Up to what age can a child ride in the cargo bike?

According to the ANWB, the law contains no rules on transporting passengers in a cargo bike, so there is no maximum age either. On a bicycle, however, a child under 8 must have a safe seat with support for their back, hands and feet. According to VeiligheidNL, you can take children from around 4 months to 7 years old in a cargo bike.

Below, you can read what the law says, when a baby can first ride along, how many children and kilos fit inside, and what the planned helmet requirement will change. At the bottom, you will find cargo bikes to compare.

What does the law say about children in a cargo bike?

The rule for young children is set out in Article 58a of the Dutch Road Traffic Rules and Signs Regulations (RVV 1990). On bicycles and mopeds, passengers under 8 may only be carried if they are seated on a suitable and safe facility with sufficient support for their back, hands and feet. The article does not specifically mention cargo bikes. According to the Dutch government, an electric cargo bike is also an electric bicycle.

The ANWB says that the law contains no rules on transporting passengers in a cargo bike and recommends using the requirements for a regular bicycle as a guideline.

From what age can a baby ride along?

According to VeiligheidNL, a baby can ride in a cargo bike as soon as they can hold their head upright independently, usually from around 4 months. Technically, it is possible earlier with an adapter for an infant car seat, but VeiligheidNL advises against this: the neck muscles are still too weak to absorb shocks. The ANWB also mentions around four months. Some manufacturers state that their cargo bikes are suitable from three months, according to the ANWB.

VeiligheidNL advises securing an infant car seat or baby carrier firmly in the box, facing against the direction of travel, and fastening the straps tightly. VeiligheidNL considers carrying a baby in a sling or baby carrier while cycling dangerous.

Ride calmly with a baby. Research by VeiligheidNL, TU Delft and Daams Ergonomie showed that babies in cargo bikes are shaken worryingly hard, including when riding over speed bumps. The effects on their health are not yet known. According to VeiligheidNL, there is no statutory speed limit for carrying a baby in the box, but an electric cargo bike can quickly reach 20 to 25 kilometres per hour.

Up to what age does a child fit in the box?

VeiligheidNL assumes that 1 to 4 children aged approximately 4 months to 7 years can ride in a cargo bike. This is advice, not law. How long your child will practically fit depends on your cargo bike and your child's size.

According to VeiligheidNL, special seats or carriers that can be secured in the box are available for toddlers; a wooden bench is not suitable for young children. According to VeiligheidNL, children are seated safely when the seat is at least 20 centimetres deep and 25 to 30 centimetres above the bottom.

From the age of 8, one child may also ride on the rear luggage carrier (Article 58a RVV). Pay attention to the load capacity: according to the ANWB, the load capacity of e-bike luggage carriers is almost always 25 kilos or less. You can find bicycles with an extended luggage carrier among the longtails; check the load capacity there as well.

How many children fit in a cargo bike?

That varies by cargo bike, so check the manufacturer's specifications. According to the ANWB, a two-wheeled cargo bike can usually carry three children: two in the front and one in a rear seat. There are also three-wheeled cargo bikes that can carry up to five children: four in the front and one in the rear. Vogue states that the Carry 3 can carry a maximum of four children in the box, while Royal Cargo Bike also states a maximum of four for the 3W Premium Plus.

According to VeiligheidNL, each child needs a seat: always secure your children, do not let them stand, and make sure their arms, legs and heads remain inside the box. According to the ANWB, most cargo bikes come standard with three-point seat belts.

How many kilos can a cargo bike carry?

That depends on the model. Every bicycle has a maximum permitted total weight: the bicycle, rider, passengers and luggage added together. According to the ANWB, the manufacturer must specify this for each model, and it must be displayed on the bicycle along with the bicycle's own weight. That weight therefore counts too: according to Cangoo's manual, the Cangoo Buckle Up weighs 65 kilos. If you exceed the maximum, your braking distance will increase, according to the ANWB.

Does your child have to wear a helmet in a cargo bike?

Not at present. According to the Dutch government, children riding on the back of a bicycle do not have to wear an approved helmet, and the helmet requirement in Article 60 of the RVV 1990 does not mention bicycles. VeiligheidNL does recommend a properly fitting bicycle helmet. The ANWB says the same, especially for an electric cargo bike, because you often travel faster on one.

That may change. The draft decree that was open for online consultation from April to June 2026 states that riders and passengers under 18 on pedal-assisted bicycles must wear a properly fitting helmet. This would also apply to children in the box of an electric cargo bike. The exception is: "children under 15 months of age who are transported lying down in a suitable child restraint system". The helmet requirement is expected to take effect on 1 September 2027. It is still a draft: in autumn 2026, the decree will be submitted to the House of Representatives and Senate, and then to the Council of State.