What is it about riding bikes that really just brings people together? It feels so much different (and better, we’d argue) than just riding in a car and zoning out to a playlist. Is it the fresh air? Is it that you have to pay closer attention to your surroundings? Is it the slower pace that allows friends to appreciate the passing scenery? Is it the sense of shared adventure and camaraderie? We think all of those things are true, and more. And beyond just recreational cycling togetherness, a host of social, economic, and cultural factors have converged in the last few years to propel the popularity of pedaling forward even further. In fact, internet searches for “electric bike with passenger seat” have exploded. One of the accelerating factors was the pandemic.

More People Want to Know About The Electric Tricycle Cargo Bike Than Ever

Although the pandemic is finally fading in the rearview mirror, some of the life adjustments it caused are not. One example: the popularity of cycling climbed significantly during that time. A report from the United States Department of Transportation indicates that household spending on bikes between March 2020 and March 2023 boomed by 620% (and yes, that is adjusted for inflation). The same researchers expect this year and future years to show similar increases for a variety of reasons we’ll interspersed throughout this article. 

Today, we’ll focus our attention on those of you who may be searching for an electric bike with seats for adult passengers (some of which can also be fitted for children). With the popularity of cycling increasing for so many segments of the population, “togetherness” has become increasingly important in the scheme of things. We’ve compiled this list of 20 electric bikes with passenger seats, especially for those interested in “bike pooling” into the future. Here are some of the factors we’ve considered as we compiled our list:

Factors that Make Great Bikes with a Passenger Seat

People looking for bikes with a passenger seat, or even an electric bike rickshaw need several things to make riding an experience worth repeating on the regular. We have looked through the offerings out there and made a list of 20 bikes with passenger seats based on how easy they are to use as well as things like durability. Here’s what we looked at:

A. Get a Lighter Frame

When you’re pedaling or letting a motor do the work for more than one bike rider, a light frame matters a lot. Either the pedaler or the motor will have to do extra work one way or the other if a passenger is making the journey with you. So we looked at the material the bike frames were constructed with. While steel frames may be incredibly durable, they are a lot heavier. Fortunately, aluminum frames are also durable, but generally a lot lighter to move.

B. But Make Sure It’s Durable

We looked at durability reviews as well. Obviously, if you’re going to buy an electric bike with a seat for adult riders (or a totally pedal-powered model), you want to be able to use it every day without worrying about breakdowns and repairs all the time. This is true even if bike repairs are generally a lot simpler and easier to handle than car repairs.

Fun fact:

Just like a car, you’ll want to budget for bike repairs and maintenance if your electric bike rickshaw is going to get a workout. The awesome thing is that bike maintenance and bike repairs cost significantly less per year than car repairs. And if you’re handy with bike tools (or have a friend that is), you can do a lot of that maintenance on your own!

C. Remember: Ergonomics Matters

Ergonomics: the fun-to-say word that refers to the science of designing things so they’re comfortable and easy to use while also minimizing the risk of injuries. If you see an electric bike with a passenger seat in your future, test out your favorite models and ask yourself: is climbing on and off easy and trip-free? Does riding feel good and not tire you out too fast? Does the seat cushion your tush or does it feel like sitting on a lumpy rock? We looked at all of those things for you.

D. Every Bike Should be Adjustable

And really, at this point, most of them are. But since electric bike rickshaws are kind of the new hotness, we found some that were better than others in this regard.

E. Buy a Passenger Bike with Brakes You Feel Comfortable Using

A lot of people are coming back to cycling after an extended absence. Depending on when your last bike ride was, you might be used to coaster brakes that engage if you start pedaling backward. This is how you stopped older bike models, and some newer models still have that option. More frequently, however, newer bikes (especially bikes with passenger seats) have disc brakes that you control by using switches on the handlebars. These are generally quicker to engage and more responsive. But if you’re not used to them, it’s a good idea to do a few test rides to retrain your mind about that.

Fun fact:

Protecting the environment is one of the most commonly cited reasons that people want to switch their family’s mode of travel to regular biking. UCLA reports that just switching to a bike one day a week can slash your transportation-based carbon emissions by about 67%! Imagine what you could do if you added even more days on the bike!

