Rules for transporting children on cargo bikes and trailers

cargo bike

  • The driver of the cargo bike must be at least 16 years old
  • Cargo bikes have no limit on the number of passengers. Four children up to the age of 7 are typical.
  • Transport solution e.g. seats, transport box etc. must prevent the child from getting his feet into the spokes
  • According to the manufacturer, the bicycle is designed for the transport of people, e.g. rickshaws can be used to transport adults and children from 7 years of age
  • The permissible total weight of the cargo bike must not be exceeded
  • Children must be buckled up
  • Germany: No helmet requirement for children

Bicycle trailer

  • Driver of the team must be at least 16 years old
  • max. 2 children up to the age of 7 may be transported in the trailer
  • Trailer must be suitable for transporting children
  • Trailers may only be towed by bicycles or 25km/h Pedelecs (E-Bikes)
  • The permissible total weight of the towing bicycle or trailer must not be exceeded
  • Transport of babies in hammock possible
  • Children must be strapped in the trailer
  • Germany: No helmet requirement for children

How many children or people can be transported on a cargo bike?

There are no strict regulations for transporting people on bicycles. The requirement for a permit only applies to motor vehicles. However, the law defines rules and regulations for transporting children on and by bicycle.

see Section 21 Paragraph 3 StVO:

Persons aged 16 or over may only be carried on bicycles if the bicycles are also constructed and equipped for passenger transport. Children up to the age of seven may be carried on bicycles of persons aged 16 or over if special seats are provided for the children and wheel covers or equally effective devices ensure that the children's feet cannot get caught in the spokes. [...] The restriction to the age of seven does not apply to the transport of a disabled child.

How many children can be transported in the bicycle trailer?

The regulations for bicycle trailers are much stricter and more clearly worded. A maximum of two children up to seven years old may be carried in a bicycle trailer by persons 16 years of age or older (see Section 21, Paragraph 3 of the German Road Traffic Act):


[...]Up to two children up to the age of seven may be carried behind bicycles in trailers designed for the transport of children by persons aged 16 or over. The restriction to the age of seven does not apply to the transport of a disabled child.

Are children allowed to be transported in a bicycle trailer behind a cargo bike?

Since the law classifies bicycles and cargo bikes of all types as the same class (not motor vehicles), they are treated equally in the law. If the bicycle trailer is suitable or designed for transporting children, children may be transported behind the cargo bike in the bicycle trailer. Conversely, this also means that children may be transported on and behind the bicycle at the same time.