Why Cargo Bike OG Xtracycle Leads the Pack in Safety and Loyalty

Adam Moss knew about the Xtracycle safety claims and he loved his electric Swoop, which he’s had since 2019. He didn’t realize just how loyal he was to the brand until he and his kids were involved in a collision when the driver of a car ran into them, sending them careening to the ground.

The injuries were relatively minor, though Moss is still working on rehabbing a leg injury sustained in the incident. His beloved Xtracycle took the brunt of the damage and managed to protect the precious cargo in the process.

“Our Xtracycle is just a really extremely well-built bike,  and what I came to really appreciate about it after our accident was in the back; it has double rails,” Moss says. “A lot of the other cargo bikes, the family bikes that I’ve seen around, only have a single rail. And one of the things that I didn’t really recognise is that when we were hit and we went down really hard on the left side of the bike. And at the time, my three year old, you know, was gripping the rails, and had it been a single rail, his hand would have been smashed between the concrete and the rail. But luckily, because it was a double rail that took the entirety of the impact and he emerged completely unharmed.”

But it wasn’t just that, it was the way Xtracycle found out about the incident through the extended urban cycling community in Berkeley, California, and contacted Moss to make sure his cargo bike was as good as new.

“They heard about the accident, got our contact information, reached out to us at the time, I was like, pretty significantly physically disabled. They came to our house, picked up the bike for us, drove it to their shop, and did all of the repairs on the bike that were necessary free of charge, and gave us a full tune up,” he says. “And brought it back to our house. Then, you know, it took me a couple months before I was back on the bike. And when I was, I opened the integrated front bag and found all this cool extra cycle swag that my kids were so stoked on.”

Although Moss was already a big Xtracycle booster before the incident, his brand loyalty is definitely rock solid at this point.

“I’ve recommended them to a ton of families, and a bunch of my friends have Xtracycles now, and I think they just have been doing this, as far as I’m aware, longer than anyone else,” Moss says. “And so I think they’re just sort of one of those established brands that really has their system dialed in.”

Adam Moss and kids on his Xtracycle Swoop

The Genesis of Xtracycle

Over the past 25 years, Xtracycle has transformed from a visionary concept into a leading cargo bike brand, fundamentally changing the landscape of urban and suburban transportation. Born from the innovative spirit of Ross Evans during his time at Stanford University, Xtracycle has paved the way for the widespread adoption of cargo bikes in the United States and beyond.

Xtracycle’s origin story is deeply rooted in a desire to create practical and sustainable transportation solutions. In 1995, while participating in a Bikes Not Bombs initiative in rural Nicaragua, Evans witnessed the need for a reliable means of transporting goods across challenging terrains. Inspired by this experience, he developed his first longtail bike design, which later evolved into the FreeRadical extension kit. This kit extended the wheelbase of standard bikes, adding significant cargo-carrying capacity.

“Ross dreamed up his first longtail design there, to help villagers take their goods to market on single track hill trails,” explains Jamie Tibbetts, marketing & communications manager for Xtracycle. “When he came home, he brought his prototype and kept refining it. This became the FreeRadical extension kit – designed to be affordable while adding great utility to bikes already in use.”

Milestones in Xtracycle’s Evolution

Xtracycle’s journey from a niche product to a household name in the cargo biking industry is marked by several key milestones:

1. 1. FreeRadical Extension Kit: Launched in the late 1990s, this kit extended the wheelbase of existing bikes, allowing users to carry passengers and cargo. Its simplicity and utility garnered attention from mountain bikers and local bike shops, gradually building a dedicated following.
   2. Radish and Family Accessories: In 2007, Xtracycle introduced the Radish, their first complete longtail bike. Accompanied by innovative accessories such as the MagicCarpet seatpad, StokerBar, RunningBoards, and Footsies, Xtracycle began catering to families looking to replace car trips with bike rides.
   3. PeaPod and Hooptie: Collaborating with Yepp in 2009, Xtracycle launched the PeaPod child seat, which later evolved into the Yepp Maxi. The 2012 introduction of the Hooptie—a wrap-around enclosure for child passengers—marked a significant advancement, making longtail cargo bikes a practical option for families.
   4. EdgeRunner and E-Bike Integration: The 2012 launch of the EdgeRunner featured a purpose-built longtail frame with a low center of gravity, enhancing stability. In 2014, Xtracycle teamed up with Bosch to incorporate electric drive units, boosting consumer confidence in e-cargo bikes.
   5. Swoop and RFA Models: The 2017 introduction of the Swoop, with its low step-thru frame, and the 2019 expansion with the RFA midtail bike and off-road Stoker, showcased Xtracycle’s commitment to versatility and accessibility.
   6. 25th Anniversary: In 2023 Xtracycle celebrated a quarter-century with  an expanded lineup to include RFA and Swoop 28mph models.

