How We Sold Our Car and Became a Biking Family

From Car Mode to E-Cargo Mode

With my wife and I both working from home and our daycare just a half-mile away, we decided we no longer could justify the monthly expenses of car ownership. It’s important to clarify we don’t live in a biking utopia like Davis, CA or Boulder, CO; we live in a suburban Michigan community with moderately harsh winters and only modest bike infrastructure. Nevertheless, after much discussion and gaming out different scenarios (i.e. how can we visit family in other parts of our state, what about emergencies, what about the icy road conditions) – we decided we were ready to take the plunge into bike life. After all, we reasoned, we can still take the occasional Uber or bus, and get groceries delivered, right?

Having already gone several multi-year stints without a car in the past in Syracuse and Austin, my partner and I knew what we were signing up for… mostly. But this time was different now that we have a young child. We didn’t plan on swearing off cars forever – but we wanted to save some money, prove we are not utterly car-dependent, and see what life would be like as a biking family.

And with that, we decided to sell our single-family car and replace it with the Tern GSD S10, a longtail cargo e-bike capable of hauling hundreds of pounds. To say this bike has changed our lives would be a massive understatement. Admittedly, our primary reason for this lifestyle change was cutting back on our monthly overhead expenses. However, once we took the leap of faith into a car-free lifestyle, other unexpected silver linings emerged.

Silver Linings

For one, our garage had a bit of an identity crisis. Suddenly freed of its main duty of housing our car, our garage underwent a transformation and emerged as the bike stable, with convenient storage for all our bikes, strollers, wagons, and bike gear. In addition to acquiring a new hangout space, it’s now much faster and easier to gear up for bike riding—another way this lifestyle change has reduced the “transactional cost” required for any given bike journey.  

Speaking of making space, another welcome change was having more free time. With a car, we had a tendency to plan out every weekend with a trip. In fact, we didn’t realize it, but our car was enabling us to overbook ourselves on a fairly consistent basis. Whether visiting inlaws an hour away, or seeing a new park in another city, each car trip individually seemed like a good idea, but the net effect of driving around (especially with a toddler!) resulted in us feeling depleted. Without a car, our weekends became “free”, leaving much-needed space for spontaneous bike adventures and catching up around the house.

Reimagining Errands

Now, whenever we have local errands to run, my son Jack and his trusty woom 1 balance bike are usually coming along for the ride. And wouldn’t you know it, everyday errands such as picking up supplies at the hardware store or a grocery run have transformed into mini-adventures. Getting some milk and eggs in your car is a boring chore. But getting milk and eggs in a cooler strapped to the cargo rack on your e-bike, while your toddler watches in awe – now that provides a sense of accomplishment.

It’s not just because biking is more fun than driving – both for Jack and for me (although it is). Moreover, it’s about the flexibility, fluidity, and freedom that the Tern GSD offers as a car replacement vehicle. It’s the little things – like being able to park directly in front of the daycare dropoff zone or ride right to the shady spot by the beach. It’s about being able to skip the ritual of fussing with the awkward car seat in the hot parking lot – and instead getting right into the fun. Side note: Our Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Maxi child seat is a dream to use - easily fitting on the Tern rear rack, incredibly secure and safe, and significantly easier to get my toddler in and out of compared to a car seat.

Running errands with a toddler on the e-bike is a total game changer. If we see something amazing and Jack wants to stop and look (whether it’s a deer, a cement truck, Halloween decor, or a tandem bike), we can easily do a U-turn, pull over, and take a look! Even small errands like dropping off books at the library don’t have to be “all business” when there’s a little walking trail connecting the library to a playground. In a car - this “bonus” playground visit wouldn’t have been worth the hassle of parking and walking over from the library.

 

Enjoying the Ride (Not Just the Destination)

When driving a car to get to an errand, one understandably chooses the most direct route, or at least the route Google tells us is the shortest duration. When taking your most precious cargo on a bike errand, different logic prevails. Rather than planning out routes to recurring destinations in a strictly “A-to-B” fashion, instead, it pays to optimize for enjoyment rather than efficiency. So, by factoring in the proximity of bike trails and the location of those “relaxed” residential streets with minimal traffic, there’s usually a much more enjoyable route (although it usually adds a bit of distance compared to the “bee-line” route).

