Electric Bikes With Child Seats: 5 Best Models (With Prices)

Electric bicycles are not merely for tackling morning commutes or tricky terrains on the trail. These versatile green machines are also fit for family journeys.

If you have a young child and want to bring them along for the ride on an e-bike adventure or simply want to drop them off at daycare, then you’ll want an e-bike with a child seat.

In this article, we’ve compiled some of the best models so that you can find one that suits your needs and your budget.

1. Gazelle Makki Load ($5,400)

Gazelle is Holland’s leading brand of e-bikes and have earned their place as a dominant player in the e-bike market by producing some of the most comfortable rides money can buy.

All of the Gazelle range are worthy contenders for your newest electric bicycle, but if you have a family that wants to get in on the action, then Gazelle still have you covered.

The Makki Load is a perfect electric cargo bike that has been designed specifically to suit the needs of parents and children.

The company ensured that they understood what really mattered by asking families for their thoughts while they were in the design process – the result is an e-bike that will make you think twice about whether to use the car to transport the family.

The Gazelle Makki is equipped with what’s called a ‘High Box’, which is where your children will be seated.

The Gazelle Makki’s front-loading High Box is the very definition of peace of mind combined with function. It allows parents to easily keep an eye on the little ones while enabling them to get in and out when stopped.

Moreover, the box itself is strong and safe because of the materials that have been used.

Gazelle has spared no expense by making the High Box out of recyclable, impact-resistant EPP, so your children are in effect, housed within a very large and sturdy bicycle helmet.

Protection is not all that the Makki offers. They’ve also thought about the practicalities of using a fully loaded e-bike by ensuring that you have no problem with the stand.

The Makki’s kickstand has an innovative design that allows you to release it without needing to push or pull and due to its twin legs, there’s no chance it will tumble over when stationary.

As you would expect, the Gazelle Makki is equipped with powerful technology to make each journey a joy.

The Bosch Performance Line motor is coupled with an Envilo Cargo Manual step-less gear system, and, after a full charge of the battery, you can expect to get around 50 miles of smooth riding.

The Makki may come with the High Box that seats 3 children as standard, but you may also want to consider purchasing these additional accessories:

• Rain Hood
• Storage Drawer
• Front Bench Seat
• Cover
• Car seat adapter

Head over to the Gazelle website for up-to-date prices and availability to ensure your Makki is kitted out exactly how your family needs it to be.

2. Fully Charged Tern GSD S10 ($5,399)

The Tern GSD S10 from Fully Charged is a longtail e-cargo bike that can be fitted out for families with children of different age ranges.

This customizable e-bike frame allows for more space, and therefore, more attachments, whether that’s a Thule Yepp Maxi seat for children under five years or even the ‘Captain’s Chair’ for ages up to adulthood.

However, if you have children who are five years and older, then the ‘Clubhouse’ is probably the way to go.

The ‘Clubhouse’ can be upgraded to ‘Clubhouse Fort’ with a storm shield and storm box for the days when the weather is not on your side.

One reviewer equipped the ‘Clubhouse’ for transporting their child on the TernGSD S10 and found that they felt:

“(…) much safer on the roads riding the Tern GSD. There’s something about the smooth, calm speed that makes you feel very secure and stable (…) [AND IT] has revolutionized the school run for me.”

[Source:Cyclehic.co.uk]

Thanks to the adjustability of the Tern GSD S10, parents can swap in and out in terms of who is tasked with the school run. With the ability to change to the stem and handlebars, either parent can enjoy the ride and take on the transportation duties.

The Tern GSD S10 is clearly a real winner for parents who need to get their children from A to B safely and it’s worth pointing out that this fantastic e-bike can carry up to two children with a max weight capacity of 200kg.

This is all made that much easier by way of the Bosch Cargo Line Cruise motor, great suspension, and decent stopping power provided by the Magura sport brake pads.

Please also check out my article about the best electric bikes with dog carriers.

3. Bike Friday Haul-A-Day ($2,095)

If the previous entries seemed a little too pricy, then maybe the Bike Friday Haul-A-Day will suit your budget a little better.

At only $2,095.00, it’s less than half the price of both the Tern and the Makki, but this affordable, family-transporting e-bike has what it takes to hold up against its competitors.

In order to take your little ones on e-bike journeys, you’ll also need to purchase the correct add-ons. For example, the ‘Whoopee Deux Bar for two kids’ will set you back $175.00.

