Urban Arrow’s front-loader is a stylish, functional cargo/kid hauler
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I feel like I'd have an incredibly hard time adjusting to the front-loader design - is there a significant advantage to it over towing a trailer or buying a longtail?
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I wish these had existed when my kids were little. SO much better than the ol' bike trailer!
(OTOH, there's no way I could've spared $6k when my kids were little, so...)
(OTOH, there's no way I could've spared $6k when my kids were little, so...)
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Urban Arrow owner here from Ottawa.
It slaps, even for folks without kids. Have hauled bags of mulch, soil, plants, many 2x4x8s, lots of groceries, beer, and the occasional adult.
We put our now 1 year old in the child car seat adapter (maxi-cosi) and they love it (and had been from about six-months of age).
Lived in The Hague for a while, and more than one of these were parked on every block in middle-class neighbourhoods.
It slaps, even for folks without kids. Have hauled bags of mulch, soil, plants, many 2x4x8s, lots of groceries, beer, and the occasional adult.
We put our now 1 year old in the child car seat adapter (maxi-cosi) and they love it (and had been from about six-months of age).
Lived in The Hague for a while, and more than one of these were parked on every block in middle-class neighbourhoods.
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Yes. You see the stuff up front the whole time, infants love seeing you (they're in a back facing car seat with an adapter), and older kids love not looking at your sweaty back. Once you get used to the turning radius (an hour or two) it's a dream. Trailers suck.
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The kids will also appreciate not having the burritos-per-mile side effects wafting into their faces...
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Or the misting of mud they take in the rear trailer cause I didn't think to put the rain cover on. Seriously though, some of the parents at my daycare have Urban Arrows and they love them. They don't use them one the ice comes out, so I guess that's my one advantage.
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RickRoyLeonPrisZhoraRacha
Ars Scholae Palatinae
I dunno..having been cert on welding tubing like aluminum and stainless, those welds look ugly. Sure there are some "stacked dimes" on the long passes but the tube sections..just sloppy.
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I park it behind a fence at the side of semi-detached home under a small canopy I built. That said, they're designed to spend their whole lives outdoors as the average Dutch family would have no where else to put it. I used to see them on the sidewalk in front of the owners house all the time.
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It'll carry a lot more than most longtails, and can easily handle much bulkier items. I imagine a trailer could be just as big, but most bike trailers I've seen have been kinda small. There's enough room on this bike for a big Costco or grocery run, enough to feed a family for at least a couple weeks. If you load it all the way and use a net to hold things in, you might be able to pack a month of stuff into one run. But your store will need to be reasonably close with that smallish battery, probably no more than 10 miles away.
And, as the article mentions, if you're using it as a kid hauler, they're in front of you, where you can see and talk to them. The restraints are also better, so they're probably a little safer.
A good longtail can still carry a heck of a lot, however. Most will handle a Costco run for two people; if you're doing a whole family, you'll probably have to go twice as often. But you probably can't do both kids and Costco simultaneously, where you could still pack a lot in an Urban Arrow, in front of their feet. Just, you know, be careful, you don't want squashed children.
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You can very well do so. These bikes are quite popular around my parts and 2 neighbors had theirs stolen just as easy as that, they weren't tied because "they're big and heavy" and someone literally just picked them up in a van and drove off. The high price makes them way more attractive than your 400 EUR supermarket bike.
From my experience with an older model, they're super practical for their carrying prowess (I'd say best in class but limited experience with such bikes) and yet at the same time quite inconvenient to ride, at least for me as someone used more to regular bikes. The size and the steering so far ahead are quite an acquired taste especially if you switch regularly to a standard bike. They're also big and heavy so if you don't have some dedicated and easily accessible storage space it can be a pain to store. Neighbors lined them up next to the building taking up half the pedestrian space on the sidewalk (paying for this with the occasional not so accidental damage to the bike). I paid by braking my back to lift it into my slightly above ground garden.
Also the older models were much cheaper (probably way less advanced too). The current price of ~6000 EUR gives me a bit of sticker price shock so I'm not convinced there's one in my future (although I am in the market for such a bike). I've heard way too many people say "I'll buy a second had car for that money" even if that clearly comes with its own set of problems.
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Excluding use for kids, as we don't have any and at this point won't, is there any reason to justify the cost of this over a decent foldable trailer?