Once you’ve mentally rewired your “internal routing software”, you may realize some of your most-frequented locations have a completely different optimal bike route compared to the typical driving route. On my way to Costco, rather than riding down the sidewalk of a noisy, busy thoroughfare that I’d previously driven along, I can instead take the parallel rails-to-trails path – and then let Jack get out (if he wants to) and ride his balance bike on the trail with no cars – brilliant!

The reality is that time spent in a car with a child is rarely “quality time”; usually, it’s just a chore or a necessary means to get to the actual quality time. Reclaiming some of this otherwise “deadweight time” in transit is a big part of how the Tern GSD has transformed our everyday errands and easily facilitated more woom bike rides for my son.

How to Carry a woom 1 on the Tern GSD

So how exactly do I carry a woom bike on the Tern GSD? It’s easy, really – especially with a balance bike. In fact, there are so many different ways I could carry my son’s tiny woom 1 balance bike on this huge beast of a cargo bike, that I had to test out each method to decide which made the most sense for me. Ideally, I wanted to be able to secure my son’s woom bike to the Tern GSD in no more than 30 seconds, and however it was fastened, I wanted it to be very secure, not rattle, and also not block too much cargo space.

I first tried placing the woom 1 inside the Cargo 52 panniers (works decently, but takes up most of pannier), then bungeeing it to the Transporteur front rack (a bit awkward), next towing it from the rear with the Tern Tow Kit + Tail Hitch L (an ingenious setup but overkill for a featherweight balance bike), then using the carrying strap on the woom BUTLER bag to sling the woom 1 over my back (handy in a pinch or short distances, but not ideal for miles), and later stowing it in the trunk of my Burley Encore X trailer (which works, but necessitates the use of a trailer). It didn’t occur to me until months later that Voile straps might make things much simpler! By using two Voile straps and lashing the woom bike frame upside down to the rear of the Tern GSD Clubhouse, I finally achieved my goal - easy on/off, no rattle, with no cargo space blocked. Now when Jack sees his woom bike affixed to our Tern bike, he knows it’s adventure time!

Seamless Adventures 

With this flexible, “always-down-for-adventures” setup in place, we’ve created the right conditions for mini-expeditions to occur totally spontaneously – we can sort out the when and the where on the fly. So, sometimes this means we ride our cargo bike and bring his balance bike to daycare, and Jack isn’t feeling it that day. And sometimes it entails riding to daycare, picking up Jack and strapping him into his child seat on the Tern GSD, crossing that first busy road carefully, and then having him beg to get out a minute later so he can ride his own bike home once we hit our low-trafficked neighborhood streets. And sometimes this means Jack decides to take us on a less direct, meandering ride home through our neighborhood. Yet other times, we take off in the exact opposite direction toward a park, ride around for a bit, and then hop on the cargo bike for a ride home.

This ability to seamlessly transition – Jack going from bike passenger to bike rider, and back again, depending on his whimsy and our safety concerns as parents – has been game-changing. This newfound capability of ours (to ride bikes with our kid either attached or detached from us) has opened up a whole world of exploration, making it nearly effortless to tack on a fun bonus stop onto an otherwise routine errand. Most importantly, Jack gets to feel like he has some say in the matter, some authority to decide how he wants to roll.

A Dynamic Duo: The Tern GSD and the woom 1

There’s something deeply satisfying about witnessing the pairing of these two bikes. When I’m riding the Tern GSD with the woom 1 lashed on, I’m reminded of Hodor carrying Bran in Game of Thrones, or perhaps an aircraft carrier with a speedy nimble jet aboard. On one hand, with the Tern GSD S10, I have the largest, heaviest, and most complex bike I’ve ever ridden – weighing about 60 lbs, powered by the impressive Bosch Cargo Line motor. On the other hand, my son’s woom 1 balance bike lacks a drivetrain, weighs just over 6 lbs, and is powered by two tiny toddler legs.  They are yin and yang: electric vs acoustic, pedals vs foot power, big vs small, heavyweight vs featherweight – duality all across the board. And yet, both the woom 1 balance bike and Tern GSD S10 e-cargo bike are best in class for their respective niche.