F. An Electric Bike with Passenger Seat Should Have More Gears

Getting an e-trike with about 7 gears is optimal for giving you more terrain and speed options. Having more gears helps you not have to pedal so hard going uphill, can save your brakes when going downhill, and helps you manage frequent speed changes as you ride through city traffic. This can save your legs while also helping out the battery-powered motor if you get an e-bike.

G. Speaking of E-Bikes, Consider How Long it Takes to Charge the Battery

While some bikes with passenger seats are totally human-powered, battery-powered e-bikes are helping more people (even the elderly, people with mobility issues, and people who haven’t been riding in a while and feel a little out of shape) get into cycling on a regular basis. So, if you’re in the market for a battery-powered bike, make sure to know how long it takes to fully charge the battery and how long you can ride before the motor needs another recharge session. This saves you from getting stuck far from home with a dead battery, tired legs, and sweaty clothes. It’s usually a smart investment to get a motor that can go longer between charges.

20 Awesome Bikes with Passenger Seats For Families, Friends, and Togetherness

So, while you’re thinking about those considerations, let’s go through our thoughtfully-curated list of 20 bikes with passenger seat options. And as you look through, think about what you’re looking for in a passenger e-bike! What features do you want? What are you looking for?

• Do you want a bike that has passenger seats so you can take your kids to their bagpipe lessons?
• Do you need a rickshaw bike that helps you transport your grandma to her weekly bunco game?
• Are you and your work friends trying to brainstorm a way to ride-share sans auto?
• Do you have a friend with disabilities who loves to get outside and enjoy the scenery, so you’re looking for an e-bike that can make that happen?
• Do you want an electric tricycle cargo bike with a lot of storage space so you can make deliveries?

One of these bikes ought to answer your needs in style:

2. Triobike Taxi: It’s Like Riding a Sofa For Your Passengers

The Triobike Tax is like a bunch of furniture designers from Scandinavia who got together with some bike designers who definitely wanted to redefine what “riding together” means for the 21st century. Imagine the discussions they must have had over cinnamon sugar leaves! First, if you’re going to design an electric bike with a passenger seat, that seat is going to have to be cozy and impervious even to inclement weather. And the passengers have to have a good view of the surroundings without having to crane their necks to see around the rider! Yes, the design team had a party that day, probably with a lot of Swedish meatballs and lingonberry jam. So the results? The Triobike Taxi has a weather hood that retracts when the sun is out, but it also comes with a waterproof blanket if the weather turns soupy. The back passenger seat is higher up than the cyclist’s seat, but steps make it easy to climb into, even for folks with mobility concerns like bum knees and achy joints. Storage units on this electric bike rickshaw make it easy to stow a picnic lunch, a bunch of books, groceries, or your shell collection after coming back from the beach. It’s even got its own integrated lighting system so you can go sky-watching at night together! Call Grandma and Grandpa, you’ve got places to go!

3. The Elwing Yuvy: A Streamlined Single-Seater E-Bike for One Rider and a Passenger

If togetherness means taking your significant other out on the town without the hassle of finding a decent parking space, this tandem bike is a good option. While the previous two passenger e-bikes require some extra storage space at home (which is fine if that’s what you need), city-dwellers with limited apartment space and college students who want to bring a friend might find this option a little more appropriately suited to their situation. The Elwing Yuvy has a nice, long, wide seat that comfortably fits two people in tandem. If you’re a small family with a child, you can add a secure baby seat behind the second rider too. Even though this is a more streamlined model, they were still thinking about ergonomics where the low step-thru bike frame makes for hassle-free mounting and dismounting—at least for the person riding in front, although the back rider gets a nice middle footrest. For a tandem e-bike, it’s got a pretty awesome carrying capacity of 330 pounds. Modest back and front cargo racks help you get basics from one place to another. The frame is sturdy and light, and because it’s more narrow it’s a good city bike that can maneuver in traffic. They included a motor that can go between 30 and 40 miles between charges. Of course, you can choose to use full pedal power as well, and the handlebar-mounted display shows you your stats so you can tell how much farther you can go before your next charge-up.