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Braking hard can be a big problem with a trailer, and because it's behind you, you have to pay more attention to make sure it doesn't hit things. I'd call the Arrow better, but I'm thoroughly unconvinced it's $5500 better.
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I recently took a trip to the Netherlands and saw this style around quite a bit. I was curious how the steering would feel with it so far in front of you, appreciate the details on that part on the article. The first thing I thought when I saw it was how twitchy a small wheeled folding bike felt when steering vs a 26"+ mountain bike. Definitely takes some getting used to for sure!
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I enjoy Ars' bike reviews even more since my doc asked me to stop driving. One thing that I have noticed is that many of these bikes are expensive enough that they're priced to be cheaper than a car, but still an expensive vehicle.
I know that some of that is the cost of quality, and some of that is a publication reviewing cutting-edge stuff, but I'm curious if there might be a review or two of useful bikes that are more affordable.
I know that some of that is the cost of quality, and some of that is a publication reviewing cutting-edge stuff, but I'm curious if there might be a review or two of useful bikes that are more affordable.
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The curved top of the cargo area is... a choice. If you want to tie down something that doesn't fit inside, have fun. I'd probably print or build some stuff to make this easier.
That is exactly the reason I'd select an electric version for a cargo bike. I'm not terribly worried about total exertion for a trip, I'm worried about comfort while doing so.
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Cargo in front is absolutely superior. Once the kids are too big, dogs fit!
Bike trailers are the worst, except possibly for getting another car.
Bike trailers are the worst, except possibly for getting another car.
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https://meincmagazine.com/cars/2023/11/the-trek-fx-2-e-bike-is-a-jack-of-all-trades/https://meincmagazine.com/cars/2023/0...eview-low-key-and-sleek-yet-powerful-and-fun/https://meincmagazine.com/cars/2022/08/no-gimmicks-no-problems-the-low-fuss-reasonably-priced-e-bike/https://meincmagazine.com/cars/2023/10/the-heybike-tyson-e-bike-is-janky-fun-and-sometimes-dangerous/
And probably some others.
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Perhaps counter-intuitively, if you live on hills, its better with three wheels IMO (i.e. cargo trikes). You'd think there would be a weight penalty that mattered, but I don't believe there is. There are a few three-wheeled options out there that are not the whole-box-turns design.
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I think that it is worth mentioning there in an incoming update to the Urban Arrow, that includes front suspension.
It will add a bit of weight, but I would be very interested in testing the newer model. (Ideally a suspension fork could be retrofitted). The biggest need for suspension comes when dealing with speed bumps, the 20" wheel doesn't roll over them very well unless they have a smooth transition. That said the kids often look forward to hitting the bumps hard.
I love ours, as do the chidren. My spouse finds it a bit heavy to maneuver but is happy on in when the streets are quiet (i.e. Sunday morning).
I expect to see cheaper bakfiet emerge in the coming years, as I have seen more and more in my neighborhood.
Edit/additional comment:
Given the technical inclination of the Ars readership. I am looking for anyone with experience adding turn indicators to an Urban Arrow (or similar). Ideally, they would be integrated into the ends of the front basket top tubes (where the reflectors currently are). I have been watching these B&M Turntec, but they are expensive and aren't quite the form factor I would like. As a bonus would they include brake lights.
I have seen some that are wirelessly connected and run of their own batteries. I don't like that as a I am already carting around a 500Wh battery to power the bike and want fewer things to remember to keep charged.
It will add a bit of weight, but I would be very interested in testing the newer model. (Ideally a suspension fork could be retrofitted). The biggest need for suspension comes when dealing with speed bumps, the 20" wheel doesn't roll over them very well unless they have a smooth transition. That said the kids often look forward to hitting the bumps hard.
I love ours, as do the chidren. My spouse finds it a bit heavy to maneuver but is happy on in when the streets are quiet (i.e. Sunday morning).
I expect to see cheaper bakfiet emerge in the coming years, as I have seen more and more in my neighborhood.
Edit/additional comment:
Given the technical inclination of the Ars readership. I am looking for anyone with experience adding turn indicators to an Urban Arrow (or similar). Ideally, they would be integrated into the ends of the front basket top tubes (where the reflectors currently are). I have been watching these B&M Turntec, but they are expensive and aren't quite the form factor I would like. As a bonus would they include brake lights.
