I used to run a blog for biking with kids in Los Angeles. Consequently, I've owned an Urban Arrow (Bosch motor), Gazelle ebike (bosch), and a Dutch Workcycles Cargo bike. I've also test ridden Riese & Mueller, Tern GSD and even done comparison tests of ebikes with other obsessive bike owners...The Xtracycle is the best of them all (which is why I bought one). This bike rocks because its Shimano motor climbs hills better than the Bosch equivalent, and yet it still feels like a regular handling bike when I turn the motor off to get some extra exercise. My kids LOVED this bike, but now they are old enough to pedal themselves across town, so I can't justify keeping it around any longer. I will sincerely deeply miss it.
The best family cargo bikes have one thing in common: One wheel is large than the other. The center of gravity is lower on the back of an Xtracycle because the rear wheel is smaller than the front wheel. It makes it way more stable biking around with all that weight. That's the special sauce. The bike also carries larger kids better than box bikes like the Urban Arrow or small wheeled bikes like the Tern. Okay, there's one more thing: They have incredible brakes. You need stopping power with all that weight. Don't cheap out. Get the best cargo bike you can buy for a great price.
We've ridden it about 2500 miles. Works good as new. With the saddle bags, hooptie, and front rack/bag it cost $5700 new (the accessories add up big time), so it's good price for a GREAT BIKE.
(I'm keeping the Brooks saddle in one of the photos and will put the original saddle back on the bike)