4. Ferla Electric Passenger Bike: Passengers Up Front for a Change

For adults with children who like to come along, can you just imagine having the kids riding in front of you? With the Ferla Electric Passenger Bike, you can do exactly that. Talk about redefining how a passenger e-bike is built! It comes with this nifty bucket compartment for passengers that is in front of the rider. While this front bucket compartment can also transport adults, it really shines as a way to bring the kids along safely. For reference, it kind of looks like a backward tricycle - with two wheels supporting the front compartment and a single back wheel supporting the rider. The passenger compartment bench is 24x10 and comes with a seatbelt. It’s definitely a new way to think about riding together. And if you decide to leave the kids or your friends at home (but really, why would you), you can use the bucket compartment as a spacious cargo compartment that will heft a good week’s worth of groceries, camping equipment, tools, work supplies, or whatever gear you need for your activities. The carrying weight limit is a generous 350 pounds, so if you want to save on gas and go easy on the earth, even with a growing family, this is an unconventional option that really works for people.

5. DJ Super Bikes: For Long Rides with a Good Friend

With a combined passenger-rider load of 275 pounds, this is a fantastic e-bike for riding together with a friend for a long day out—think 50 miles between charges at a speed of about 20 miles per hour. The long rides come courtesy of a 750-watt motor, or you can pay a little extra for a 1000-motor option. DJ Super Bikes have no problem with hills or long rides, and you can extend your time out by pedaling or using pedal assist instead of going full-motor. While it doesn’t have two seats, it has a generously-sized banana seat with good padding that fits two friends quite comfortably. The rust-resistant aluminum frame is tough and light and they gave it some extra weatherproofing elements so that you don’t have to worry too much about getting caught out in the rain. Just don’t forget your helmets!

6. AZBO Adult Electric Bike: For Cycling Together Through Inclement Weather

Another great tandem two-seater bike, the large, cushiony, motorcycle-design saddle makes sitting together easy and comfortable. It kind of has an antique vibe and vintage style that makes it timeless and cool at the same time. The front rider can choose to do all the pedaling themselves or let the 500-watt motor do at least some (or all) of the work. The motor is mounted on the back of the bike. What makes it especially helpful when the weather gets wet is the extra fat, mountain-bike-style tires that give you excellent traction. The bike is also built with a low, extra-stable center of gravity so tipping accidents are less likely, even in bad weather with a passenger along for the ride. You can choose from 7 gears, right from the handlebars, from whence you can also control the stop-on-a-dime disc brakes. Seriously, get used to those on a dry day because the sudden stopping can come as a surprise to first-time riders of this bike. It handles very well as a two-seater e-bike through just about any neighborhood, even when the weather is bad. So get some all-weather riding gear and have fun together while everyone else is hiding under their blankets doom scrolling.

Fun Fact

A study published by Bikeradar.com reported that regularly getting outside for a bike ride can improve mood and mental health. Riding together with friends boosts those mental health benefits even more.

7. The 2-Seater “Fatbike” by Garrett Miller X: A Nice, Light Ride for Those Who Love Motorcycles

“Fatbike'' designers wanted their e-bike riders to feel like they were on a motorcycle, right up to the big, contoured motorcycle-style seat that can easily fit two riders. And the fat doesn’t end there! It also comes with two fat, road-gripping tires that handle well in all sorts of weather conditions. Although it’s totally fine to ride this one solo, the designers really want you to take a friend with you. That’s why they put the two footrests behind the rider, reserved specifically for that special friend you’ve been wanting to take a spin around town with. It’s got some oomph too—it only takes about 4 to 6 hours to charge and can span about 40 miles during each charge. Now, make sure this friend you bring does not mind a little bit of awkwardness climbing on and off the bike. It’s not a step-through bike by any means. But once everyone has mounted, you’ll love its quiet, smooth ride, comfortable seat, and the togetherness it creates.

8. RadRunner Plus: The Tandem Bike with a Separate Passenger Seat

With the RadRunner Plus, you get a real tandem bike with two separate, cushioned seats and a low frame you can easily step into without having to lift your leg so high to get up on the bike. What a relief! The front rider will like how easy it is to grip the handlebars that swing back so you don’t have to bend over to reach them. It comes with a headlight that gives you a few more hours of ride time after the sun goes down or illuminates the path through rainy days. The 750-watt motor and battery hit that sweet spot of about 45 miles between charges, and the bike’s entire carrying capacity is about 300 pounds. The tires are nice and wide, meaning you can even ride over some hard-packed beach sand with your friend for a nice day taking selfies and stacking beach rocks.

