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Did you know you can ride a cargo bike in all seasons, even winter? I know it sounds wild to even consider riding a bike in freezing temperatures, especially with little kids on board, but it can be done!
Cargo bikes were designed in the Netherlands, where it is snowy, dark, and cold for many months of the year. Cargo bike enthusiasts in Northern Europe are used to riding their families in cold weather, even through the snow! Thinking of those snowy bike rides with kids in Amsterdam made me realize that I could ride my bike in the mild winter months of Alameda, California, even if it drops below freezing once in a while.
Riding your family in a cargo bike can be fun even when the weather is cold if you have the right gear. Here are some tips on how to ride your cargo bike in the winter months this year:
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What to wear while riding a cargo bike in winter
Jacket
Keep your body warm with the right coat. Make sure the coat is windproof or waterproof because, as previously mentioned, the wind you create while riding your bike will seep right through your cozy fleece or sweatshirt, making for a chilly and uncomfortable ride.
We recommend that you wear layers!
- Outer shell to block the wind
- Mid-layer of puffy or fleece
- Waterproof layer on the rainy days
- Ensure everything has a zipper so you can prevent overheating
On most days I wear a raincoat over my fleece, but on extra chilly days I opt for a longer jacket that goes below my waist to keep my bottom warm on the seat as well.
Gloves
Even in slightly cooler weather, your hands sit on the handlebars and are constantly being hit by wind generated while the bike is in motion.
Get yourself some waterproof or windproof gloves. Normal knit gloves don’t work as well on a bike because the wind blows right through the cute purls and knits of the fabric. Check out these gloves by Mountain Hardwear, a personal favorite of mine and my partner for biking and hiking.
If you use a phone mount on your bike, make sure to buy gloves that allow you to use a touch screen, otherwise you’ll have to take your gloves off in order to use your phone (while stopped, of course).
Neck gaiter or scarf
Like your hands, your face will be exposed to the wind created as you ride your bike and cold wind will feel like ice after long exposure.
Wear a scarf or a neck gaiter to protect your neck and to hide the lower half of your face while riding. We love neck gaiters by Turtle Fur.
Ear warmers
Depending on the size of your helmet, beanies may or may not fit underneath. I prefer to wear a thin wool headband under my Thousand helmet to keep my ears warm while riding.
Some jacket hoods can fit over a bike helmet. When I wear a hood over my helmet, I find that the wind blows it off, so I prefer to wear something under the helmet to keep warm.
How to dress kids for a winter cargo bike ride
Jackets, scarves, mittens
Make sure your kids are wearing the same amount of warm clothing as you, the rider. Give them warm coats, scarves, and mittens—if they will wear them.
Do not skimp just because they are in the cargo box, or because they resist putting on jackets because they are “not cold.” Trust me, they will be cold once the bike ride starts, and then you’ll be on your way already and they will be miserable the whole time. As a result, you will be, too. Please learn from my mistakes!
Blankets
Pack a blanket or two for extra warmth. Kiddos can either share a blanket and snuggle together while they ride, or, if your kids are like mine, they may prefer their own blanket.
Either way, my children rarely want to wear gloves, so the blanket is a way for them to warm their hands without you having to fight them to put warm clothing on.
I keep a fleece throw blanket in the bike for chilly days, while many cargo bike enthusiasts love to use Larks Bike Blankets.
Consider extra winter bike accessories
Each cargo bike company makes different accessories for each bike model. Some are designed for all-weather riding. I use and recommend:
Padded bike seats
The padded bike seats add a little extra cushion for bumps along the road as well as warmth, compared to a hard wooden seat. We use these bike seats on our Ferla cargo bike.
Rain cover
I rarely ride the bike in the rain, so our rain cover has instead been used as a little tent to keep my kids warm while we ride in cold weather.
Inside the thin, see-through shelter, the kids are blocked from the wind, retain and share more of their body heat, and can still see and interact with the world around them. Extra bonus: if it starts to rain or snow, they will stay dry! We love our fully enclosed rain canopy from Ferla Family Bikes.
Biking in Snow
We don’t have snow on the ground in the winter here in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, but we do have frost!
Check out REI’s tips to winterize your bike for all seasons.
A cargo bike is an expensive investment, so why not try and get the most use out of it all year round? If I am warm, and my kids are warm, the bike ride during the winter months in the San Francisco Bay Area is actually enjoyable!
During our cargo bike rides in December, my kiddos delight at seeing our neighborhood decorated in holiday lights, shouting for me to slow down so they can see better or wave at Santa. As the year rolls on, they look forward to finding Valentine’s Day or Easter decorations, and marvel at the flowers that start to bloom and the trees that change color.
Slow down with your family and enjoy the winter from the view of your cargo bike this year. And send us a comment when you find the right gear that works for you!
Puerto Rican & Indigenous mama of two. Bay Area native. Salsa dancer. Backpacker. Doula. Angel (she/her/hers) is a co-founding member of the Beautiful Brown Adventures team. She has traveled to over 30 countries and loves to explore the world with her two daughters & partner - one ice cream shop at a time.
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