Urban Arrow Family review: the best electric box bike for families?

Choosing the right cargo bike for your family can be a daunting task. With so many different types and models on the market, it’s hard to know where to begin. That’s why we’ve put together this in-depth review of the Urban Arrow Family, one of the most popular box bikes around. We'll share our real-life experience using it daily, how it compares to longtail bikes, and what makes it a great – or not-so-great – choice for family cycling.

If you're still weighing up your options, take a look at our guide to the best cargo bikes for families, where we explain the differences between box bikes (sometimes referred to as the Dutch ‘bakfiets’) and longtails.

Still wondering if a cargo bike is right for your family? Take our quiz to find out!

Disclosure: The review family bought the Urban Arrow Family themselves. We were not paid to write this review, and all opinions are our own. We do use affiliate links, so may get a small commission if you choose to buy through the links on this page. This funds the website, and we thank you for your support.

About our reviewers

Saskia is Cycle Sprog’s content editor and resident cargo bike expert. She’s been riding an Urban Arrow Family since her second pregnancy, over seven years ago, with her eldest just two and a half at the time. Back then, their setup involved a front seat and then a rear seat on a hybrid, practical for one child, but tricky with two.

Fast forward several years and both Saskia and her partner Willem are Urban Arrow converts. They live in Bath, rely solely on bikes for transport, and also owned a longtail (the Bike43) for a time. Even after both of their e-cargo bikes were stolen in 2024, they replaced the longtail with a new Urban Arrow Family – proof of how much they rate it, even with their kids now aged 6 and 9. 

If you’d like to know more about how best to secure your cargo bike, read our guide on what to do if your bike is stolen and how to prevent it.

Please note that some photos are from their first Urban Arrow Family, purchased in 2017 while others are from their most recent purchase, which is the bike that is currently available through retailers.

Urban Arrow: brand overview

Urban Arrow is a Dutch company founded in 2010 with a clear mission: to replace cars in cities. Known for its sleek and sturdy box bikes, the brand has become a go-to choice for families and urban businesses alike.

Their range includes the Family (for carrying kids), Shorty (compact cargo), and Cargo (commercial transport). With their modular design, Bosch motors, and high-quality components, Urban Arrows are now sold in bike shops across Europe and the UK.

The Urban Arrow Family is a very common sight in Dutch cities.

Urban Arrow Family in use

We reviewed the Urban Arrow Family Cargo Line model, which retails at £5,899. That puts it at the top end of Urban Arrow’s line-up – the most powerful version, the best option if you live in a hilly area or have bigger kids. 

Straight away, this bike stands out for its sheer size. At 263 cm long, it’s significantly bigger than a standard bike and doesn’t fold, collapse, or stand upright for compact storage. That said, its length allows for a roomy box that can carry multiple children, luggage or even an adult. Interestingly, the Urban Arrow Family is 68cm at its widest point, which is only 10-15cm more than most safety bars on the back of a longtail. 

Servicing is straightforward, since it uses standard high-end components – think Bosch motor, Enviolo gearing, Magura hydraulic brakes – so most local bike shops will be happy to service this bike.

Adjusting the bike between riders is simple. We regularly switch between me (5 ft 4) and my partner (6 ft 3) – a quick tweak of the seat height using the quick-release bolt is all it takes. The handlebars can be adjusted too, which helps to make the ride more comfortable for shorter or taller riders, but it’s a bit fiddly to do that on a regular basis.

One of the standout features is how well the Urban Arrow Family adapts as your children grow. We’ve used it from newborn to age 10, with room to spare. It's one of the very few bikes where a newborn, two toddlers, or even a couple of older children can all be accommodated (not all at once, obviously!).

Urban Arrow accessories

Urban Arrow’s accessory range is excellent, and crucially, you don’t need many extras. The rain canopy is hands down our favourite. The previous version, the Rain Cover Essential, was a bit awkward for the children to get in and out of, but still a game changer on windy and wet days. The new canopy design, the Urban Arrow Rain Cover Plus, is a major improvement: zippered sides for easier access and better ventilation, plus enough headroom that even I can sit inside comfortably. We purchased our rain cover from Donkee because of reported tearing issues with the one Urban Arrow provides. 

