Child seat, rain, visibility: outfitting your cargo bike for the family

How can you equip your electric cargo bike for family rides, even in rainy weather? Three things are essential: choose a suitable baby seat, stay visible in traffic, and protect your child from the rain.

Good news: most equipment is already included as standard on Ritmic bikes. Lights, fenders, wheel skirts… All you need to do is add a few accessories to adapt the bike to your everyday needs.

Here’s how to equip your Solo, Duo, Yuvy 3, or Jumbo for family rides in any weather.

Which baby seat should you install on your cargo bike?

On Ritmic cargo bikes, the baby seat is installed at the rear. The Solo and Jumbo have an MIK HD-compatible rack. On the Duo and Yuvy 3, you need to add a rear platform to attach a suitable child seat.

A child can generally travel in a bike seat from around 9 months old, once they can sit up on their own. However, age alone is not enough: always follow the seat manufacturer's instructions, particularly regarding the child's weight and development.

Under the law, an appropriate seat is required to carry a child under 5. A helmet is also mandatory for all children under 12, whether they are passengers or riders.

Front or rear seat?

A front-mounted baby seat, installed between the handlebars and the saddle, is generally suitable for smaller children, up to around 15 kg. A rear seat lets you carry a child for longer, often up to 22 kg, depending on the model.

At Ritmic, our bikes are designed to carry children at the rear, on a rack or a dedicated platform. There are a few compatible front-mounted baby seat models, but our bikes were not specifically designed for this use.

This setup also lets you use the wheel skirts that come as standard. They protect the rear wheel area, keeping your child’s feet and clothing away from it.

On the Solo and Jumbo: a MIK HD seat that clips on

For the Solo and the Jumbo, choose a child seat compatible with MIK HD. The rear rack has this passenger-ready mounting system built in. The seat clips on and off in seconds, without having to remove the entire rack.

Our website offers the Urban Iki Ta-ke MIK HD, among other options. Other child seats are also compatible with our bikes, including the Polisport Kaori MIK HD, Bobike GO MIK HD, and Urban Iki Bio MIK HD.

Before buying, check that it is marked “MIK HD” and that the seat is compatible with your bike. Please note that MIK and MIK HD systems are not interchangeable.

Do you have two young children? The Jumbo can accommodate up to two baby seats on its rear rack, which can support 80 kg. To complete the setup and keep your children safe during transport, the child passenger kit lets you add a protective rail and footrests.

On the Duo and Yuvy 3: rear platform and clamp-mounted seat

On the Duo and Yuvy 3, the child seat attaches behind the two-person seat, on an additional rear platform. The setup depends on the model:

• On the Duo: add the MIK rear platform.
• On the Yuvy 3: choose the standard rear platform or the MIK platform.

You can then install a clamp-mounted seat, such as the Polisport Groovy CFS, suitable for children weighing 9 to 22 kg.

The two-person seat remains available to accommodate an adult or an older child. So you can ride with three people: one rider, one passenger on the seat, and a young child in a rear child seat.

Please note: on the MIK platform, you can install a child seat or a passenger backrest, but not both at the same time.

For help installing your seat and adjusting your child’s helmet, see our guide to riding safely with your children. And if you’re still deciding between models, check out our guide to choosing the right Ritmic for your needs.

How do you carry an older child on a cargo bike?

To carry a child over 110 cm tall on a Ritmic cargo bike, you can choose a passenger cushion, a two-person saddle or a suitable junior seat. The choice depends on your child’s height, how much support they need and the bike model.

Several setups are possible on our bikes:

• On the Solo: a MIK passenger cushion and footrests allow an older child to ride on the back.
• On the Duo and Yuvy 3: a child over 110 cm tall can sit directly on the two-person saddle, with suitable footrests.
• On the Jumbo: one or two older children can ride on the rear rack, which can be fitted with cushions, footrests and a safety rail.

Passenger cushion or junior seat: what’s the difference?

The passenger cushion is a padded seat that attaches to the bike’s rear rack. It’s suitable for children who are big enough to sit and hold on by themselves, without needing a harness. Paired with suitable footrests, it makes everyday rides comfortable.

The junior seat is a seat designed for children who have outgrown a baby seat but still need better support. Unlike a simple cushion, it generally has a backrest and may include side protection or footrests. It doesn’t necessarily have a harness: that depends on the model. It’s an intermediate option between a baby seat and a passenger cushion.

