Urban Arrow Tales: Family Wygaerts on the move

Who are you?

We are Caroline and Frédric, recently celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary, and we live right in the heart of Antwerp with our three kids: our identical twins Joséphine & Othilie (4) and their little brother Alphonse (1). You can definitely call us real city people.

Caroline combines content creation and interior styling with teaching marketing at Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, while Frédric works full-time at a brewery. Together, we try to organize our busy city life to be as practical and beautiful as possible. By now, we are a true Urban Arrow family: we actually have two of them! We use them every single day for pretty much everything. Groceries, swimming lessons, school runs, shopping trips... we navigate the city through all kinds of weather. The bike is still faster than the car, even when it snows!

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

For us, it was really the need for practical comfort. With the twins, and later of course with our son joining us, we wanted to move freely through the city without being constantly dependent on a car. The Urban Arrow literally gave us more freedom. Getting three kids in and out of car seats, trying to find a parking spot nearby... No thanks. Just give me three helmets to put on, buckle them in, and go! Looking back, it has made the city feel so much smaller, and I say 'YES' to spontaneous plans much quicker.

When did you first go out with the twins? And what do you remember about this first cargo bike adventure?

That was back when the twins were still really small, I think around 6 months old. I mostly remember how free I suddenly felt. Popping over to see the giraffes at the zoo: we were there in just 10 minutes! Wonderful.

Alphie joined the crew even earlier; he was already riding in his Maxi-Cosi, using the baby car seat adapter, in the box at 3 months old. You’d see his big sisters tickling his feet and giving him his pacifier along the way. Truly heartwarming.

What is it like to cycle with the three of them in the box?

It is so adorable to see the three of them interacting. They have full conversations with their little brother in the bike, and he just looks around in absolute awe! They really look out for each other; one sister sits on the front bench, while Alphie and the other sister are buckled into the back. It almost makes me want to hop in there with them. In the meantime, we all chat about everything and anything, without me losing my focus on traffic.

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

Nothing feels 'far' anymore. A quick detour after school for ice cream, popping by the bakery for a fresh croissant (at Leo on Solvynsstraat, highly recommended!), or eating sandwiches in the bike while the crumbs happily fall through the bottom... A short stop at the park, everything in the city is just faster and more relaxed. It takes so much stress out of the logistics of having three kids.

Freedom, speed in the city, and above all, convenience are the biggest benefits for us. Literally everything can come along: the kids, schoolbags, groceries, scooters, toys, and even... small furniture! That last one is obviously ideal for my interior design projects. It also feels so much cozier than cramming everyone separately into a car. Just getting some fresh air is such a nice way to start and end a busy day. The city has become so much smaller because of it, and I say 'YES' to spontaneous plans much more quickly.

What always goes with you in the cargo bike, and have you added specific accessories or modifications to make it more convenient?

Snacks, helmets, a bag of toys, and in the winter, cozy blankets and fairy lights for decoration! Every season has its own theme: little pumpkins for autumn, Christmas lights for the holidays, and even disco balls to keep the festive vibe alive in January. It's such a fun way to start the day in the morning!

When it comes to accessories, we mainly chose things that make life practical with three kids. We have great weather protection, like the raincover, and of course an extra bench for the three children, or sometimes for a friend, because you can actually fit four kids in there. We also have the LED lights because safety comes first, and a rear carrier, which is perfect for quickly throwing on some extra items!

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

I really can’t miss my Urban Arrow anymore, not even for a single day when it's away for a service. I feel completely lost without it. Especially in the city, it changes your daily life immensely. I’m honestly not a great cyclist myself, but with the cargo bike, it feels completely different and safe. It’s also not tiring at all. Once you get used to it, you really can't live without it.

Which fun spots in Antwerp and the surrounding area would you recommend to other families?

• The Zuidpark: amazing for letting the kids run around freely. It has a playground, water features, flowers everywhere, and plenty of space for a picnic. It gives off mini New York Central Park vibes right here in Antwerp.

• Blue Fonz on Kloosterstraat: my absolute favorite antique shop and a true hidden gem. There’s something from Fons in almost every room of our house. And the fact that our son is named Alphonse... Coincidence? Who knows! It's especially great on a Sunday since they are open then too. But be warned: you will likely want to buy everything. Consider yourself warned!

• Caffenation Blue: our favorite coffee spot with a lovely shaded terrace and lots of space both inside and out. Very important when you're on the move with three kids and a mountain of gear!