We’ve also used:

• The extra bench which folds up when not in use (for more seating options)
• Rear rack (for double panniers and a rear seat)
• Car seat adaptor (essential for newborns)
• Toddler seat (Melia brand)
• Floormat (for softer feel and insulation in winter)

Accessories aren’t cheap, but the quality is exceptional and they really enhance the usability of this box bike.

Check out all the Urban Arrow Family accessories available on the Urban Arrow website.

Urban Arrow Family: thoughts from the Sprogs

Our kids have always loved the Urban Arrow Family. It feels like a mini-adventure each time they climb in, whether they’re facing forward or looking at us. They’ve always enjoyed waving at people and the bike often draws admiring looks. They particularly like the comfort compared to a longtail, and the multiple seating options. The enclosed box also meant that they could nap in the box when they were smaller, with a blanket or jumper under their head. 

Parent reactions

I was sold on the idea of a box bike long before we bought one, but the Urban Arrow completely exceeded expectations. It’s smooth to ride, safe, and incredibly versatile. We tried a few others before settling on this one, but this felt like the most practical, intuitive option. A two-wheeled box bike can sometimes seem like a daunting prospect, but they are actually very easy and stable to ride once you get the hang of it.

The Urban Arrow Family electric cargo bike boasts an impressive array of high-quality components, from the most reputable names in the cycling industry. Every part, from the powerful Bosch motor to the reliable Enviolo stepless hub, is designed with performance, safety, and ease of use in mind.

The sturdy and lightweight box is made from expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam which provides excellent impact resistance as well as passenger comfort because it feels soft and doesn't feel cold when the temperature drops.

The box also doesn't stay wet after a downpour and the benches can be easily wiped dry if needed. The bottom of the box has little holes to let water through (but no toys, books or snacks!).

Carrying up to four children!

We added the extra bench early on so that our two kids could sit separately and look at each other. Sitting rear facing at the front of the bike when going downhill is a lot of fun according to my kids! The extra bench also allowed us to pick up a friend from nursery or school for a playdate.

At one point we also mounted a rear seat, allowing us to carry up to four children aged between 1 and 6 years old. Carrying four children on one bike definitely feels like a superpower! We also used the rear seat when our youngest was still in the car seat because while there is enough space to seat children on the bench as well, it is a bit tight.

The box is actually roomy enough for four children; we have had two 2 year-olds and two 5 year-olds in the box comfortably.

You can carry a baby in a car seat by fitting the Baby Car Seat Adapter which comes with a suspension system. We used this setup when our youngest was a baby and then moved her onto a Melia toddler seat, which you fix to the bench. This toddler seat kept her comfortable and snug and provided her with head support, especially when napping in the bike.

I’ve also carried adults (one at a time, up to 6 ft 3) in the box – once moving, it rides smoothly, though manoeuvring with heavier loads takes some muscle.

This bike can be tricky to transport by car unless you’re removing the front wheel or box, or using a large van or people carrier. But once it’s at your home, it does it all.

How stable and manoeuvrable is the Urban Arrow Family?

With its substantial footprint and weight, the Urban Arrow Family actually handles better when loaded. You can push it up a low kerb if needed thanks to the smaller front wheel.

The steering takes some getting used to because you cannot see the front wheel, but once mastered, it’s a breeze. Parking is easy thanks to the sturdy double kickstand.

Finding a suitable parking location might be more challenging as not all cycle parking is suitable for larger bikes. Try reversing the bike if there's not enough space in front of the stand.

Overall verdict of the Urban Arrow Family

Having owned both longtail and box bikes, the Urban Arrow Family wins for comfort, practicality and everyday joy. If you’ve got the storage space and you don’t live in a very hilly area, it’s a brilliant choice.

We’d recommend the Urban Arrow Family to:

• Families with young children (especially if you want to carry a baby)
• People cycling in cities or towns with moderate inclines
• Those who can store a large bike securely
• Anyone replacing car journeys with cycling

Other articles you may be interested in:

• Cycle Sprog review process
• Best electric longtail cargo bikes to carry kids
• Best electric box bikes to carry kids
• How to start cycling with a small child in a bike seat, cargo bike or trailer
• 7 reasons to ride an electric cargo bike with your kids
• What type of cargo bike is best for my family?
• Top things to look out for when buying an electric cargo bike
• Cargo bike insurance: a comprehensive guide
• Best cargo bike locks