I have seen some that are wirelessly connected and run of their own batteries. I don't like that as a I am already carting around a 500Wh battery to power the bike and want fewer things to remember to keep charged.
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These are becoming more and more popular in Ireland - great bike - especially as bike lanes continue to improve.
I always point people to the annual blog post over on DCrainmaker (sports tech gear review website) who was living in Amsterdam until recently and did an annual "Christmas tree collection" blog post, which also includes his three kids - on an Urban Arrow cargo bike.
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2023/12/getting-christmas-edition.html
Taking the photo directly from the site, these things are mega for carrying loads.
Lastly, on the stability/balance thing that was described on hills. I have a long-tail but regularly use it to carry big bags of mulch from the DIY store: easily 50-80kg on the back which leads to instability taking off. The fix was to put the bike into 'boost/turbo/full-power' mode just for pulling away and let the motor do its magic to get to a speed quickly and away from that 'I'm moving from a standstill to will-I-won't-I-fall-over' position. It fixed the balance issues I had when I adjusted to this.
I always point people to the annual blog post over on DCrainmaker (sports tech gear review website) who was living in Amsterdam until recently and did an annual "Christmas tree collection" blog post, which also includes his three kids - on an Urban Arrow cargo bike.
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2023/12/getting-christmas-edition.html
Taking the photo directly from the site, these things are mega for carrying loads.
Lastly, on the stability/balance thing that was described on hills. I have a long-tail but regularly use it to carry big bags of mulch from the DIY store: easily 50-80kg on the back which leads to instability taking off. The fix was to put the bike into 'boost/turbo/full-power' mode just for pulling away and let the motor do its magic to get to a speed quickly and away from that 'I'm moving from a standstill to will-I-won't-I-fall-over' position. It fixed the balance issues I had when I adjusted to this.
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These things are everywhere where I live; zipping around our little mainstreet and parked half-a-dozen deep at my daughter's school drop off. It's sot of a bougie contest whether you get one of these or a Rivian first when you move into the neighborhood (has to be a Rivian, because everyone already has a Tesla).
My snide commentary notwithstanding, my neighbor raves about theirs—I see them tooting around with their two kids laughing and screaming in the bucket. In tightly-plotted suburbs like ours with lots of restaurants and small businesses and ample bike lanes, I imagine it's a lot easier than loading the kids into the SUV and then hunting for parking.
My snide commentary notwithstanding, my neighbor raves about theirs—I see them tooting around with their two kids laughing and screaming in the bucket. In tightly-plotted suburbs like ours with lots of restaurants and small businesses and ample bike lanes, I imagine it's a lot easier than loading the kids into the SUV and then hunting for parking.
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TY
I was thinking too you're going to need space for your other bike / more quick errands trips too where you don't want to drive the cart.
Not to say it can't be done, obviously it can be. Wish I could do that.
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wait till you see the annual servicing bill on this (maybe some brake pads), the tiny depreciation relative to a car, and the sheer glee your mini-human passengers will have cruising around in one of these
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Very much this. A couple of years ago we had a rash of thefts of motorcycles in town, basically a handful of guys in a panel van pulling up, picking the bike up and carrying it through the back doors and drive off in about a minute flat.
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They are quite popular here in Belgium.
Most people get them with an insurance coverage that will come and help you when you have a flat or other problem on the road (similar to car assistance). Quite often, the bikes are leased, meaning periodic maitanance and repairs by a professional are included in the cost, so the typical user does not care about the ease of repair. Finally, most people drive them on regular roads with little risks of flat tires. The discussion in the article on flat tyres therefore seems really an non-issue, at least over here.
I recently bought a new bike, and the shop owner insisted that I tried a Riese&Muller cargo bike. I was afraid that driving a cargo bike would need some adaptation, but at least with the model tested, it did not take 10 minutes to confortable ride and turn at different speeds and inclinations. It was a wonderful bike, and I really considered buying (leasing) it. In the end, I did not take it, as it would be to big to easily park at the train station, where there are only a limited set of places reserved for larger bikes. I do prefer bakfiets over a long tail, as I want to transport my dog, and I prefer having him in front of me, where I can see what he is doing.
edit: theft is indeed an issue: insurance only covers when using a certified lock installed on the bike and a second certified lock used to attach the bike to a fixed object.
