Which electric cargo bike should you choose for your needs?

Which electric cargo bike should you choose for your needs? The answer lies less in the spec sheet than in your day-to-day life. Who will you carry? How many kilometers do you ride each day? Where do you park your bike at night?

A parent who drops their child off at daycare alone doesn’t have the same needs as a family that has just sold its second car. Nor does an employee who tackles 12 km of hills on the way to work.

At Ritmic (formerly Elwing), our range includes four compact cargo bikes: two two-seaters, a one-seater, and a longtail. Here’s how to find the bike that fits your life, use case by use case, with a summary table to help you decide at a glance.

Which cargo bike should you choose based on the number of passengers?

Before choosing your electric cargo bike, think about who you want to carry. The Duo, Yuvy 3, and Solo can carry one adult and one young child in addition to the rider. The Jumbo is the only one that can carry two young children in seats or two juniors. The Solo, meanwhile, carries just one passenger.

For children, we distinguish between two setups. A young child, under 110 cm and weighing up to 22 kg, rides in a suitable child seat. A junior, over 110 cm, can sit directly on the two-person saddle, on a junior child seat or on a passenger cushion.

Living without a car (or without a second car): the Duo or the Jumbo

To replace a second car, choose a compact cargo bike that can carry the whole family: the Duo if you ride with another adult and a young child, the Jumbo if you carry two children. Both can carry up to 180 kg, excluding the bike’s weight, and offer up to 115 km of range with the Long Range battery.

School, grocery shopping, Wednesday activities… Many everyday trips are under 5 km. Yet according to an ADEME study published in April 2026, nearly 60% of these journeys are still made by car. That’s a lot of opportunities to switch to a cargo bike!

In big cities, habits are already changing. In Paris, only one in three households owns a car (INSEE, 2019 data).

An adult and a baby on board: the Duo

The Duo is a two-seat e-bike that can carry up to three people: the rider, a passenger on the saddle, and a young child in a rear seat. It is suitable for cyclists between 1.60 m and 1.95 m tall.

What makes it special? A long saddle where the passenger sits at the same height as the rider. At the back, a MIK platform available as an accessory allows you to install a child seat.

Imagine a family outing: one parent at the handlebars, the other on the two-seat saddle, and the baby comfortably settled in their seat. The Duo also works with two children of different ages. The older child, if taller than 110 cm, sits directly on the long saddle, behind the rider. The younger child rides in their baby seat at the back. The folding footrests have two positions to accommodate a child’s height.

Looking for a more affordable alternative? The Yuvy 3 is also a two-seat cargo bike and allows the same configurations in a simpler, more affordable version, featuring, among other things, a single-speed drivetrain.

Transporting two young children: the Jumbo

The Jumbo is our compact longtail electric cargo bike. Its extended rear rack supports up to 80 kg and adapts as your family grows.

• Two young children, each in a compatible baby seat.
• A young child and an older child, with a baby seat and a cushion or compatible junior seat.
• Two older children, seated on cushions with the junior passenger kit, or on compatible junior seats

The Jumbo can also carry an adult and a young child, within the 80 kg limit for the rear rack.

The side-opening safety rail and footrests are available as accessories. And thanks to the low step-through frame, getting on the bike is easy, even when you need to carry the children and their belongings.

Two-seat e-bike or longtail: what’s the difference?

An electric two-seater, such as the Duo or Yuvy 3, has a long shared seat for the rider and an adult passenger. A longtail, such as the Jumbo, has an extended rear rack for carrying several children or bulky loads.

Both are electric cargo bikes, but they’re designed to meet different needs. The two-seater prioritizes comfort for riding with a passenger, while the longtail offers more options for carrying children and belongings.

However, beware of “two-seaters” sold without certification. An electrically assisted bicycle must meet the applicable regulatory requirements, including the NF EN 15194 standard. All our models are certified. To better understand the differences, read our guide to identifying a certified bike.

Can't decide between our two two-seaters? Check out our Yuvy 3 vs. Duo comparison.

Shopping and everyday loads

You can also do your shopping by bike without a car! The large front basket, measuring 35 × 35 × 20 cm, holds up to 20 kg. At the rear (or front), Basil MIK crates attach and detach in seconds, so you can configure your bike to suit your everyday needs.

That way, you can easily switch from the school run and commute to your evening shopping trip. To put together your setup, check out our accessory picks for the Duo and the Jumbo.

Going on vacation with your cargo bike

Living without a car day to day doesn’t mean giving up vacations away from home. Our bikes can be transported on a suitable tow-bar bike rack.

That way, you can take your bike on vacation, to a rental or to visit friends and family, and keep getting around on two wheels once you’re there.

Solo parent with a toddler: Solo, Yuvy 3, or Jumbo

For riding alone with a young child, choose a compact, stable bike that's easy to handle. The Solo is suitable if you're carrying one child. The Yuvy 3 or Duo can comfortably carry a second passenger every day, including a child if you add the MIK baby seat platform. The Jumbo is better suited if you need to carry two young children in seats.

Three things make a difference in everyday use: how easy it is to install the child seat, riding comfort with a passenger, and the space available to park and charge your bike.

Which model for one child?

The Yuvy 3, Solo, and Duo are the shortest models in our range, at 1.82 m and 1.85 m long. They are especially appealing if you're looking for a compact cargo bike that's easy to park.

The Solo's MIK HD rear rack can accommodate a cMIK HD baby seat directly, such as the Urban Iki Ta-ke MIK HD.

