Cargo bikeAustralia

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Australia. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


62. Cargo bike

A cargo bike is a bicycle designed to transport goods, children or other larger loads than can normally be carried on a conventional bicycle. Cargo bikes may use a box or platform in front of or behind the rider, an extended rear carrier or a multi-wheel design.

Cargo bikes can be powered entirely by the rider or equipped with electric pedal assistance. Their permitted dimensions, passenger capacity, use of cycle paths and electrical-assistance limits depend on the local traffic and vehicle regulations.

Cargo bike
An electric cargo bike. (Geneva, Switzerland)
Wikimedia.org • Clément Bucco-Lechat • CC BY-SA
What is a cargo bike?

A cargo bike is a bicycle designed to carry goods, children or larger loads than a conventional bicycle.

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgium, Royal Decree of 1 December 1975, Articles 2.15.1, 36 and 44, cycles, helmets and passengers; Belgian example

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 27 and 30; international framework subject to national law

🔗 nsw.gov.au • NSW Government, bicycle safety equipment; NSW helmet rule

🔗 service-public.gouv.fr • French Service Public, mandatory bicycle equipment; child helmet example

Can a cargo bike carry children?

Yes, when it is designed and equipped for passenger transport. Children should use the seats, restraints, foot protection or other safety equipment provided by the manufacturer and required by local law.

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgium, Royal Decree of 1 December 1975, Articles 2.15.1, 36 and 44, cycles, helmets and passengers; Belgian example

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 27 and 30; international framework subject to national law

🔗 nsw.gov.au • NSW Government, bicycle safety equipment; NSW helmet rule

🔗 service-public.gouv.fr • French Service Public, mandatory bicycle equipment; child helmet example

Is a helmet compulsory on a cargo bike?

This depends on the country's bicycle rules and the vehicle's classification. A model legally classified as a faster motorised vehicle may have different helmet requirements from an ordinary cargo bicycle.

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgium, Royal Decree of 1 December 1975, Articles 2.15.1, 36 and 44, cycles, helmets and passengers; Belgian example

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 27 and 30; international framework subject to national law

🔗 nsw.gov.au • NSW Government, bicycle safety equipment; NSW helmet rule

🔗 service-public.gouv.fr • French Service Public, mandatory bicycle equipment; child helmet example

1 Australia 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Speed limit 5 Advisory speed 6 Bike path 7 Pedestrian warning 8 Bridge 9 Speed bump 10 Toll road 11 One-way traffic 12 Slope 13 Bus stop 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Pedestrian crossing 18 Railway crossing 19 Mandatory direction 20 Turn prohibition 21 School area 22 Crossing animals 23 Slippery road 24 Curve 25 Chevron 26 Wrong-way driving 27 Height limit 28 Radar speed sign 29 Selective barriers 30 Traffic lights 31 Traffic lights warning 32 Pedestrian lights 33 Road markings 34 Left-hand traffic 35 Driving licence 36 Location marker 37 Emergency telephone 38 No parking 39 No stopping 40 Disabled parking 41 Traffic management 42 Reversing 43 U-turn 44 Uncontrolled crossroad 45 Oversize load 46 Licence plate 47 Charging station 48 Local traffic 49 Moped 50 Truck 51 Bus 52 Police 53 Ambulance 54 Pothole 55 Path 56 Particulates 57 Air pollution 58 Rush hour 59 Road code 60 Two-way traffic 61 Street gutter 62 Cargo bike 63 Forestry vehicle 64 Construction vehicle 65 Semi-trailer truck 66 Trolleybus 67 Speed pedelec 68 Delivery vehicle 69 Idling 70 Tow truck 71 Four-wheel drive 72 Bicycle 73 Motorcycle equipment 74 Tram 75 Rail track 76 Caravan 77 Trailer 78 Tow hitch 79 Fire truck 80 Siren 81 Convoy 82 Emergency vehicle lighting 83 Agricultural machinery 84 Electric bicycle 85 Electric vehicle 86 Pedelec 87 Quadricycle 88 Microcar 89 All-terrain vehicle 90 Van 91 Recreational vehicle 92 Scooter 93 Trikke 94 Personal mobility device 95 Skateboard 96 Segway 97 Kick scooter 98 Roller skates 99 Mailman 100 Hitchhiker ...