FAQ: What accessories are available for your cargo bikes?

One of the best things about a cargo bike is how easily it can be adapted to what you need to carry. From kids and groceries to work gear, dogs or the weekly shop, there is a huge range of cargo bike accessories available.

Which accessories will work depends on the style and model of cargo bike you have. We generally divide cargo bikes into utility bikes, midtails, longtails and front loaders. If you're not sure what the difference is, have a look at our guide to choosing the right cargo bike.

As a rough guide, it's worth allowing around 10–20% of the bike price for accessories, particularly if you're setting a bike up to carry children. You certainly don't need everything below, though — we usually recommend starting with the accessories that suit how you'll use the bike day to day.

You can also browse our complete range of cargo bikes and bike accessories.

Common cargo bike accessories

Front racks and baskets

Utility bikes, midtails and longtails

A frame-mounted front rack is one of the most useful additions to a rear-loading cargo bike. Once the back of the bike is occupied by children, a front rack gives you somewhere separate for school bags, groceries, a picnic, work gear or all the other stuff that seems to travel with a family.

Cargo-bike front racks are usually attached to the frame rather than turning with the handlebars. This makes them much more stable with a load than a conventional handlebar-mounted basket.

Browse our racks and hardware, or see the model-specific accessory ranges for Tern, Yuba and Benno.

Cargo boxes and load bays

Front loaders

On a front-loading cargo bike, the cargo area sits between the rider and the front wheel. Depending on the bike, this may be an open platform or a fitted box designed for carrying children, dogs, shopping or bulky gear.

Family-oriented front loaders can often be equipped with seats, harnesses, cushions and weather protection. Others, such as the Bullitt, can be configured with different boxes or platforms depending on whether you're carrying people or cargo.

See our cargo bike range or browse Bullitt accessories.

Panniers and cargo bags

Utility bikes, midtails, longtails and some front loaders

Panniers are one of the easiest ways to add everyday carrying capacity. Cargo-bike panniers are often much larger than conventional touring panniers and can swallow groceries, backpacks and work gear while keeping the top of the rack available for passengers.

Many longtail systems are specifically designed so panniers can remain fitted while carrying children above them. Just make sure the pannier is compatible with your bike, rack and passenger setup.

Browse our bags and panniers.

Child seats

Utility bikes, midtails and longtails

For younger passengers, a proper child seat is usually the place to start. Many of the cargo bikes we sell have rear racks designed to accept compatible child seats directly, making them secure and easy to remove when required.

The right seat depends on your child's size and the mounting system fitted to the bike, so always follow the weight, age and fit requirements specified by both the child-seat and bike manufacturers.

Front-loading family cargo bikes use their own dedicated seating and restraint systems inside the cargo box rather than a conventional rear child seat.

Browse our child seats.

Footboards and footrests

Midtails and longtails

Once children are old enough to ride directly on the rear deck, they'll need somewhere safe and comfortable to put their feet. Full-length footboards are especially useful because they work with a range of passenger positions and seating combinations.

Some bikes use smaller footrests or pegs instead. The important thing is to use the passenger system designed for that particular bike and make sure feet are kept safely away from the rear wheel.

Passenger seat pads

Midtails and longtails

If your passengers are sitting directly on the rear rack, a proper seat pad makes a big difference. Most cargo-bike brands offer pads designed specifically for their rear decks, often in different lengths to suit one or more passengers.

Waterproof or weather-resistant options are particularly useful for a bike that lives outside or gets used every day.

Passenger rails, Monkey Bars and Clubhouses

Midtails and longtails

Passenger rails create a protective frame around the rear deck and give children something solid to hold onto. Different brands use names such as Monkey Bars, Clubhouse or Passenger Rail, but the idea is much the same.

They're particularly useful for carrying younger children who have progressed from a child seat but still benefit from an enclosed passenger area. They can usually be combined with seat pads, footboards and compatible panniers to create a complete family-carrying setup.

Check the accessory system made for your bike: Tern accessories, Yuba accessories or Benno accessories.

Passenger handlebars and grab rails

Utility bikes, midtails and longtails

For older passengers, some cargo bikes can be fitted with a handlebar or grab rail rather than a full surrounding passenger enclosure. This gives them a secure place to hold while making it easier to climb on and off the bike.

Which setup is appropriate depends on the passenger, the bike and the manufacturer's recommendations, so it's worth talking to us if you're transitioning children from a child seat to sitting directly on the rear deck.

Rain covers and weather protection

Front loaders, longtails and some midtails

If your cargo bike is replacing the car for school runs or everyday transport, weather protection can be one of the most worthwhile accessories you buy.

Front loaders can often be fitted with a canopy over the cargo box, while many modern longtails now have excellent rear passenger covers designed specifically for the bike. Systems such as these can keep children sheltered from rain and cold while still providing plenty of ventilation and visibility.

In Wellington's wind it's especially important to use a properly designed cover made for your bike rather than improvising a large generic canopy.

Wheel guards and passenger protection

Midtails and longtails

If you're carrying passengers on the rear of a cargo bike, protecting hands, feet and clothing from the rear wheel is essential. Many dedicated family cargo bikes already include wheel covers or guards, while others require them as part of the passenger kit.

We recommend using the complete passenger setup specified by the bike manufacturer rather than mixing incompatible parts.

Heavy-duty kickstands

Utility bikes, midtails, longtails and front loaders

A stable kickstand becomes much more important when you're loading children or heavy cargo. Most dedicated longtails and front loaders come with a strong centre or double-leg stand, while some smaller utility and midtail bikes can be upgraded to one.

A good cargo-bike stand keeps the bike stable while passengers climb aboard and makes loading groceries or other heavy items much easier. Always use a stand approved for your particular bike and stay within its rated load.

Which accessories do I actually need?

It depends entirely on what you're carrying. A family setup might include a child seat, passenger rails, seat pads, footboards, panniers and weather protection, while someone using a cargo bike for commuting may only need a front rack and a pair of panniers.

Because most cargo-bike accessories are model-specific, the easiest approach is to choose the bike first and then build the carrying setup around it. Have a look at our cargo bikes, browse our accessories, or get in touch with us and tell us what — or who — you'd like to carry.