Tern GSD

“A useful and reliable longtail cargo bike. I've had mine (the second-generation model) for 4 years and over 5000 km, and enjoyed every moment with it. I use mine for commuting, groceries, a couple camping trips, and just about everything else for getting around and carrying stuff around. The R14 is the super top of the line model (with niceties like automatic downshift when coming to a stop), but the more affordable models have the same excellent build quality and emphasis on safety. Tern also makes a line of matching accessories; the ones I've found most useful are the Cargo Hold panniers and the Go-To Bag (a front-mounted messenger bag).”

“Denmark has calculated that every mile traveled by bicycle represents a net gain to society of $1.55. If it were up to me, state and local governments would be giving away e-bikes to every household. The Tern GSD is a cargo e-bike, and for me it’s better than a car for running errands, dropping off the kids at school, and other trips within a mile or two of home (which is most of them). The GSD has the capacity to carry either two kids or a full shopping cart of groceries (but not both at once), and is a Class 1 e-bike, which means the motor assists your pedaling up to 20 mph. You can go faster in a car on a highway, but for city driving the e-bike is faster once you factor in parking. The hours of your life you spend circling around looking for a parking spot? You get them back. There are cheaper e-bike options than the Tern GSD, but there’s also a lot of “you get what you pay for” here: The GSD has a mid-drive motor with a torque sensor, which in English means that pedaling the GSD feels more like pedaling a regular bicycle. Tern also uses industry-standard parts from manufacturers like Bosch and Shimano, where some manufacturers try to save money by building their own engines and batteries – which can lead to problems if the e-bike manufacturer (e.g., Rad Power) goes bankrupt and you can’t get spare parts anymore. Anyhow, I took the plunge a couple of years ago and invested in a Term GSD, and have put over a thousand miles on it. See if your local bike shop will let you rent or test-ride one.”