9. HXL Folding E-Bike: A Tandem Bike with a Passenger Seat for Easy Stowing

If you’ve been looking for a bike that’s easy to pack for vacation, the HXL Folding e-bike might be the one for you. The bike itself, including the tandem part, only weighs 48 pounds, which is just under the max checked-bag limit for the majority of international flights. And the crazy thing is that you can fold it up, which makes it easy to stow with your luggage. It’s light, sturdy, and great for small spaces like hotel rooms, apartments, and downtown bike parking. Now, for all the space it saves, its battery and motor are on the lowkey side: 330 watts and about 15 mph is what you can expect there, but you can also pedal on your own and the wheels and frame are built to absorb shocks.

10. The E-Cargo from Amsterdam Bicycle Company: Built for Carrying Precious Cargo in the Rain

You know, the Netherlands has one of the most bike-friendly societies in the world. So it’s no surprise that one of the nicest bikes built for bringing the family along comes from there. It’s got a front-loaded bucket area with straps to fit two small children and a few bags of groceries (as long as little Jessie doesn’t like throwing the bell peppers out of the bucket). This model is available internationally as well and is extremely popular in Europe. Depending on whether you use pedal assist or go on full-motor power, it can go between 35 and 75 miles! It’s built for daily use, so if you’re really serious about leaving the car at home and showing the kids how to live the cycling life, this is a good choice.

11. The Load 75 by Riese & Müller: Ultra-Customizable for Family Fun

Flying in from Germany (another super bike-friendly country), we have the Bullitt Cargo Bike, which is actually the base model that can be customized with a ridiculous number of cargo-carrying accessories. You can get it with high or low side walls, a rain cover, a tarpaulin, a luggage shelf, and even more than that. But for small and growing families, these bikes carry a lot of stuff and have a lot of options, regardless of the weather. In fact, unlike most family bikes that carry, at most, two kids, the Bullitt Cargos can handle three wiggly wonders!

12. Bullitt Cargo Bikes from Larry vs Harry: Great for City Travel with up to Three Kids

We often feel a little jealous of how bike-friendly cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen are, and we hope to be part of the change toward more cycling-friendliness here in the States. With options like Bullitt Cargo Bikes, the dream seems touchable. This is another bike that is very customizable with a pile of accessories and cargo-carrying options, including the front bucket seat that can hold up to 3 kids. It’s also very maneuverable in tight city streets, which is another reason we like it. Kids that grow up riding with their adults in fun e-bikes like this grow up to love cycling themselves, and we can only say “YES” to that!

13. Supercargo CL from Yuba Bike

There have been families that have gotten rid of their second car with the Supercargo CL in the garage. Again, it’s the very essence of family-friendly with the ability to settle three kids, their backpacks, and the family gecko. It has a cute bamboo front cargo box and a low center of gravity that makes it nimble on the road. And if you weren’t getting enough “togetherness” with that, you can add a rear tandem seat for a second adult rider. You can literally do your entire school-work-grocery commute with this thing.

14. Family Bike from Urban Arrow

If you’ve been reading this list and thinking, “Hey, maybe I really can replace one of my cars with one of these bikes…” Good! That’s the point. And the Family Bike is another piece of evidence in that direction. It carries up to 3 kids, and a lot of cargo. Again, you can also opt for adding a tandem seat in the back. Urban Arrow, out of the Netherlands, had the stated goal of replacing cars and scooters with their family-friendly e-cargo bikes.

15. The Flyer L885 from Radio Flyer

We got so excited when we heard that Radio Flyer was getting into eBikes and cargo bikes. Yes, that’s the little-red-wagon company! This bike is really built for one adult and one child, but that fits the needs of a lot of today’s families. You can also get an extra child seat and cargo carrier to go with it, which bumps your kid-carrying capacity to 2. You can convert this extra piece from a child carrier to a week’s-worth-of-groceries carrier, depending on what you need to do that day. And get this: if you get the Flyer DuoFlex bike trailer accessory, you can remove it and it magically transforms into a double stroller so you can walk through the Farmer’s Market. Options!

