Urban Arrow Tales: Family Truijens on the move

Who are you?

We are Jasper (37), working at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, and Sophie (36), who works at the hospital. Together with our two daughters, Fleur (3.5) and Iris (almost 2), we live in the beautiful, green village of Waalre, located just a stone's throw away from the bustling city of Eindhoven. It’s the perfect spot for us, offering a peaceful environment while still being close to work and the city center. Since 2023, we have officially been part of the Urban Arrow community, and we haven't looked back since.

What was the main reason you decided to purchase an Urban Arrow cargo bike?

Living in such a green area, we really wanted to experience our surroundings to the fullest. We aim to do as much as possible by bike; it’s a wonderful way to be outside, stay moving, and let the children see so much more of the world than they would from the back of a car. Plus, being better for the environment makes it a true win-win-win.

Before we made the switch, we looked into 'mom-bikes,' but the Urban Arrow offered so much more in terms of luggage capacity and keeping the kids sheltered from the elements. The ability to easily bring a baby along in a baby car seat was a major factor for us as our family grew. After test-riding several different brands and models, the Urban Arrow won us over completely, mainly because of its incredible riding comfort and how naturally it handles, even when fully loaded.

When did you first go out with Fleur and Iris? And what do you remember about this first cargo bike adventure?

Our first real ride was in the summer, right after Iris's maternity weeks. We had Fleur in a toddler seat and Iris in the baby car seat. We cycled to the Genneper Hoeve. We remember it well: it was wonderful to be able to go out again, to be outside, and to have a coffee and cake together. It was the perfect way to get back out there as a family.

How has the cargo bike changed your daily routine, and what are the biggest benefits?

So, we’ve always cycled a lot, but thanks to the cargo bike, we were luckily able to continue that lifestyle when the children arrived. The freedom is definitely the biggest plus: because of this, we don’t need a second car.

It’s simply very practical: the bike stands firmly for loading and unloading the kids and our things, and with the raincover, the girls always stay dry. So no hassle with rain suits! We get everywhere quickly, can easily bring our stuff, and the best part is that the children see much more of their surroundings than when they are in the car.

What always goes with you in the cargo bike, and did you add any specific accessories?

The girls' helmets, a chain lock, and usually the raincover are our standard essentials. To make the bike even more practical, we used the Baby Car Seat Adapter with suspension during the months when our youngest couldn't sit upright yet. It was the perfect way to have her join us on our rides early on.

And for a bit of fun in the winter: we put battery-powered Christmas lights under the raincover. The kids love it, and we get some really nice reactions from people on the road!

Do you have any tips for families considering a cargo bike?

Go for test rides on all kinds of different models. There’s a real difference in how each bike feels and how smooth the ride is. For us, the riding comfort of the Urban Arrow was what eventually won us over.

Which fun spots in Waalre or Eindhoven would you recommend other families to visit by (cargo) bike? 

There are some great places to visit by bike in our area, however here are our top favourites:

One of them is the Genneper Hoeve in Eindhoven, which is a lovely place to visit with the kids. It’s a lovely organic farm where you can see the animals and enjoy the outdoors, a perfect destination for a family ride. We also really enjoy going to the Oerse Molenbakker in Veldhoven: it’s a beautiful traditional windmill where they bake delicious bread and it's a great spot for breakfast or lunch. Another place we’d recommend is the Philips Fruittuin, especially for a stop at the pancake restaurant 'De Proeftuin'.