According to Tibbetts, 2012 was a pivotal year for the brand.

“We launched the Hooptie, which was probably the most vital advancement in making longtail cargo biking a truly viable option for families. It was a first-of-its-kind wrap-around enclosure for child passengers on the rear deck, and became the model for other companies to emulate,” he says. “We also launched our original EdgeRunner — which became the basis for our modern bikes — a purpose built longtail frame cargo bike with a 20” rear wheel for a low center of gravity to handle cargo/passenger loads, and a full size 26” front wheel for maneuverability and multi-terrain riding. Together with the Hooptie we had a full family-carting bike system. Families loved the offering and it marked an important shift in the US cargo bike market.”

An entire family riding an Xtracycle e-cargo bike

Meeting Diverse Needs

Xtracycle offers a variety of models and customization options to suit different lifestyles and preferences. The RideGuide, an online recommendation tool, helps potential buyers find the right bike based on their specific needs. Additionally, Xtracycle’s network of local partner shops and showrooms in the SF Bay Area and NYC provide hands-on experiences for customers, not to mention free shipping and local assembly in the lower 48 United States.

“We include, for free, a suite of interchangeable cargo accessories to suit any rider’s needs and imagination, and use high quality, off-the-shelf components to keep riding easy and safe,” Tibbetts explains. “That translates to a bike that owners can customize themselves, and that is serviceable at any local bike shop.”

The Rise of E-Cargo Bikes

The integration of electric motors has been a game-changer for the cargo bike market. E-cargo bikes offer the convenience of a personal motorized vehicle without the environmental impact of a car.

“Electric family cargo bikes offer an easy option for families looking to transition from car-dependent lives to a car-lite lifestyle,” says Tibbetts.

It was this evolution that prompted Moss to consider an electric cargo bike to replace the second family car for his growing family in Berkeley.

“My wife and I have been avid cyclists, and both recreational and commuting cyclists for our entire adult lives, and we live in a city that has a strong family bike culture,” Moss says. “And so I think even before I became a parent, it was one of the things that I was most excited to do and share with my children, to have the experience and the freedom of riding around on the bike and the sustainability of it. And so we actually sold one of our cars to be able to fund our Xtracycle purchase.”

For Moss, Xtracycle really opened his eyes to what a bicycle and a brand could do. 

“I really liked the FreeRadical model, I think for a lot of folks, it really revolutionized the idea of what was possible with bikes. And I loved the social justice mission of Xtracycle and all the work that they have done to invest in developing countries with infrastructure and support,” Moss says. “I also really liked that the Xtracycle E Swoop had the 20-inch back wheel, so it has a lower center of gravity in the back. I just kind of understood what that would do for stability, and I really like the integrated mid drive motor.”

Commitment to Safety and Innovation

Safety is paramount for Xtracycle. From the development of dual-leg kickstands to wrap-around child enclosures, every aspect of their bikes is designed with rider protection in mind.

“Safety is built into our founding principles of more sustainable transportation,” Tibbetts says. “We want our riders to be safe and feel good riding for years and years.”

Xtracycle continuously incorporates customer feedback into their designs. Their commitment to innovation is driven by real-world riding experiences and market testing.

“Everything we design for is informed b yhow people are really looking to ride and how we can give them the best experience possible,” Tibbetts adds. “Rather than jump on what’s new and flashy, we make sure something fits our standards of being trustworthy, safe, and accessible.”

Moss can, of course, attest to the safety standards, and more. Although he’s been using the bike as a second vehicle for five years, it is working just fine. 

“Our bike is super like, it looks very weathered, it’s covered with stickers and scratches and it’s a very well-loved and well-used bike with I think it has four different bike bells on it and a bike horn and snack cups and, like, six water bottle holders,” Moss says. “You know, it really looks like a well-used bike, but it functions as well as it did the day that we got it. And, you know, it’s just been such a great return on investment for our family. They really know what they’re doing.”

Xtracycle love

Xtracycle Future Aspirations

Looking ahead, Xtracycle aims to expand its reach and continue advocating for sustainable transportation. Their goal is to make cargo bikes more accessible without compromising quality or safety.

“We’re proud to have played such a central role in the north American cargo bike boom and we’re pumped about some new models we have in store, including our most affordable and compact e-cargo bike ever, the Hopper, which should be very exciting for new biking families or individuals with lite-cargo needs.” Tibbetts says.

“And as more and more people continue to adopt the cargo bike life, we’re optimistic that the spillover effect will be that business and localities will follow suit and improve infrastructure,” Tibbetts says. “We’re going to continue making reliable bikes for the people.”