If you choose a junior seat, remember to check its mounting system, the size and weight limits specified by the manufacturer, and its compatibility with your Ritmic model. Also make sure it provides suitable support for your child, so they can ride comfortably and safely.

What equipment helps you stay visible when cycling?

To be clearly visible when cycling, you need effective lighting, reflective elements and equipment suited to the riding conditions. All Ritmic bikes come with front and rear lights with a brake light. The Solo, Duo and Jumbo also come with integrated turn signals.

Visibility is especially important when carrying a child, particularly at dusk or in bad weather.

Mandatory visibility equipment

French regulations require several items of equipment when cycling. According to service-public.fr:

• Front and rear lights in working order, to be used at night or when visibility is poor.
• Reflectors, especially on the sides of the bike. Tires with approved reflective markings can replace orange side reflectors.
• A high-visibility vest for the rider and passenger when cycling outside built-up areas, at night or when visibility is poor.

This equipment is essential for making sure other road users can see you, especially when visibility is reduced.

Equipment already fitted to Ritmic bikes

Our bikes already come with the essentials. All models have a front light and a rear light with brake light. The Duo, Solo and Jumbo also come with integrated turn signals and an electric horn.

The Duo, Solo and Jumbo also come with Schwalbe Super Moto X tires with reflective sidewalls. A useful detail that helps you stay visible from the side, especially at intersections.

Useful accessories to help you stand out even more

The standard equipment already covers the essentials, but a few accessories can improve your comfort and visibility every day.

Mirrors are particularly handy when you have a child riding behind you. They let you check traffic without having to turn all the way around. We offer the Espion Z56 mirror set, which is useful for anticipating overtaking.

Reflective clothing is also a great addition for both you and your child. A vest, a jacket with reflective strips, or a helmet with a light can make you more visible, especially in winter when it gets dark as soon as school lets out.

These accessories don’t replace the bike’s required equipment, but they provide extra safety for everyday rides.

Riding in the rain with a child: how to gear up

To ride in the rain with a child, bring waterproof clothing, a suitable seat cover, and a few accessories to keep yourself comfortable. Remember to protect your bike too if it’s parked outside.

A child sitting on the back doesn’t pedal. They move around less and can therefore get cold faster than you. To keep riding all year round, it’s best to plan ahead for rain and cold.

For the child

Several options can help keep your child dry and warm during rides:

• Suitable clothing: a rain suit or waterproof trousers and jacket, worn over warm layers. In winter, add mittens and a thin hat that fits under the helmet. Avoid thick hats that prevent a proper fit.
• Protection for the child seat: rain covers and rain bubbles are available that wrap around the seat. Choose a compatible model and make sure it’s securely fastened. No part of the cover should be able to get near the rear wheel.
• A rain canopy for the Jumbo: if you regularly carry your children on our longtail, a cover that protects the entire passenger area may be useful. We’ve tested and approved two models: the Tern Storm Shield and the Yuba Eco Pop Top. You can find them on our compatible accessories page.

For you

For the rider, handlebar mitts are especially practical in fall and winter.

The Basil handlebar mitts attach directly to the handlebars. They protect your hands from wind, cold, and rain while keeping the brakes and controls accessible.

A simple accessory that makes all the difference when temperatures drop, especially if you ride your bike every day.

How to protect your bike from the weather?

Ritmic bikes come with front and rear aluminum fenders, as well as standard skirt guards. They limit water spray and protect the rear wheel area.

If you leave your bike parked outside, we recommend using a protective cover.

We offer a cover compatible with the Solo, Duo, and Yuvy 3. A version specially designed for the Jumbo is also available at the same price.

On the Yuvy 3, you can also add a waterproof saddle cover so your seat is dry after a shower.

Finally, if your bike is left outside, remember to remove its battery and store it indoors, somewhere dry and away from extreme temperatures.

Test your setup before you ride

The best way to check whether a child seat or accessory is right for you is to try it on your bike. This way, you can make sure it fits properly and that you feel comfortable at the handlebars.

At Ritmic, you can try our bikes for free at one of our 150+ partner locations in France. Take the opportunity to ask to see the child seat or platform compatible with the model you’re interested in.

And if possible, bring your passenger! There’s nothing like a real-world test ride to appreciate the comfort, stability, and handling of your future cargo bike.

Find a test ride location near you.