I’ve been cycling for about eight years now, and in that time I’ve ridden just about everything — mountain bikes, folding bikes, hybrids, gravel bikes, and even a couple of e-MTBs. But nothing, and I mean nothing, has changed the way I explore Wales quite like my electric cargo bike.
If you asked me ten years ago whether I’d be riding something big enough to carry groceries, picnic gear, camera equipment and the occasional niece or nephew, I would’ve laughed. The idea of a bicycle designed to haul stuff seemed, at the time, almost comical.
But the first time I took a cargo ebike down through Cardiff city centre, cutting past the traffic on Castle Street and rolling straight into the heart of Cardiff Market without the usual search for parking — I understood immediately why these bikes are becoming such a big part of modern urban transport.
Today, whether I’m doing my weekly fruit-and-veg run at Riverside Market, heading out to Penarth Marina for lunch, or taking a long slow ride across the Gower coast, my ebike cargo setup has become a dependable companion. It’s a way of travelling that’s practical, sustainable, and surprisingly fun.
Here’s the story of how an e-cargo e-bike became the most useful piece of kit I’ve ever owned — and how it transformed the way I travel across Wales.
My first real experience with an electric cargo bike wasn’t even here in Wales — it was in Australia. I’d been visiting a mate in Sydney who worked in the cycling industry and was testing a range of commuter and utility e-bikes. One afternoon he said, “Let’s take the cargo bikes to the beach.” I looked at him like he was mad.
“These things are huge. Why not just take the car?”
“Trust me,” he said. “You’ll get it once you ride one.”
He was right.
Within ten minutes, we were cruising over the Pyrmont Bridge, effortlessly carrying beach chairs, towels, and a full cooler. People stared at us with curiosity and a bit of envy. And although I was thousands of miles from home, breathing in the warm Australian air, I realised instantly: this thing would be brilliant in Wales.
Ironically, the model we used was available through BikesOnline AU, and even now I still see it mentioned in reviews and cycling circles. It’s funny how a simple holiday ride can plant the seed for a much bigger lifestyle shift.
When I returned to Wales, I couldn’t stop thinking about how perfect a cargo ebike Australia style setup would be for the Welsh lifestyle — the markets, the coast, the hills, the compact cities, the narrow lanes. And that’s when the search began.
Cardiff is a city that welcomes cycling in a way few cities do. It’s compact, lively, and full of lanes and shortcuts that make riding feel intuitive. I’d been cycling here for years, but once I switched to an e-cargo e-bike, the city opened up in a completely new way.
Most Saturdays, I ride from Canton into the city centre to stock up on fresh produce. Before, it required panniers, a rucksack, and awkward balancing. Now? Everything goes into the front box or rear rack:
With pedal-assist, even a fully loaded bike feels manageable. The ebike cargo design makes carrying weight feel almost effortless. Rolling through the Hayes and over to Bute Park afterwards feels like part of the ritual.
If you know Cardiff’s Riverside Sunday Market, you know parking is a nightmare in the morning. With the cargo bike, I ride right up to the stalls, park in seconds, and avoid everything that usually makes weekend outings stressful.
The narrow lanes behind Cathedral Road, the shaded paths near Sophia Gardens, the cycleway running past Pontcanna Fields — all feel purpose-built for a bike that carries half your week’s shopping with zero fuss.
Once I’d settled into using my electric cargo bike for city errands, it was time to do what every Welsh rider eventually does: take it to the coast.
The first test was simple — a ride around Cardiff Bay, across the Barrage, and into Penarth Marina. The wind coming off the water can be brutal, but with pedal-assist, you barely notice it. That extra push turns a blustery headwind into nothing more than a fresh breeze.
I stopped by the marina for a coffee and parked the cargo bike near the boats. I realised then how many people were looking at it — curious, surprised, impressed. One older gentleman said:
“Looks like you’ve brought half your house with you!"
I laughed, because honestly, it felt like I had.
The climb up the Penarth cliff is something I’ve done on a normal bike before, and it can be punishing. But on an electric cargo bike, even with a bit of weight in the back, the climb feels smooth and steady. Not effortless, but empowering.
Riding further towards Sully or even Barry becomes a gorgeous coastal route filled with sea views, quiet lanes, and the kind of peaceful riding that makes you forget you’re close to a city.
On one memorable weekend, I strapped picnic gear, a blanket, my camera, and a small portable stove onto the cargo bike and headed to the Gower. The mixed terrain — gravel, tarmac, woodland paths, coastal trails — became the perfect place to truly test how versatile this bike could be.
I reached Oxwich Bay with enough gear for two people, even though I was riding alone. That’s when it hit me:
These bikes turn every ride into an adventure — even the mundane ones.
Wales has a landscape that lends itself beautifully to this kind of cycling. The mixture of hills, coastal roads, market towns, and compact cities creates the perfect environment for utility biking.
Here’s why:
Wales is stunning, but let’s be honest — it’s not flat. A regular cargo bike would be a challenge in some parts. But an electric cargo bike turns steep climbs into steady, enjoyable ascents.
A sudden gust of wind? No issue.
A wet morning? Still fine.
A heavy load plus rain? The bike handles it.
Wales loves markets — Cardiff, Swansea, Abergavenny, Conwy, you name it. A cargo ebike makes visiting them all completely practical.
Wales has become more sustainability-focused, and cycling offers a greener, quieter transport alternative.
Especially in older Welsh towns, using an ebike cargo setup is easier than manoeuvring a car through tight spaces.
Another big reason I fell in love with cargo e-bikes is simple: They save an incredible amount of money.
With fuel prices rising and parking fees getting sillier every year, using a bike for the majority of my transport has saved me hundreds — probably thousands — over the past couple of years. Charging the bike costs almost nothing. Maintenance is minor. And the freedom of not relying on a car every day is something I didn’t realise I needed.
There’s also a wonderful simplicity in rolling up to Cardiff Bay, parking the bike in seconds, and walking straight into a restaurant or café. No circling for a spot. No parking tickets. No stress.
It’s funny, but sometimes when researching cargo bike options or reading reviews, I still find myself on Australian sites like BikesOnline AU, comparing models and reading updates on the cargo ebike Australia market. It shows that this movement isn’t just local — it’s global.
Australia’s cycling culture has influenced a lot of modern cargo designs, and many of the brands thriving there are also becoming popular in the UK and across Europe. It’s all part of a wider shift: people are moving away from car-centric living and embracing practical, enjoyable, eco-friendly bikes.
After eight years of riding in Wales, and now several years of using a cargo ebike, I’ve realised the reason I love it goes beyond practicality.
It's freedom.
Freedom to explore.
Freedom from traffic.
Freedom from unnecessary stress.
Freedom to carry what I want, go where I want, and take my time doing it.
There’s something liberating about gliding through Bute Park with the river beside you, or rolling across the Barrage with the sea breeze in your face, knowing that everything you need — shopping, gear, personal belongings — is packed neatly in the bike.
It’s not just transport anymore. It's a lifestyle. It’s rhythm. It’s part of daily life.
Wales has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, and riding a cargo e-bike has made me appreciate them in a deeper, more connected way. From the bustling charm of Cardiff Market to the sweeping coastal views of the Gower, every trip feels like a tiny adventure.
I never expected a bike to change so much about how I live — but here we are. My car stays parked most days. My weekend rides are longer. My market trips are easier. My connection to Wales feels richer.
