After not cycling for 30 years, Lisa now rides her 8 & 10 years olds on her Estarli E-cargo.

“I can’t remember life without the cargo bike,” says Lisa, while sitting on a park bench in Walsall, clutching an excitable Maltipoo. Up until a recent bike show at the NEC where Lisa first test-rode the Estarli Cargo, she’d gone three decades without getting on a bike. “Initially, I'll be honest, I was terrified,” she says, “but it all came back into place. Every day I'm on the bike I get a bit more confident. It gives you really good awareness. It’s like free driving lessons!”

Lisa uses the Cargo for the school run and to explore local parks and attractions after school and at the weekend. Mia, Lisa’s youngest, says, “I prefer this (gesturing at the Cargo parked up beside them). It gets me to school way faster!” They share a laugh when mum jumps in to remind her that it's the only way they make it to school on time! Talking more seriously while Mia enjoys the nearby zip-line, Lisa explains how much time the bike has given her back compared to walking and catching buses, “I can do the school run in a lunch hour and still have half an hour to spend on myself.”

We have just set off from their family home and done a few laps of the picturesque Walsall Arboretum. Mia is holding Lola for her first ride on the bike. Soon she’ll be getting her own cargo dog basket but for now she can recline in Mia’s arms. They have one car in the household and the addition of the e-cargo means Lisa can go places on a whim. She continues, “because I havn’t got a car at the moment, it’s given me back my independence.” While feeding the ducks, the girls talk about how easy it is now to pop to the park and how it has meant they spend so much more time outside.

Like so many Estarli e-cargo customers, Lisa spent a long time doing her research. As well as the price tag, she shared the features that most appealed to her; “I like the fact it's green, it’s sustainable, it’s great for exercise…there are lots of steep hills here and cycling up the hills with a child would be really difficult.” On the way home, Lisa demonstrates the ease with which she climbs the steepest hill in the park; one she says used to leave her out-of-breath walking. She also goes on to explain how she loves the belt drive and recalls negative memories from thirty years ago of her chain breaking or needing a series of different oils. She also talks about the meaty battery and the confidence it gives her knowing it’s not going to suddenly die on her.

Lisa’s blue longtail is wrapped in the new Estarli all-weather cocoon. As the weather starts to turn, she explains how she appreciates keeping Mia dry on the trips to school; “if I didn’t have this and there’s wet on the floor, she’s going to get splashed by the time she gets to school.” It was still summery enough for an ice cream though, and Mia shared it with Lola behind mum’s back while they pootled home. Despite Lisa’s insistence that Lola only lick the whippy off Mia’s finger, the strawberry sauce she found on the dog’s nose in the driveway was perhaps evidence that Lola got a bit too close to the goods! Perhaps it’s time for her doggy basket.

See the film on the Estarli Youtube page or use this link - https://youtu.be/Hr9_htxWWvM?si=0m_LCMq6U-zRv2o4 

Specifications:

Ananda 250 watt Mid drive motor with 110Nm torque

Carbon Gates belt drive

Enviolo CVT hub 

840 WH battery (secondary battery available 2024)

28KG Net weight 

Suntour XCT front suspension

Schwalbe Super Moto Tyres

Load capacity inc rider (210kg)

Folding stem

Quick release front wheels

Automatic Buchelk headlight

Park stand

RRP £2995

Bolt-ons:

Family Pack  (Side steps & Protection rails = RRP £250)

Cargo Basket (RRP £95)

Junior Seat (RRP £49.95)

Secondary Handlebar (RRP £39.95)

To read the full Ebiketips & Cycling Electric articles, see links below:

First ride: Estarli Cargo | electric bike reviews, buying advice and news - ebiketips

Estarli eCaro debut

Estarli EV LTD

Customer enquiries:

T: +44 (0)1442 817 374

E: help@estarli.co.uk

B2B enquiries:

T: +44 (0)1442 817 374

E: shops@estarli.co.uk