OPENCARGO.BIKE
Cargo bikes vs cars: an objective comparison nobody asked for
We compared cargo bikes to cars using real data. We tried to be fair. We failed. The numbers did all the damage on their own.
How much of your money disappears over 5 years
Cargo Bike
€3–7k
and that includes the bike
Car
€55–93k
and it still loses value every day
The most expensive cargo bike on the market, fully kitted, ridden for five years, costs less than the cheapest SUV’s first twelve months. But sure, the car has cup holders.
Browse all cargo bike accessories →Time you’ll never get back, spent circling the block
Cargo Bike
0 sec
kickstand. walk away. live your life.
Car
1m 50s
every. single. trip.
That’s 40+ hours a year. A full work week. Gone. Spent staring at taillights and praying for someone to pull out of a spot. Your cargo bike is already locked up and you’re inside having coffee.
Source: Alexandra Instituttet parking study ↗
Locks & security guide →Who actually moves faster in a city
Cargo Bike
25 km/h
the legal max. every morning. no exceptions.
Car
18.9 km/h
on a good day
You bought a machine with 200 horsepower to go slower than someone pedalling two kids and a week’s groceries. Congratulations.
Source: TomTom Traffic Index, Copenhagen ↗
Tuning & accessories →How much of our city you’re sitting on
Cargo Bike
1.1 m²
fits in your hallway
Car
12.5 m²
a bedroom. for a machine. that’s parked 23 hrs/day.
Every parked car is a small room that could be a café terrace, a tree, or a place for three bikes. Instead it’s an empty metal box baking in the sun. You’re welcome, everyone.
Boxes & storage solutions →What it costs to make the thing move
Cargo Bike
~€30
per year. from a wall outlet.
Car
€2,400
per year. from a pump you queue for.
Three cents to fully charge a cargo bike battery. You’ll spend more on coffee during the ride than electricity for the ride. Meanwhile the car is guzzling its way through €200 a month just to exist.
Base plates & deckplates →What it costs when something breaks
Cargo Bike
~€150
annual service. tyres. brakes. done.
Car
€1,200+
and something always breaks
A cargo bike has no engine, no transmission, no exhaust, no alternator, no timing belt, no catalytic converter, no turbo, no injectors, and no mechanic rubbing the back of his neck going "well, the thing is..."
Community DIY designs →We're not saying sell your car
Actually, no. We kind of are.
60–70% of car trips are under 5 km. That's the school run. The grocery run. The "I just need to pop to..." run. For all of those, a cargo bike is faster, cheaper, easier to park, better for the city, and, let's be honest, more fun.
The money you save buys a holiday. Every year. For five years.
Thanks for riding cargo bikes.
Costs based on European averages and Copenhagen city data. Cargo bike range: Aventon Abound (~€1,800) to Tern GSD (~€5,400). Car range: Toyota RAV4 (~€38,000) to BMW X5 (~€75,000). Fuel, insurance, maintenance, and parking included. Tax, depreciation, and financing excluded. We are biased. The numbers aren't.
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