How Much Weight Can a Cargo Bike Carry?
Written by: Rémy Rossi | March 2, 2025 | Time to read 4 min
You’ll likely run out of storage space before you meet the weight limits of a cargo electric bike, but I’ll help you figure out the maximum payload for your next cargo haul.
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
Plenty of horsepower and as much cargo-carrying capabilities as a mule— electric cargo bikes have got you covered. Well, technically, electric bikes max out at around 1 horsepower (750W motor) but that’s still plenty of oomph for all your hauling needs. But what are the limits of a cargo bike’s superpowers? In this blog, I’ll discuss how much weight a cargo bike can really carry.
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Cargo bike weight limits
When it comes to cargo bikes, there are a few different weight limits you need to be aware of. If you’ve ever ridden a loaded-up cargo bike— or any bike with serious weight on the front or rear— you’ll know that weight distribution impacts bike handling. And cargo bike engineers know this better than anyone.
Cargo bikes are designed to maximum load capacity and accommodate standard rider weight ranges, but this varies with each model. You may see certain limits listed including maximum rider weight, front or rear loading weight, and total weight. A cargo basket or rear rack will normally have the maximum weight capacity listed somewhere along the accessory. Even though e-cargo bikes have a high total carrying capacity, they actually may not be the best option for heavier riders, for example.
And how much do electric bikes weigh? Electric bikes typically come in at about 45 to 55 pounds because of the additional weight of the electric more and battery. Cargo bikes weigh significantly more because of the larger, longer frame, powerful motors, heavy cargo design. Beyond overall weight, I recently covered how to choose the right cargo e-Bike for your needs.
How much weight can a cargo bike carry?
Cargo bikes can carry a maximum total weight of anywhere from 300 to 550 pounds, including the rider. The exact specifications vary across models so it’s important to read the fine print of the model you’re interested in— although, with cargo bikes, those details are normally flaunted by the brand to show off just how much this model can carry, so you won’t have to search too hard.
You should always take heed of these weight limits. Bike engineers do a lot of research and safety testing to reach those numbers and exceeding them could lead to broken bike parts or injury. Sure, I’ve ridden on the back of my friend’s bike on top of a rear rack that was definitely not meant for an adult passenger— but I wouldn’t do that every day.
Cargo bike hauling: space and weight distribution
Unless you’re hauling rocks, I’d bet that you’ll run out of storage space on your electric cargo bike before you exceed the weight limit, especially on full-sized cargo models. Your more pressing concerns will be having ample space and choosing the right range of accessories for your setup: panniers, child seats, baskets, cargo boxes, rear cargo racks, and more. Bulky items, rather than weight, is what cargo bike owners typically have to deal with.
It’s also important to consider the weight distribution of your bike when carrying heavy loads. You can always load up an urban e-Bike with panniers or a top bag, but cargo bikes are designed to keep weight lower to the ground for a more stable ride.
I used to work with a mechanic who rode with a heavy front rack loaded with heavier items but he noticed that that heavy steering hurt his back— cargo bikes have their low, stretched-out design for a reason. Depending on which style you want, you can choose between front-loading cargo bikes or long-tail cargo bike.
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Upway's heavy hitters
Here are the weight limits of a few of Upway’s favorite electric cargo bikes:
Urban Arrow Family
Bike Weight: 51 kg
Max Total Weight: 250kg
Max Rider Weight: 125kg
Max Front Loading Weight: 125 kg
Yuba Spicy Curry & Mundo
Bike Weight: 66 lb.
Maximum Weight Limit: 440 lb.
Key Takeaways
- High Weight Limits: Cargo e-bikes can carry 300–550 lbs, including the rider, with model-specific limits and load capacity.
- Balanced Load = Better Ride: Keeping center of gravity low and distributed ensures superior stability and easier handling with heavier loads.
- Space Runs Out First: Riders will probably hit storage limits before weight limits, so choosing the right accessories matters.