Most people get them with an insurance coverage that will come and help you when you have a flat or other problem on the road (similar to car assistance). Quite often, the bikes are leased, meaning periodic maitanance and repairs by a professional are included in the cost, so the typical user does not care about the ease of repair. Finally, most people drive them on regular roads with little risks of flat tires. The discussion in the article on flat tyres therefore seems really an non-issue, at least over here.
I recently bought a new bike, and the shop owner insisted that I tried a Riese&Muller cargo bike. I was afraid that driving a cargo bike would need some adaptation, but at least with the model tested, it did not take 10 minutes to confortable ride and turn at different speeds and inclinations. It was a wonderful bike, and I really considered buying (leasing) it. In the end, I did not take it, as it would be to big to easily park at the train station, where there are only a limited set of places reserved for larger bikes. I do prefer bakfiets over a long tail, as I want to transport my dog, and I prefer having him in front of me, where I can see what he is doing.
edit: theft is indeed an issue: insurance only covers when using a certified lock installed on the bike and a second certified lock used to attach the bike to a fixed object.
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I hope they bring this to the US - a bike shop told me a few months ago that UA said they have no current plans to import it.
“Little bumps today, or big bumps?”
“BIG BUMPS!!”
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A car lasts 10 years, 20 if you are lucky and have a lot of skills, tools, and money to maintain it.
A bike will last for your entire life with very minimal maintenance (keep it out of the rain and take it to a bike shop for a checkup once every 5 to 10 years).
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Cars last a long time now ... don't require you to maintain it...
That other guy's Car vs Bike premise is a bit of a weird comparison, but I think this 10 year old car dying scenario is pretty absurd outside extreme cases.
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I've got a long tail cargo bike but I'd love to try one of these. I couldn't justify the price and I feel like it's mostly necessary if you have more than one kid, plus even the most bikeable areas in LA would mean this is hugely overkill. But I'd love for public bikeshares to start having some of these around, even if you need to reserve a rental or something. At $2K my cargo bike feels like a car supplement so I don't need to buy a second one, but at $5-10k this would be more a full car replacement so you don't need one at all.
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It's the slap a kids safe sticker on it and call it a day. But vs towing a trailer. You get better braking if your trailer does not have a breaking system (do they exist?).
So that's not true. The cars that drove without needing to maintain them were make in the mid 90's to mid 00's. And that's if you purposely want it to die. Car design took a nosedive with cost savings and fuel efficiency / power generation. But then again the guy saying a bike needs to be minimally maintained probably isn't daily riding every day.
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the average age of cars is 12.6 years.
Todd Bialaszewski, founder of Junk Car Medics, provides insight into the lifespan of vehicles in the USA, which averages 16.58 years with an average mileage of 156,470 miles when junked. This analysis is based on over 50,000 records from 2023, revealing variations in vehicle longevity and mileage across different states.
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Bakfietsen have been common in Portland for years. The Bullitt ones seem more popular, or maybe just better distributed. There was one guy who used use a flat bed bakfiets to haul his racing bicycle to PIR. The one big drawback is that their natural habitats of Amsterdam and Copenhagen are flat so anywhere with hills need either wide gearing or a motor. FWIW you can get cheaper bikes by going to chain drive, Shimano geared hubs or derailleurs and hub drive motors instead of mid drive.
Servicing is an issue, Dutch shops usually have a hydraulic lift and I'm guessing specialists like Clever Cycles or Splendid Cycles have sprung for at least one. The difficulty of servicing the rear tire makes a good use case for a tubeless tire since those can usually be plugged in place.
Servicing is an issue, Dutch shops usually have a hydraulic lift and I'm guessing specialists like Clever Cycles or Splendid Cycles have sprung for at least one. The difficulty of servicing the rear tire makes a good use case for a tubeless tire since those can usually be plugged in place.
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What, I don't expect an e-bike to last even 10 years. Maybe they will, if parts manage to hold to standards, but I'll believe that when I see it. A leg-power bike yeah, especially one that is not using ever-changing performance-optimizing not-quite-standard parts. An old-school euro commuter bike is forever.
Also parking out in the rain is pretty typical treatment for bikes that last decades in big bike cities (Copenhagen for example). Just needs to be designed for neglect.
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