Marta rides her red i:SY N3.8 every day, usually with her dog along in the front cargo box. To work, to the market, for groceries. And preferably via the lovely cycle paths towards the city, past the Blue Gate, where she can ride at a relaxed pace and catch up with whoever is riding alongside her.
“I couldn’t do without it.”
The first ride
Marta is honest about it: at first it took a little getting used to. With the cargo box up front, she couldn’t see her front wheel, and the compact frame section doesn’t pivot the way a regular bike does. “That was just a tiny bit exciting”, she laughs. But that feeling disappeared quickly. Take the box off and you can see everything perfectly, and she got used to the steering in no time at all.
More confidence on the road
Since riding her i:SY, Marta cycles with a lot more enjoyment and confidence. She goes further, looks around, chats along the way. She still respects the rules of the road, but a bike ride is now simply fun.
“I really enjoy cycling. I dare to go further, I can talk, I can look around.”
Out and about with the dog
Her husband also has an electric cargo bike, but he feels every movement the dog makes. For Marta, that’s not an issue at all. She feels very safe with her dog up front, and even found a handy way to secure him so he can’t jump out. Not that he tries anyway, he clearly loves it in there.
Ready for anything
Commuting, leisure, and above all: groceries. To the market with the dog, and back with the dog and the shopping. Marta finds the lower cargo box ideal: you keep a clear overview, even with a plant, a taller box or a bag inside. And when the children ride along, the low box means they also have a great view of the road.
“Every single ride, really. Going to the market with the dog and coming back with the groceries. This bike can just do everything.”
Her tip for anyone who’s unsure
Marta used to hear it herself: those small wheels, that short frame, is that really a good bike? Her answer is clear. Don’t look at how it looks, look at what you need. For her, 25 km/h is more than enough. She wants to sit comfortably, have a good view of everything around her, and be able to carry all kinds of things. And it ticks every one of those boxes.
“It’s the comfort of a full-size bike, just in a smaller package. Not one bit worse. Just go for a test ride.”
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