Reflecting on their coexistence as a means of childhood mobility – I can attest they’re definitely complementary, not redundant or mutually exclusive. That is to say, zipping all around town with your kid in a cargo e-bike doesn’t take away their desire to ride slower on their own. In fact, it’s quite the opposite; Jack’s interest in biking has only grown the more he’s whisked around on two wheels. Best of both worlds!

Why Biking to Bike is Better

Let’s face it, especially in the U.S., not all streets are conducive to letting a 2-year-old stroll around on their balance bike. So, where does that leave parents of toddlers? It means many parents (understandably so) feel they must either confine their child’s radius to their own driveway or backyard – or, rely on a car to drive them to another safe location in order for them to really get out for an extended, safe, enjoyable ride. But this means planning ahead: packing the bike and helmet, dealing with the dreaded car seat, traffic, ensuring the gas tank isn’t empty, parking, and then finally walking from the parking lot to the designated safe place to bike. None of these preparatory tasks are insurmountable, but collectively, they all but relegate these sorts of family bike rides to the weekends or holidays – a novel thing to do when you have a surplus of free time.

Not only does having a cargo bike mean your kid can easily switch from passenger to riding buddy, it also means it’s easier to get right into the action. In other words, it’s far easier to get right to those idyllic locations where you feel good about letting your little one explore. You know the types of spots I’m talking about: the meandering loop around the neighborhood park, the quiet lakeside road with no through traffic and a great view, the ultra smooth dead-end street with a dirt trail at the end. This is great because people of all ages – even two-year-olds – appreciate variety and switching things up.

Lastly, “biking to bike” instead of driving to bike teaches my son that bikes are more than a novelty item or a children’s toy. It demonstrates to him that bikes are not just fun, but real workhorses capable of getting around town, hauling heavy items or even people.

But What About the Winter?

Once winter began, I read over Tern’s winter riding tips, and added “pogies” (a.k.a. bar mitts) to the handlebars to keep my hands warm, bought a neoprene battery cover, and installed the Tern Storm Shield and Tern Storm Box to the cargo area – creating a warm, weather-proof clubhouse for Jack and a few stuffed animal friends to ride snugly inside. There’s something intensely rewarding about it being cold and snowing and asking your toddler if they’re warm, and hearing an emphatic “yeeaa I’m cozy” from the back seat of the bike. My son, in fact, loves his newfound “clubhouse” and gets stoked to climb inside. He sometimes even asks me to take off the extra blanket I put on him since he’s too hot.

However, this amazing structure on the rear of the e-bike also meant reconsidering my go-to method for easily carrying a woom bike (using the Voile strap to lash the woom bike to the rear “expansion bar” of the Clubhouse). I now have found that carrying a woom on the front Transporteur Rack is the next-best convenient method, and the awkwardness can be minimized with a bit of trial and error and bungee cord magic.

I’ll be the first to admit that during the winter months here in the upper Midwest, my son rides his woom bike less frequently. That said, we definitely don’t just give up when the freezing weather sets in and wait for all the snow to melt. What determines when we get out to ride has less to do with cold temperatures and more to do with road conditions. Also, it’s important to acknowledge your favorite trails may be entirely iced over and unplowed. However, I have found school walkways and playgrounds to be consistently cleared of snow and ideal for young kids to safely go for a winter ride. My rule of thumb: if the low-trafficked neighborhood roads and sidewalks are free of ice and snow (thanks to plows and salt) and the temperature is above 15°F “real feel” (about  -10°C for the rest of the non-American world), then that’s viable biking weather! As the old Scandinavian adage goes: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.”

Some of our go-to winter clothing items include wool base layers, balaclavas (they fit better under helmets), mittens (warmer and easier to get on/off toddler hands), and ski goggles. But having fun family rides in the winter isn’t just about the gear – it’s about the right attitude. It’s going to take longer to get ready; that’s just a fact. But the rewards are worth it, in this author’s opinion. It feels great to get out moving during the unlikeliest time of year – almost like you’re cheating the system, snatching exercise and joy from the jaws of seasonal depression.

