Bicycles are fantastic modes of transportation when it's just you and maybe some gear in a backpack. But things start to get a little complicated if there also happens to be groceries to grab and/or toddlers to tote. Well, the latest from Taga Bikes is able to handle all that and more. The Taga 2.0 combines the features of a family bike with the load capacity of a cargo bike.
Basic strollers can do only so much, which is why the Taga 1.0 Bike-Stroller was a big deal when it combined the two back in 2008 (as did the Salamander Bicycle more recently). While the Taga 2.0 has been redesigned from scratch and doesn't have a stroller mode, it still retains the familiar elements that made the original such a success.
A dual-handlebar system helps keep the parent closer to kid(s) while shortening the tricycle's overall length. Combined with a unique steering mechanism and lower center of gravity, the Taga 2.0 is designed to provide a safer, more stable ride, especially during turns. Modular seats can be faced either way, recline, and feature multiple harness anchor heights to accommodate children up to eight years old.
But what makes the Taga 2.0 far more versatile is its ability to hold more than just kids – pretty much anything up to 154 lb (70 kg). Child seats are designed to fold down and transform into a lockable lid for the cargo compartment. Once closed, the lid allows for more gear to be stacked on top and secured with a bungee.
Those interested in added coverage can opt for accessories such as canopies, cushions, an attachment bar, mud guards, and even a rear rack to for a third child seat or space for more stuff. The company is also offering an (optional) electric kit to turn the Taga 2.0 into a throttle and/or pedal-assist e-bike. And when not in use, the tricycle's frame separates into two parts for carrying or storage.
The team behind Taga 2.0 is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, having raised 1,029 percent of a US$100,000 goal in two days, with another 58 left to go. Pledges for a basic Taga 2.0 Family Bike start at $649, with add-ons purchased separately.
Prototyping, tooling, and testing have already been completed. So if production goes according to schedule, backers can expect shipments to start as early as this October.
Sources: Taga Bikes, Kickstarter
