’t have to carry much yourselves.
• Travel mindfully. At a cruising speed of 20 to 25 kilometres per hour, you see, hear, smell and experience more of your surroundings, while still covering a good distance every day.
• Individual and flexible. With a cargo bike or e-cargo bike, there’s no annoying hunt for a parking space, and there’s always a little patch of grass free at the campsite. Without the stress of reservations, a cargo bike brings an unexpected degree of freedom and possibility to your holiday.
• Perfect for families. Fresh air in your face instead of a packed family carriage on the train. “Can we stop here?” instead of “Are we there yet?” For young families in particular, there is no better holiday vehicle than the cargo bike: in it, children experience how exciting the countryside and nature can be.

What does a cargo bike holiday with children look like?

Is a cargo bike suitable for touring? Which routes are best?

Admittedly, Alpine passes by cargo bike are not for everyone. Not that powerful cargo bike drives such as the Bosch Performance CX Cargo Line unit with a 625 Wh battery (fitted as standard on Ca Go’s FS200 models) couldn’t manage steep climbs. River cycle routes, however, are considerably more relaxing, and are therefore our tip for anyone going on their first cargo bike holiday. Battery consumption on the flat is much lower, and navigation is child’s play. Signposted long-distance cycle routes in Germany are either tarmac or compacted gravel tracks, which is the best terrain for modern cargo bikes. What’s more, long-distance cycle routes, found for example along the North Sea and Baltic coasts and along all the large and small rivers, come with plenty of infrastructure such as accommodation, food, bike servicing and charging points.

How far can I ride an e-cargo bike on a summer holiday?

Speaking of charging points: a popular question about e-bikes is how far they can go. Understandably so, as nobody wants to run out of juice in the middle of the countryside and have to move 200 kilograms by muscle power. With modern e-cargo bikes such as the Ca Go FS200 series, though, there’s no need to suffer from range anxiety any more: thanks to the option of using two 625 Wh batteries, even long day tours of up to 100 kilometres on the flat are no problem.

Can cargo bikes be taken on the train?

If you don’t want to set off directly from home and can’t transport your cargo bike by car, the train is your only option. In general, taking cargo bikes (and, sadly, bikes in general) on the train is and remains a difficult subject: on long-distance services, Deutsche Bahn does not allow cargo bikes to be carried. On regional services, the rules differ from federal state to federal state, with the general tendency being: rather difficult. Even where carriage on a regional train is allowed, large cargo bikes often don’t fit into the spaces provided in the bike compartment. Because of their length, they may be in the way and could block escape routes. You should also bear in mind that a heavily loaded bike has to be got through cramped stations, possibly with broken lifts, and onto the train over the platform edge. None of this is easy, except with compact e-cargo bikes such as the Ca Go CS: thanks to the short wheelbase and compact frame design, these pass as ordinary e-bikes and can be taken on the train much more easily.

How much luggage can I carry on a cargo bike on holiday?

Tips for a cargo bike holiday

With these tips and tricks, you’ll have a relaxing holiday with your cargo bike:

• Learn how to deal with a puncture. Before your tour, find out how to handle a flat tyre on the road. The Schwalbe tyres developed specially for the Ca Go are designed for the best puncture protection, but even so, a nasty nail shouldn’t bring your tour to a premature end.
• Accommodation. It may not yet have got around everywhere that e-cargo bikes are excellent holiday vehicles. In Germany, accommodation certified under the ADFC’s Bett & Bike scheme is a great tip. When booking, it’s best to ask for a secure, dry place to park.
• Find the best route. Navigation apps such as Komoot and Outdooractive know the most beautiful routes and tell you in advance about surface quality and potential trouble spots. If you prefer to keep it simple, you can also use the cycling mode in Google Maps or Apple’s Maps app, or simply follow the cycle route signs.
• Remember the charger. Even if you ride economically, the battery needs charging before the next day’s tour. If you forget the plug, you have a problem and the relaxation is gone.