In the 1960's Copenhagen was sprawling like a North American citiy. Not a bike lane in sight. However, there was a small car-free island in the middle of town called Christiana. There began the Christiana cargo bike. It was heavy, used box-pivot steering, and wasn't that different from a Babboe Big, but it worked.

As citizens protested the proposed ring roads it became clear that bikes would be the answer. However, with few bike lanes in place, the Danes felt unsure on two wheeled cargo bikes, but equally unsure on the clunky Christiana three-wheelers.

Nihola was borne in the same context as many North American cities today. It had to be stable like a three wheeler but nimble like a two wheeler. And it had to be light. That's why it's the perfect bike to 'Copenhagenize' cities. Let's dig in!

Perhaps Nihola's greatest contribution to cargo bike design is its independent steering. Our rule for cargo bikes is simple. First, it must be impact resistant. Second, it must be stable - and a three wheeler is! But third, it must be nimble, because in a cities that don't have bike infrastructure, bikes compete in the same space as cars - and that's where handling becomes just as important as stability.

Whereas most cargo bikes steer by 'swinging' the entire box left to right, the Nihola steers much like your car. And, because you're not swinging a heavy box left and right, it is light to the touch and highly responsive.

The box on a cargo bike is not just about storage, it's about safety. And, safety means impact-resistance. All of the cargo bikes we import are rigorously tested in the EU to protect precious cargo against crashes and collisions.

Each company approaches impact resistance differently, but if they're from the EU, each takes it very seriously. Urban Arrow uses EPP helmet foam. Babboe uses marine grade Finnish hardwood. Bullitt uses aircraft-grade honeycomb boards.

The Nihola box is surrounded by welded steel tubes and covered by impact-resistant Lexan plastic. The same stuff found in hockey rinks to sustain massive body checks. This keeps the bikes weight low and the safety very high.

Few people in Copenhagen or dense North American cities have places to store their cargo bikes. They probably also don't have a great deal of tolerance for high maintenance gears and brakes.

That's why Nihola (like 90% of our cargo bikes) use internal gears and brakes. These are proven low maintenance systems that are remarkably reliable (and durable) and which seal all mechanisms behind tons of o-ring seals.

This is very different from most North American bikes which use external derailleurs and brakes, both of which require constant attention and are susceptible to easy damage.

Need an assist? Sometimes heavier cargo and bigger hills require an added bit of oomph.

Unlike Urban Arrow, Bullitt or Babboe, Nihola does not make an integrated e-assist bike. Perhaps one day! Instead, we install a kit.

Choosing kit require experience and discernment. Our criteria is that it come from a proven company who have made the investment in North American service centres, because after-sales service is key. We use the Bafang BBSHD kit. A powerful 500W motor that you can install now or later. If you plan on installing later, we recommend buying the disc brake model. Email eric@curbsidecycle.com for more details!

Image: https://engineerdog.com/2015/09/09/engineering-a-3-wheel-vehicle-chassis/

There are two different kinds of 3-wheeled trikes. Delta's, which have the two wheels at the back (also known as Rickshaws) and Tadpoles, which have both wheels at the front. Tadpoles are much better.

On a tadpole, both front wheels steer, offering much more control and way less tippiness. Moreover, on a Tadpole the centre of gravity is much lower, contributing to enhanced control and handling. The drivetrain attaches to one acceleration wheel, rather than two, so one is not steering against the drive wheel all the time.

The other great thing? You can see your cargo!

Danish bikes are famous for being upright and comfortable, and this is certainly true for the Nihola bikes. Not only do you sit high above traffic - so you can look out for danger - you're also in a relaxed position with your shoulders squared and your back upright.

And, with the super low step-through frame it's easy to hop off safely!

Safe, comfortable, and a joy to ride - that's the Nihola difference!