Van Rixtel Cargo Bikes

Van Rixtel: Dutch cargo bike brand focused on tricycles

Van Rixtel is a brand that stands out through a few concrete choices, not through marketing. Three wheels instead of two, an EPP box instead of wood or metal, and a low step-through instead of a sporty frame. The brand is sold through several Dutch retailers and targets specific use cases: families transporting children, entrepreneurs carrying groceries or stock, and dog owners who want to take their dog on the bike.

The complete Van Rixtel range consists of a few models on the same tricycle platform. The Family is the family cargo bike with space for two to four children. The Dog is the same tricycle but with a box designed for dogs. The older Urban and Urban Plus are the more classic versions with a more traditional box layout. On this Gofatbike page, you currently find the Dog model in five colors.

What makes the Van Rixtel Dog different

The Dog is not a converted family cargo bike with a blanket inside. It is a model designed from the drawing board for carrying a dog. A soft-close door on the side so your dog can step in by itself. A low step from the ground to the box. A washable EPP interior. And a front kickstand so the bike stays stable while your dog gets in.

The tricycle frame is especially important here. With a two-wheeled cargo bike, you have to keep balance when stationary, and if something moves in the box, you feel it in the handlebars. With a tricycle, that disappears. Two rear wheels and one front wheel mean the bike stands when you’re not riding, even when your dog steps in or turns around. For many dogs, that’s the difference between getting in voluntarily or not.

The EPP box is a second distinctive choice. EPP is a lightweight foam, the same material used in child car seats. It absorbs shocks, withstands cold and moisture, and you can rinse it clean after a muddy walk. Similar cargo bikes often use wooden or metal boxes that are heavier and require more maintenance.

Specifications of the Van Rixtel Dog

Motor: 250W Ananda rear wheel motor with torque sensor (45Nm). The torque sensor responds to how hard you pedal, not just whether the pedals are turning. This makes the assistance feel natural, even with a dog on board.

Range: up to 50 km on a single battery charge. How much you actually get depends on how much you pedal yourself, how heavy your dog is, and the terrain. More than enough for a daily park ride or a trip to the forest.

Speed: support up to 25 km/h. The Dog is fully legal on public roads, no license plate required, no helmet required.

Wheel size: 20 inch front, 26 inch rear. This combination makes the bike agile in the city and stable on straighter sections.

Weight: 59 kg. On the lighter side for an electric three-wheeled cargo bike.

Load: maximum 120 kg for the rider, 80 kg in the cargo box. Suitable for one large or two medium-sized dogs.

Also: hydraulic disc brakes, spoke-free rims that require no maintenance, low step-through for the rider, and an adjustable saddle.

What you need to know before you order

Delivery: free throughout the Netherlands, usually within one to two weeks. The bike arrives in a box.

Color options: all five versions — desert sand, graphite, nardo grey, midnight black, and olive green — have the same technology. You choose purely based on appearance.

Payment: installment payments available via in3 (three installments) or SprayPay (up to sixty months, credit check).

Online purchase: at Gofatbike you buy online, without a showroom or test ride location. If you want to see and try the cargo bike first, you can find physical locations at other Van Rixtel dealers in the Netherlands.

Is the Van Rixtel Dog right for you?

Yes, if you have a dog that can’t walk the distances you want to cover. An older dog, a dog with joint problems, or just a large dog you don’t want to carry in the car often. The Dog makes cycling with your dog practical, even if the destination is farther than a walk.

No, if you don’t have a dog or mainly transport children or groceries. The cargo box is not designed for that. In that case, consider a family cargo bike like the Vogue Carry or a longtail e-bike, depending on what you carry daily.

Unsure between the Dog and another Van Rixtel model? The Family has the same technology but with a more open box for children. Want a dog cargo bike but something more compact? A regular cargo bike with a built-in dog basket or a longtail with a dog crate is a cheaper solution for smaller dogs.

Also check out: cargo bikes | Vogue cargo bikes | longtail e-bikes | e-bikes