16. S1 from Super73: For the Minimalist Friends You Want to Bike With

OK, we’ve been talking about all of the souped-up family e-bikes for a few turns. Now let’s shift into a very zippy, yet no-nonsense tandem bike with a simple (not step-thru) frame. Its great, grippy tires keep you rolling through any weather and its powerful motor propels you on forest trails or through morning traffic with a zip. With a charging time of only about 4 hours, you can go up to 40 miles at 25 miles per hour. That’s really it. No bells and whistles, just a great ride with your bestie.

17. Rider D-Class from Ariel: Cool! Now You Have Two Motors for Two People

Imagine zooming along at 33 miles per hour with [insert your dream ride companion here] for as long as it takes to go 40 miles. Where could you go? Over to the next town to check out that new Thai place? To that funky used bookstore and coffee shop where you met? Along a forest trail to a beautiful waterfall to take some Insta-worthy snaps? This bike is simple, but seats two and is powerful enough to take you through your work week and into the weekend with your favorite person.

18. The Grizzly from Ariel: Did Someone Say Adventure Day?

Also from Ariel, the Grizzly has a frame and a seat that can take some serious hard riding. Two batteries, two seats, too much fun. It can literally go up to 75 miles on just one charge, which means you and your bestie are gone for the entire day. Steep hills? No sweat. Long distances? No range anxiety here. Just more fun than humans should be allowed with a frame that is heavier than the Rider D-Class, but also tougher for rougher rides.

19. HyperScrambler from Juiced: 100 miles at 32 Miles Per Hour on an E-Bike with a Friend?

Yes, please! The e-bike revolution continues to astound us—and yet, we find ourselves almost becoming numb to the advancements we see in our field, simply because we know that anything is possible. This HyperScrambler is just one example. If range anxiety is something you’ve ever worried about, this tandem e-bike puts those jitters in a box and sends it to the moon. Extra bright head and tail lights alert everyone in the neighborhood to your impending arrival, hydraulic disc brakes respond at a touch when you want to stop for ducklings crossing the road at your favorite lake, or you see that sign for the giant apple fritters at the doughnut truck three towns over.

20. The Edgerunner eSwoop from Xtracycle: One More Family E-Bike Bike to Consider

Lastly, we like the Edgerunner from Xtracycle with its zippy Bosch motor. It comes with a “Hooptie” child carrier that can transport up to 3 littles or a whole lot of stuff and things, or a mix of both. All the adults at soccer practice will be jealous, and you could not care less. While this bike can be a little hard to transport via another vehicle, it’s really meant to do the transporting, not to be transported. It’s got a top speed of about 20 miles per hour, which is totally sufficient if you’re taking the kids out for the day.

How to Pick the Most Awesome Electric Bike with Passenger Seat Options

Of course, the best way to figure out which electric bike rickshaw contraption will best fit your needs is to simply try them out. While that isn’t always possible in every area, you can make a list of things you need and want in your electric tricycle cargo bike. Do you have a young family that needs child and child-stuff carrying capacity? Do you just want to bring a friend along on your adventures? Do you want to go on long trips before needing to charge? You can balance what you want with what you can afford and land on the “what you need” square quite nicely with so many options to choose from.

And if the EVRYjourney rickshaw sounds like your choice, you can go to the FIT panel on the right side of this page, and enter your deets there. In addition to the rickshaw, Sixthreezero has a lot of other great e-bikes to fit all kinds of riders and styles. Most of all, we think it’s important to get one that fits your height, and your riding needs (commuting, recreation, family, etc.) The nice thing about the EVRYjourney models is that they are so comfortable and easy to ride, even if you have mobility issues or haven’t been on a bike for the last 20 years. They make it so easy to get back in the saddle, so to speak.

The Sixthreezero team stays up late at night dreaming about ergonomics, for one thing. How can we make the most comfortable riding experience for the broadest demographic range possible? We want everyone on a bike. We want everyone to feel great about it too. We want cycling to be safe, groovy and so much fun.

So talk to us! If you have questions or ideas, just shoot us an email at theteam@sixthreezero. We’d love to hear about your bike stories, your experience, and what you’re looking for in your next e-bike. Tell the kids! Call grandma! Let all your friends know—the time for biking togetherness is now!