[Closed] Dutch cargo bike experience please

I have a kona minute. Had it for four years. Use it every day clocking up 7k miles a year average. Its brilliant. It takes 1 hamax and panniers with ease. For two kids, a Ute or surly big dummy would be ace. There is also the circ Helios tandem/family bike that looks amazing.

I have a 'Yuba Mundo' which ive used extensively to ferry my 3 kids around. You can get two proper kids seats on the back and its also able to carry lots of shopping and extra bits.

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no personal experience but seen loads of people using them in Amsterdam with little issue, but then they have safe cycling infrastructure. If you're squeezing down congested streets, I'd maybe think twice. Couple of pics from my trip...

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I'm building a 3 wheeler at the moment to get our two to school and nursery.
I was going to build a two wheeler but where we live is quite hilly so I don't want to worry about balancing going uphill. It probably won't handle as well as a two wheeler, but it should be more stable.
The back end is going to be the rear half of my old charge duster and I'm making the front from scratch, with a bmx as a donor bike. My eldest wants it finished by March; I said the end, he said the start.
I'll post some pictures soon.
I was inspired by a homemade one I saw on instructable's website; [url= http://www.instructables.com/id/cargo-bike/?ALLSTEPS ]a bit like this[/url]

Ps I agree with rs above; think where you are going to ride it; wil you be able to get through local barriers/ down local routes?
I'm aiming to use it mainly for short trips of the less than 3 miles each way as it'll be pretty slow, but hopefully faster than walking.

I had a short wheelbase Dutch Bakfiets. There are some pictures and chat about it in this recent thread:
http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/cycling-with-a-wean

They are Clyde-built and designed first and foremost to be practical for utility cycling with kids; stable, easy to park, good rain protection with the pop up hood. I had an 8 speed Nexus hub on mine with nice low gearing and could get just about anywhere (I did the 50 mile Pedal for Scotland run between Glasgow and Edinburgh a couple of times with two kids on board, and that has a few wee climbs on it).

The two wheel design is manoeuvrable and the weight distribution makes it very stable. In practice, the Bafkiets is not really much wider than a solo. I found that it rode very nicely; just like a normal bike, but a bit more stately!

You can also carry a large amount of cargo. I lugged a couple of large crates stacked in the front with a family shop, and stacks of planks lashed to the sides for B&Q DIY trips. I sold it on when my kids graduated to their own bikes, and it is now doing the daily school run for the new owner.

If you are buying one, look out for the original Dutch built Bafkiets. There are some knock off Chinese copies about which are a huge amount cheaper, but very poorly built (under engineered frames, cheap components and materials, etc).

Apart from all the practical stuff, it was just a lot of fun to ride. It was great being able to chat to the kids as we were cycling, and the bike always got a smile from people. I have owned a few bikes over the years and the Bafkiets is probably the only one that I actually do miss a bit.

Always wanted one, not had the space to justify one

I have a double trailer, was great when the kids were younger. Did odd jobs, dog walks and nursery runs in it, was awesome!!

I have two bikes that can transport a single child, which I do pretty regularly. I love it!

I think a long bike is more practical than a wider cargo bike, always wanted a full size ute or a big dummy

I think a long bike is more practical than a wider cargo bike, always wanted a full size ute or a big dummy

I'd agree with this. Have a bike trailer and it can be a huge PITA to navigate around some of the rubbish cycling infrastructure we have round here. If I was doing it again with two kids I'd get something like a big dummy or Kona ute.

i wanted a bakfiets

ended up with a xtracycle because bakfiets didnt fit through gates on cycle path.

Havnt used it with kids on the back yet but with 2 adults on the back its just dandy with low gearing and an electric assist motor.

We got rid of a car.

we have a bullit
it's awesome (expensive but worth it, tried getting one secondhand but everyone seems to just keep them)

bakfiets are quite heavy