However, if you want to ensure you have what you need for a growing family, then a good option is to purchase the Family Accessory Package, which comes with the following and costs an extra $529.00:

• Whoopee Deux Bar
• Rack top
• Seat pad
• Footrests
• Front basket

One major feature of the Haul-A-Day is that it can fit any parent due to its nifty adjustable frame. You can adjust the seat post, seat mast, handlebars, and, amazingly, the actual frame size.

This means the Haul-A-Day can be re-adjusted in minutes for Mom, Dad, older brother or sister, and even Grandma if necessary!

The Haul-A-Day can, as standard take a max load of 420 lbs (including the rider), but if that’s not enough and you and your kids need a little more capacity, then the heavier load upgrade will allow you to carry up to 510 lbs.

To ensure that your Haul-A-Day really can make family outings on an e-bike a breeze, Bike Friday has installed:

• 5 levels of pedal assist
• A mid-drive motor for a natural ride
• Integrated LED lights for being seen out and about

The 36V lithium-ion battery will, after a single charge, give you a range of around 55 miles, which should be more than enough to get the family where they need to go.

However, this battery is no powerhouse, and although the mid-drive motor is favored by many, it can involve extra maintenance.

Nevertheless, when it comes to value for money, the Haul-A-Day is truly tough to beat and its lightweight build makes it much more portable than other cargo bikes on the market.

4. Aventon Level E-Bike ($1799)

Cheaper still, the Aventon level E-Bike is next up on our list – and rightfully so.

For riders who do not wish to have to switch to a cargo e-bike in order to travel with their child, then the Aventon equipped with a Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi may well be your best choice.

The Aventon Level has a sleek and comfortable design of a classic e-bike fit for maneuvering smoothly through city streets.

The Aventon Level, even with a child seat attached, is a far cry away from the heavy cargo bikes that really need the electric assist.

Moreover, once your child no longer needs to be ferried around with you, then it is just a simple matter of disconnecting the Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi and you’re riding the type of e-bike that is right for you.

The Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi, available from the Aventon website along with the e-bike in question, is quick to attach and has an adjustable harness that means your most precious cargo is properly strapped in.

You’ll also find that it’s tough, durable, water-repellent, shock-absorbing, and has footrests and straps.

The Thule Yepp Nexxt Maxi is compatible with every one of the Aventon e-bikes via the rear rack. However, nomanbefore.com tested the Aventon Level with a variety of child seats and decided that:

“If you’re looking for an electric bike with child seat, I think the Aventon Level is the best option!”

The reviewers also recommended the Burley Dash Rack Mount Child Seat and the Topeak Babyseat II with Disc Compatible Rack as great options for use with the Aventon Level.

The Aventon Level is a particularly good choice to consider due to the unmistakable quality of the Aventon line.

The Level is actually an improvement upon the flagship commuter hybrid model and is equipped with a torque sensor, LCD display, front suspension, a 500W motor, pedal assist, and throttle.

5. Xtracycle Swoop ($4,999)

If you want an e-bike that can transport up to three children, then make sure you take a look at the Xtracycle Swoop.

This is a highly customizable cargo bike that doesn’t skimp on quality.

This e-bike is in the longtail family and with the addition of both the Thule Yepp Maxi and/or the Hooptie cage, you have multiple transportation options at your disposal.

With a mid-drive Shimano EP8 motor that you’d expect to find on an e-mountain bike, hydraulic disc brakes, and a 630Wh battery, you can see where your money is going when you decide to purchase an Xtracycle Swoop as your family e-bike.

Your little passengers will also be treated to both comfort and safety, with the Hooptie rail system offering protection and the seating area padded and kitted out with a backrest.

The major complaint aimed at the Xtracycle Swoop is that it lacks a throttle. It’s important to note that this is a pedal assist-only bike, so pushing off with all of your kids in tow may require some effort.

You’ll get U-Tube footrests for your young passengers as standard, as well as sling bags for all their belongings. But, you will need to fork out extra if you want to give them handrail options or the MagicCarpet seat cushion.

With a max carrying capacity of 400 lbs and a max range of 30-60 miles, the Xtracycle Swoop is a family bike that is ready for a whole range of adventures.

Moreover, the customizable seating options, although they need to be purchased, offer you the ability to change up your e-bike setup as your family grows.

Sources

Best All-Around Family Electric Bike with Child Seat: Aventon Level E-Bike

The Best Electric Cargo Bikes for Families

Review of the Tern GSD S10 Electric Cargo Bike

Family Bikes: 9 Best Cargo Bikes For Hauling Your Kids