Tern debuts new compact cargo bike for the urban wilds

Cargo bike brand Tern is releasing a new model into the urban wilds today dubbed the Short Haul. This compact and acoustic cargo bike hits the middle ground between large and hard-to-handle cargo bikes and upright city bikes that just don’t have enough carrying capacity. The Short Haul is listed at $1,099US or $1,499CAD.

The Short Haul is quite nimble, which is ideal for city streets, but it can also carry quite a bit — up to 110 pounds on the extended rear rack alone. It can also carry up to 44 pounds with an optional front-mounted rack.

“The Short Haul is our vision of how a bicycle designed for urban transportation should look,” says Tern’s Josh Hon. “It’s shorter and easier to handle than a regular bike, but it’ll carry much more. It’s the perfect bike for people who want the function of a quality cargo bike but are working within a budget. It’s simple but very capable.”

The extra-long wheelbase and low center of gravity, meaning the Short Haul provides stability even when pedalling around your child or a load of groceries on the rear rack.

The Tern Short Haul has a low step-through frame. There is a horizontal bar in the middle of the bike, which is perfect for carrying it — the bike weighs in at just over 35 pounds. It also has Tern’s fantastic vertical parking feature making this cargo bike ideal for urban living.

It is compatible with all Upper Deck System accessories, which include, for example, the fully-enclosed Clubhouse Fort Mini for all-weather riding, and the Doghouse Mini for pet parents.

It also has an eight-speed Shimano Altus transmission with trigger shifters. The tires are tough and puncture-resistant Schwalbe Big Apple.

The Short Haul is a great way for city residents to replace all those emissions-heavy car trips to the store and school and contribute mightily to helping to combat the climate crisis without having to shell out a significant amount for a large and expensive cargo bike or e-bike.

Earlier this year, Tern released a compact cargo e-bike dubbed the Quick Haul equipped with a Bosch electric drivetrain.