Picture of my electric cargo bike with a 'Green Party' sticker on the back.

My electric cargo bike.

I use this as a bike as a general-purpose car replacement, as well as volunteering and long-distance cycle challenges and trips. It has a maximum average power-assisted range of 60 miles on a single charge, assuming the lowest power-assist setting, up to 20 miles per charge for the highest power-assist setting.

Unlike most people who buy ‘car-replacement’ bikes, I ACTUALLY use this as a car replacement. As in, I don’t own a car. In the country.

This necessitates a lot of investment and planning put into the configuration and operation of the bike because it is much easier ‘said than done’ to use a bike instead of a car in this situation!

I have configured it so that I can move large objects and cargo similar to a small car, and cycle and navigate safely and comfortably in all weathers, as well as use it as an exercise machine to keep fit and lose weight.

Picture of my cargo bike on a rail train, looking a bit out of place due to its size

My cargo bike on the train!

  • Tern 2024 Quick Haul Long D9 Electric Cargo Bike (road legal, top electric-assisted speed 15mph, max. pull 415lbs)
  • Hornit Electric bike horn
  • Trek Ion Pro RT ANT+ front light (main light)
  • CatEye AMPP 400 front light (backup/emergencies)
  • RAM grip quick release handlebar phone holder, with vacuum mount
  • Bike bell
  • Tern cargo hitch for bike trailers
  • Schwalbe Pick-up Super Defence Addix E Cargo Tyres (main tires for the year)
  • Schwalbe Marathon Road Bike Winter Studded Tires (tires for the winter)
  • Telescopic stool for breaks
  • 4x small Vacuum thermos flasks for water/cold liquid
  • Shimano B05S Disc Brake Pads and Spring Steel Backed Resin (MPQ25)
  • Burgtec Penthouse MK5 Flat Steel Mountain bike Pedals Burgtec Black

Helmet Gear

  • Rockbros rechargeable e-bike helmet with built-in (powerful) LED front light with up and down action so not to blind drivers, and rear and side lights
  • TECHALOGIC DC-1. Dual Lens Helmet mounted Camera for recording cycle incidents - records both the front and back
  • Flare RT rear ANT+ smart light mounted on rear of helmet

Trailer Gear

  • Burley Bike Trailer - Flatbed Cargo Bike Trailer that can be folded up
  • Flag for visibility
  • Busch+Müller 331BS Secula Removable Battery-powered Permanent Rear Light for trailer
  • Bike trailer tires - Schwalbe Marathon Plus HS440 Rigid Tyre - 16 x 1.35, 35-349
Picture of my cargo bike and trailer, in a sideways view

My cargo bike and trailer.

Cargo/Hauling Gear

  • 2x 51 litre Tern panniers with supportive Tern cargo deck frame, cable tied in
  • Tern cargo tray
  • Several Eurocrates for hauling cargo
  • Lots of cargo ties for securing cargo while hauling
  • Tern extended stability cargo kickstand
  • Burley Bike Trailer Cargo Bungee Net

Electronic gear linked to cycle computer

  • KAROO Hammerhead Cycle Computer
  • ANT+ Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor – ANT Plus, Bluetooth - Waterproof HR Sensor with Chest Strap
  • ANT+ Garmin VARIKA RTL515 Back light and Rear bike radar
  • SHOKZ OpenRun Bone Conduction Headphones, Open-Ear Bluetooth Sports Earphones with Mic, IP67 Waterproof Wireless Headset for Running and Workout, 8H Playtime, USB-C - Black, Sport headband
  • ANT+ bike lights - Trek Ion Pro RT mounted on front bar and Flare RT on rear of helmet

Software Used

I use Komoot to plan routes, then import them into the Hammerheard Karoo Web interface that syncs the route down to my cycle computer. I use Strava to record journeys for posterity and later analysis, and also to try and keep in the habit of keeping going out on the bike.

Picture of a Strava logged route map showing me taking some cardboard to the dump and getting lost along the way

Taking some cardboard to the dump and getting lost along the way.

Emergency Gear

  • Military compass and map of the Lancashire area
  • Emergency compact bivvy bag
  • Compact fibre towel
  • Complete Cycle tools for changing a tire
  • Puncture repair kit
  • Spare inner tubes
  • Penlight flashlight
  • Spare Tern battery charger
  • Swiss army knife
  • Electric tire pump
  • First aid kit
  • Retro Nokia 4G Emergency phone and 2x Vodafone PAYG SIMs with £10 each on them
Picture of my cargo bike on top of a hill somewhere in the South Ribble.

On top of a hill somewhere in the South Ribble.

Clothes and Gear

A good set of cycling clothes is essential for comfortable all-weather all-year cycling, even in an area with a relatively ‘mild’ climate such as the North West.

  • Fingerless MTB gloves for warmer weather
  • Luminous yellow winter cycling gloves
  • 2x Goretex water-resistant high-vis cycle jackets
  • Light backpack suitable for cycling
  • Thermal ’long johns’
  • Leg and arm warmers
  • 3x Water Resistant cycling trousers
Picture of a man (David Craddock) wearing a cycle helmet with a long tubular helmet camera running from the front to back that looks slightly silly.

A dangerous man.

Security

  • Helmet camera that records front and back all journey
  • 1x LiteLock X1 Angle-grinder Resistant Bike Locks (Diamond Motorbike Solid Secure Rated)
  • 1x Hiplok DX (Gold Motorbike Solid Secure Rated / Diamond Bicycle Solid Secure Rated)
  • CycleRegister security marking kit
  • Immobilise security marking kit
  • Tile tracker tags on as much as my regular equipment as possible.
  • Wearable body cam similar to that which is worn by bouncers and police officers, I don’t use this often anymore, since I no longer live in inner-city Manchester!
  • Insurance. Lots of insurance.

Training / Certifications

  • I have achieved ‘Bikeability Level 3 ’ as an adult, verified in December 2024, which is the most widely accepted form of road-ready cycle training and certification. Level 3 focuses in cycling safely in heavy traffic. This qualifies me to hire Electric Cargo Bikes.
  • I have studied books and Driving Theory test material to learn how to navigate roads and read road signs, approximately to the level of a driving theory test, although I don’t officially hold a driving licence.
  • I have been DBS checked and have a clean record.
  • I attended a free 3 hour Cycle Maintaince course organised by the council.

I am keen to go on further maintaince courses, and also a first aid course.