7 useful tips to buy a cargo bike

Bikes \ Transport bikes

Van Raam

Van Raam has several cargo bikes in its range, suitable for children or adults who cannot or do not want to take part in traffic independently. Looking for a cargo bike? We give you 7 useful tips to help you buy a Van Raam cargo bike.

1. Think about your cycling goal

Think about why you want to use a cargo bike and with whom. For example, do you use a wheelchair or do you want to cycle with someone who uses a wheelchair? Then it is important to choose a wheelchair cargo bike. Do you want to cycle with several people? Then a rickshaw cargo bike is more suitable.

Do you want to make longer bicycle trips or just small excursions? Your cycling goal determines how the cargo bike can be put together the best, with for example pedal support or belts.

2. Check out the different cargo bikes

Cargo bikes are ideal because there is always social contact between the rider and the passenger(s). In addition, cargo bikes can be used close to the final destination and increase mobility in an environmentally friendly way.

There are several types of cargo bikes. It is useful to first look for information about the different types before you buy a cargo bike. Van Raam has 3 cargo bikes in its assortment:

Rickshaw bike Chat: With the Chat, one person cycles with one or two passengers. The two passengers sit next to each other in the front in a seat.
Wheelchair bike OPair: The OPair is a wheelchair bike with which you can transport a wheelchair user. A seat for the wheelchair user/passenger is mounted on the front of the bike.
Wheelchair transport bike VeloPlus: The VeloPlus can be used to transport someone in their own wheelchair. The wheelchair is wheeled and secured on the tiltable plate.

3. Make a test ride with a cargo bike

It is important to see and try out a cargo bike in real life before you buy a cargo bike. You can do this during a free test ride at Van Raam. During an appointment at Van Raam's showroom in Varsseveld, a technical advisor will help you. The advisor will show you the different bikes and it is possible to try the bikes outside on the special test track. Do not forget to cycle with the bike, because a cargo bike cycles very different than a regular bike with two wheels.

During the no-obligation appointment you can ask the advisor all your questions and together you will find out which cargo bike suits you best. The advisor will make you an offer.

A test ride on a Van Raam bicycle is also possible at some Van Raam dealers. Please contact a dealer in your area for more information.

4. View the different options

The Van Raam bicycles can be expanded with various options. These options allow you to customize your cargo bike. Think, for example, of pedal support, frame adaptation or SmartGuard tyres.

Check the price list on the product page of the cargo bike of your choice to see which options are available for your bike. During your test ride, be sure to ask about the possible options and try them out before you buy a cargo bike.

Van Raam pedal assist silent smart display — Smart Display to operate the pedal support system

5. Configure your cargo bike using the configurator

At Van Raam, it is possible to put together your own cargo bike. With our online configurator, you can put together a bike that suits your needs in just a few steps.

You can start with the basic model of the cargo bike and add various options. It is also possible to choose an existing configuration. The most popular options are then added to the bike, this configuration can also be adjusted. You can save the configuration and mail it to yourself. With a unique configuration code you can also adjust the assembled cargo bike and take it to a Van Raam dealer when you want to buy a cargo bike.

Configure your cargo bike

7 useful tips to buy a cargo bike Van Raam VeloPlus wheelchair cargo bike — VeloPlus cargo bike with pedal support

6. Read reviews of the cargo bikes

On the Van Raam website there are several reviews/customer experiences of the various cargo bikes. Get to know 'your' cargo bike through the eyes of other cargo bike users:

Customer experience Chat Rikshaw Bike Van Raam Riksja Harderwijk

9 / 10

Customer experience Chat Rikshaw Bike – Riksja Harderwijk

Jan-Willem is a volunteer at Riksja Harderwijk in the Netherlands, where he cycles around with people who cannot cycle independently (anymore). Riksja Harderwijk now owns a Chat Rickshaw Bike of Van Raam and Jan-Willem likes to go out for a ride with passengers. Read all about the Chat and Jan-Willem's experiences in this customer experience.

Read this customer experience

9 / 10

User experience OPair Wheelchair Trike – Adam Pyle

Adam Pyle is 25 years old and has profound Physical and Learning Disabilities. Together with his mum Kate and his dad Graham, he lives in England. In January 2020 they received the OPair Wheelchair Trike. Kate tells us more about Adam and why they bought the OPair Trike.

Read this customer experience

10 / 10

Customer experience VeloPlus electric wheelchair bike - Angelica Malinverni

My name is Angelica Malinverni (49), I come from Italy and I’m the mom of Caterina (24) who has a disability since she was born. We recently purchased the VeloPlus electric wheelchair bike and it has changed our lives! Read more about our experiences here and watch the video of Caterina and the VeloPlus.

Read this customer experience

7. Buy a cargo bike at a Van Raam dealer

You can buy a cargo bike at a Van Raam dealer. Use the dealer locator on the website to find a dealer in your area. After a test ride at Van Raam of the dealer, you can take the offer or your own configuration to the dealer, who will order the bike (together with you).

When your bike is ready, we will deliver it to your dealer. The dealer will make sure the bike gets to you, he will also take care of the warranty and maintenance of your bike.

Find your Van Raam dealer