Cargo Bikes

Cargo Bike now on Bike to Work Scheme.

Regular cargo bikes and e-cargo bikes have been around for some time now, but the differ vastly in both style and use. The finance bill 2022 announced a new exemption limit for the Bike to Work scheme to include an upper limit of €3,000 for the purchase of a cargo bike or e-cargo bike and necessary safety equipment.

What is a Cargo Bike?

The definition of a cargo bike is contained in Section 8 of the Finance Bill 2022

This provides that "cargo bicycle" means a bicycle with a special purpose frame which has been designed to carry large or heavy loads, or passengers other than the rider, by means of a bulk storage capacity container or platform integrated into, or affixed to, the frame of the bicycle, in front of or behind the rider.

Find out more

The different types of Cargo & E-Cargo bikes:

  • - Front Loading
  • - Rear Loading
  • - Long Tail
  • - Long John

Cargo Bike Descriptions:

Front Loading / Long John – Bucket Bikes

Long John cargo bikes are heavy duty front loaders that traditionally have bucket style storage space or seating in the front. These cargo bikes come with many different accessories from rain covers to tents to keep the worst of the weather at bay and many different types of child seats and benches to keep your children secure and safe.

Rear Loaders / Long Tails

Long tail cargo bikes come with a long extended rear carrier or tail. These bikes are narrower and don’t require as much storage space (they will fit in a regular bike rack). Designed to carry both cargo and children, rear loaders come with many seating options for children including fitted seats and bench seating with safety side bars. .

Commercial Cargo Bikes & Trikes

Becoming more common in use, you may have noticed the new An Post electric cargo fleet or e-cargo deliveries especially in our cities. Most often in the tricycle style for additional stability, though both Long John and Long Tail cargo bikes are being used for commercial ‘last mile’ deliveries. ‘Micro Mobility’ and ‘Sustainable Transport’ have become popular terms for businesses looking to reduce their carbon impact, saving money on traditional delivery fleets with cargo bikes.


‘Having a cargo bike opened up the world to sharing cycling with our family, it’s fantastic to be able to include our kids.’

Richard Murphy, owner of 2 x cargo bikes.