Urban Arrow Family Cargo Bike Review: The Ultimate Car Replacement?

[Bike Shop Girl]

Chime in if you've ridden or own an Urban Arrow Family!

 

[laney]

I haven't ridden and don't own an Urban Arrow, but I'd love to hear from people who have and their primary cargo isn't kids.
The dealer network seems to be the best in the US for a front loading cargo bike, and potentially the best overall front loader available in the states, but is it still the best if you're not moving kids?

 

[Bike Shop Girl]

@laney I used it for years carrying my 60# dog. I know @americanfietser uses it for various things, maybe he can chime in!

 

[americanfietser]

Hey @laney, our household is childless. Both my wife and I use e-cargo bikes for 80%+ of our transportation needs for localized living. My wife has a Tern HSD and appreciates the smaller size of the bike. I have been using an Urban Arrow exclusively as our car replacement since 2021. I have to admit, it's frustrating how much Urban Arrow markets this bike as being for kids, kids, kids. I see e-cargo bikes as primarily car substitutes rather than children chariots as their primary purpose. The Urban Arrow, while having it's faults, is very much a great cargo bike for everything else. The box design with its high sides makes it so easy to take whatever you bought and just toss it in there. Even when you have larger loads, such as boxes that won't fit inside, a bit of work with some straps or bungee cords can hold it down on top of the rails and you can transport whatever you need.

I could likely go on and on about the bike, but it would be unnecessary when I can sum it up simply. Yes, if you want an extremely capable front-loader e-cargo bike to use as your vehicle for local living, go for it. It doesn't matter if it's empty or loaded down with $200 in groceries, it will take great care of you. Pick up the box cover as well to keep your box dry when there's rain or snow. Feel free to reach out if you ever have any specific questions about it. I'm always happy to share what I've learned.

 

[Timberdoodle]

Hey @laney, our household is childless. Both my wife and I use e-cargo bikes for 80%+ of our transportation needs for localized living. My wife has a Tern HSD and appreciates the smaller size of the bike. I have been using an Urban Arrow exclusively as our car replacement since 2021. I have to admit, it's frustrating how much Urban Arrow markets this bike as being for kids, kids, kids. I see e-cargo bikes as primarily car substitutes rather than children chariots as their primary purpose. The Urban Arrow, while having it's faults, is very much a great cargo bike for everything else. The box design with its high sides makes it so easy to take whatever you bought and just toss it in there. Even when you have larger loads, such as boxes that won't fit inside, a bit of work with some straps or bungee cords can hold it down on top of the rails and you can transport whatever you need.

I could likely go on and on about the bike, but it would be unnecessary when I can sum it up simply. Yes, if you want an extremely capable front-loader e-cargo bike to use as your vehicle for local living, go for it. It doesn't matter if it's empty or loaded down with $200 in groceries, it will take great care of you. Pick up the box cover as well to keep your box dry when there's rain or snow. Feel free to reach out if you ever have any specific questions about it. I'm always happy to share what I've learned.

hey do you have a video on your youtube channel giving a stem-to-stern overview of the UA?

if so I tried to find it, but am dumb as a brick, would you mind posting a hyperlink of it?

if not, I would absolutely love to see one. I've been hoping to save up to grab one, and it'd be a great pitch to (ladyfriend). Maybe get her over the hump and be cool with getting picked up for a ride to a Rock Lobstahs game.

(tonight we have tickets, and I'm going to cleverly avoid traffic by ebike and she is going to have to deal with the parking clown show in her car. and I am going to make the most of this dynamic)

 

[americanfietser]

hey do you have a video on your youtube channel giving a stem-to-stern overview of the UA?

if so I tried to find it, but am dumb as a brick, would you mind posting a hyperlink of it?

if not, I would absolutely love to see one. I've been hoping to save up to grab one, and it'd be a great pitch to (ladyfriend). Maybe get her over the hump and be cool with getting picked up for a ride to a Rock Lobstahs game.

(tonight we have tickets, and I'm going to cleverly avoid traffic by ebike and she is going to have to deal with the parking clown show in her car. and I am going to make the most of this dynamic)

I don't have a video on this actually. While I know it would likely be useful for people, I still haven't done it. Mostly because I don't make super high quality productions like some people, so it feels like there would be a better channel for this. My stuff is ridiculously amateur.

 

[nathanomaly]

We just got one a couple weeks ago! Family model with cargo line motor. Had it delivered from Propel Wilmington to our home in Philadelphia. Have the rain cover and baby seat attachments. It will be used to carry our two kids and possibly our dog (?)

Looking forward to connecting to other owners!

 

[Timberdoodle]

oh how does the rain cover look/feel? Also, any owners; is there a drain hole in the bucket in cas you forget a rain cover and there's a big downpour?

 

[nathanomaly]

oh how does the rain cover look/feel? Also, any owners; is there a drain hole in the bucket in cas you forget a rain cover and there's a big downpour?

Rain cover looks and feels great! It makes me feel like I'm carting my 2-year-old son around in his own little spaceship

The bottom of the bucket is line with drainage holes so you don't accidentally end up immersing your cargo in a cold bath whenever it rains.

 

[Timberdoodle]

oh right on. that rain cover. gotcha!

Isn't there like a flat top rain cover that seals up the cargo bucket as well?

 

[nathanomaly]

oh right on. that rain cover. gotcha!

Isn't there like a flat top rain cover that seals up the cargo bucket as well?

Yup! I think this is what you're looking for:

https://urbanarrow.com/en-na/product/accessoires/family-box-cover/

 

[Timberdoodle]

Oh yeah! that's the one!

I think I'd end up getting both cover types if/when I get a UA. my dog would look so splendid in a space ship