When it comes to a bike that will carry the most precious cargo of all, I appreciate power and rideability. The Original, a cargo electric bike from Bunch, has neither of those things. I don’t particularly like it. It’s awkward and graceless, and not comfortable for the biker. When I slowly pedaled by her front yard, my neighbor asked if I was starting a hot dog truck.
But when it comes to family bikes, I realize I’m not the only one using them. My husband appreciates the Bunch’s large capacity, powerful throttle, and tricycle configuration, which meant he never had to worry the bike would tip off balance. He persists in liking the bike, even when I patiently explained that despite his enjoyment, I found it hard to ride.
The cargo box is much roomier and much less exposed than other electric bakfiets (Dutch for cargo bike) I’ve used. I can fit up to four (smallish) kids in it, between the ages of 3 and 6 years old. My kids love it, even when I explained to them that the box would be easier and safer to use if it had a side door. My family loves what they love, even when I’m the one who is definitely right.
I tested the original Bunch Bike, which first debuted in 2017. In addition to the 2020 edition seen here, the company now has several versions, including a sleek Dutch-made coupe, a preschool version, and a dog one I found incredibly tempting. The 2020 model of the Original has a beautiful birch plywood cargo box attached to the front of a bike with a steel step-through frame.
The word “bike” is a bit of a misnomer here, because the Original isn’t technically a bicycle. I know, the phrase "cargo bike" is used as a catchall, but this is technically a tricycle, with three wheels instead of two. In theory, the three-wheeled configuration is more stable and easier to drive. Two-wheeled bakfiets do require a bit of practice, since they are tippier when you’re going below 10 miles per hour.
In practice, however, I found the three-wheeled configuration to be unnervingly difficult. Like most streets, my road is cambered—that is, it has a parabolic curved surface—to help rainwater drain off. If you’re riding a huge, heavy tricycle on a curved surface, you inevitably start to drift in the direction of the camber.