Important things you should know about these cargo bikes.
Most can be outfitted with an electric assist motor and be street legal and not require a motorcycle license (check local laws first, though). Some manufacturers, or their authorized retailers, will sell you and install the electric assist motor.
They are heavy - you can most likely not bring these up many stairs without assistance.
They are bulky - you will need a good space for these near ground level. If you have a gangway, ensure you can walk beside the bike as you move through it.
Most, if not all, of these cargo bikes CANNOT be brought onto light rail, rapid transit, or commuter trains (e.g. Caltrain-California, Metra-Chicago), mainly because of their abnormal length. Amtrak, or other long-distance trains where passengers typically have to reserve a space for their bicycle (i.e. buy an extra ticket) may still accept them alongside normal cargo.
Richard Masoner of
Cyclelicious explains that the Caltrain length limit is 80 inches and reports seeing tandem and child trailers aboard.
Caltrain - San Francisco-Palo Alto-San José
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Metra - Chicago, Kenosha, and suburbs
CETMA
Surly
Worksman
WorkCycles
Xtracycle
Yuba
Metrofiets
Madsen
HPM Long John
Larry v. Harry
Ahearne
Joe Bike
all of those odd, or specialty, custom ones….
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