Starting at €2,399, the Yuvy 3 lets you install a baby seat on a rear platform, behind the two-person saddle. The saddle remains free for an adult or, later, a child over 110 cm tall.

The Duo offers the same options, with more features: 7 speeds and integrated turn signals.

And what if you have a second child?

If your family grows, you won't necessarily need to change bikes. It all depends on your children's ages and heights.

If your older child is over 110 cm tall, they can sit directly on the Yuvy 3 or Duo's two-person saddle while the younger one rides in a baby seat at the rear.

However, if both your children still need to ride in baby seats, the Jumbo is the right model. It can accommodate two baby seats on its rack, which you can replace with cushions as they grow.

The Solo can carry only one passenger, either an adult or a child in a baby seat or on a cushion.

Good to know: conversion kits let you upgrade certain Ritmic bike configurations, including converting a Solo to a Duo or a Jumbo to a Duo. The bike can adapt to the different stages of your family life.

Daily rides and commutes: the Solo or the Duo

For commuting by bike, the Solo is ideal if you ride mainly alone, while the Duo can also carry a passenger. Both have 7 speeds, an 80 Nm motor, and a range of up to 115 km.

The choice depends mainly on your route: its distance, terrain, and how often you carry someone.

Does your route include hills?

If you regularly ride on uphill streets, choose a model with multiple gears. The Solo, Duo, and Jumbo feature an 80 Nm motor, 5 assistance modes, and a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain.

This combination lets you adjust your effort to the terrain and makes it easier to get around hilly cities and suburbs.

What range can you expect for 15 to 30 km a day?

With the Standard battery, the Solo and Duo offer a range of up to 75 km. With the Long Range battery, this can reach up to 115 km.

If you ride 15 km to work and the same distance back, you can make several trips before recharging. However, keep in mind that actual range varies depending on the terrain, the load, the weather, and the assistance mode selected.

The removable battery can be charged at home or at the office. Charging takes around 7 hours 30 minutes for the Standard battery and 10 hours for the Long Range battery.

Getting properly equipped for your bike commute

To carry your work essentials, our 2-in-1 pannier backpack attaches to your bike while you ride, then can be worn on your back when you arrive. The soft mesh central basket keeps your bike lock and other small essentials within easy reach.

In traffic, the Solo and Duo have integrated turn signals and an 80-lux front light. The start-assist trigger also makes it easier to get going again at traffic lights, especially on uphill roads.

What practical criteria should you check before choosing a cargo bike?

Beyond the number of passengers and your trips, the bike’s dimensions and certain features can influence your choice.

Where to park your bike when you live in an apartment?

Ritmic cargo bikes are between 1.80 m and 1.85 m long and 70 cm wide. They are therefore significantly more compact than many traditional cargo bikes. For comparison, a classic longtail is often between 2.10 m and 2.20 m long, while a front-loader can exceed 2.60 m (Automobile Propre, 2026).

This makes it easier to find a place for our bikes in a bike storage room, courtyard, or garage.

And when it comes to charging, you don’t need an outlet near the bike: the battery is removable. You can remove it in seconds and charge it right in your apartment.

Features that make all the difference when riding alone with a child

Carrying a child requires a little more planning, especially when starting and braking. Several features on our bikes are designed to make these rides easier:

• Approved start-assist throttle: it lets you get the bike moving at up to 6 km/h without pedaling. Handy for pulling away at a red light, even with a load or on a hill.
• Removable, lockable battery: it weighs between 4 and 5.5 kg and charges from a standard outlet. You can carry it into your home without having to move the bike.
• 4-piston hydraulic brakes: paired with 180 mm rotors, they provide powerful, progressive braking, especially useful when riding with a child.
• Integrated skirt guards: they protect the rear wheel area to keep passengers’ feet and clothing away from it.

What budget should you plan for based on your passengers?

Depending on who you want to carry, certain accessories may be required. Baby seat, child seat, passenger cushion, footrests, etc. Here’s the total budget to plan for each Ritmic setup, with the standard battery and essential equipment.

Retail prices on ritmic.co in October 2026. The Long-Range battery costs an additional €200. Comfort accessories (backrest, extra footrests, baskets) are optional.

Buy or rent depending on how you use it

If you want to try life without a car, renting gives you time to make sure it’s the right choice. If you already know your cargo bike will be used every day, buying may be more cost-effective over time.

At Ritmic, several options are available:

• Rent for 1, 2 or 3 years. Our long-term rental plan also includes an option to buy the rented bike at the end of the contract.
• Pay in installments. You can pay for your bike in 2, 3 or 4 interest-free installments, or choose financing over 10 to 84 monthly payments.
• Trade in your old bike. We offer a trade-in service for all brands.
• Take advantage of purchase incentives. Depending on your city, region and circumstances, grants can reduce the price of your electric cargo bike. Our calculator lets you estimate the available incentives in one minute.

You can also choose a refurbished bike, depending on the models available.

The right cargo bike is chosen on the road

Found the model that’s right for you? The best way to confirm your choice is to take it for a test ride!

At Ritmic, you can test our bikes for free at one of our more than 150 partner locations in France.

If possible, bring your passenger or the people who will ride with you. You can ask to try a bike fitted with a child seat. A real-world test ride is the best way to assess its stability, comfort and handling.

All our models are approved and meet the requirements for electrically assisted bicycles, including the NF EN 15194 standard. They come with a 2-year warranty, including the frame, and can be serviced through our partner network.

Find a test ride location near you.