Overcoming Winter Challenges

Now, even with all the best gear, there are some days (i.e. right after a blizzard) when it’s wise to leave the bike in the garage. During our months of being car-free, there were a few occasions when I made the 1+ mile trek to and from daycare on foot (with our trusted weather-proof Burley in stroller-mode) rather than biking. If I lived in an even snowier climate, I would probably opt for studded tires.

When challenges arose – and they certainly did – I had to modify my routine. I noticed that riding over wet, heavy snow is a very different situation than riding over a thin dusting of dry, flaky snow. The wet variety tends to cling to the underside of the bike frame and refreeze. After witnessing a sloppy mess of icy slush covering the Tern GSD’s Bosch motor vent, I decided to avoid riding in these conditions if possible. Also, when duties called and I did end up riding in the messy variety of snow, I began placing a space heater facing the bike in the garage for an hour or so after returning to melt the snow.

One time I found the bike’s lockstand – which I utterly rely upon – unable to fully lock into place, rendering me unable to park the unwieldy cargo bike. Rather than panic, I leaned the bike against a wall, and used my gloved hand to wipe the slush, ice, and road grime away from the locking mechanism. A few days later after some research, I installed the handy Atlas Lockstand Protector, which solved my issue moving forward.

Whether carting your own child around on a cargo bike, riding by yourself, or watching your little one wheel around – riding in the winter takes more effort. Expect to take more time layering up before a ride, and more time afterwards wiping down debris from the bike frame, and cleaning and lubricating the chain more often. With that said, it’s entirely doable and incredibly liberating to not let Old Man Winter slow your roll (too much).

Unlocking A New Way to Explore

The best way to get your kiddo out riding their own woom bike more often is to rethink how to access those ideal places for them to ride, and eliminate barriers preventing more everyday easy rides from occurring. And the best way to do that is with a sturdy, ridiculously capable e-cargo bike.

One day, on one of our bike adventures, my son and I rode together to a more extensive park with a series of connected bike paths. Jack let me know when he wanted to get out and ride on his own—after all, getting his buy-in was key to ensuring his high spirits. He then proceeded to amble along on his balance bike for over 3 miles – approximately triple the longest distance he’d ever done previously! Powering him through this groundbreaking experience were a few encouraging facts: he knew at any point if he was tired, he could hop back in the Clubhouse of the Tern GSD. Plus we weren’t constrained to returning to our car at the trailhead – instead I let Jack navigate wherever his heart desired in the trail system… and the new scenery kept him going strong.

In a day and age where we romanticize childhood exploration but are increasingly wary of the dangers of the modern world, I’m incredibly grateful for what my cargo bike has given me: a chance to give my son more safe places to explore, learn, and discover on his woom bike. Whether or not you’re replacing one of your family vehicles, owning a quality e-cargo bike is bound to save you on trips across town, help you find more quality time with your kid, and open up a whole new world when it comes to exploring your surroundings with a toddler.

No Longer Car-Free; Still Bike-First

After seven months of not owning a four-wheeled vehicle, my wife and I finally saved up enough to purchase a decent used car. After all, our goal was never to live forever with a car—but moreover, to demonstrate we weren’t utterly reliant on them, to save some money, and to develop a habit of using our e-bike for local errands in nearly all weather. Success! And our garage? Well, that still belongs to our stable of bikes.

I’ve now found that even with a car available, I still take pride in picking up groceries with the Tern GSD, and still relish being the only parent at daycare on a bike (and love answering questions from other curious parents about my setup). I see these in-town errands as an easy way to save fuel and extend the life of my car, get much-needed exercise, and opportunistically take my son out for more “built-in” woom bike adventures.

In a day and age where we romanticize childhood exploration but are increasingly wary of the dangers of the modern world, I’m incredibly grateful for what my cargo bike has given me: a chance to give my son more safe places to explore, learn, and discover on his woom bike. Whether or not you’re replacing one of your family vehicles, owning a quality e-cargo bike is bound to save you on trips across town, help you find more quality time with your kid, and open up a whole new world when it comes to exploring your surroundings with a toddler.