Human Powered Versus Electric Bike

When we got our first Christiania Bike, electric assist wasn’t even an option. And honestly, we didn’t mind. Our kids were small, we were younger, and life was mostly lived close to home—school, the grocery store, the beach. A cargo trike was perfect. It was a joyful, practical, human-powered way to get around the neighborhood.

But as time rolled on, something changed.

Okay—a few things changed. The kids got bigger. The hills started feeling a bit... hillier. And more people started asking us: “Do these come electric?”

So in 2018, we brought in our first E-Christianias—and it was like someone opened up the map.

Suddenly, we weren’t just cruising to the market or school drop-off. We were riding all over town. The electric assist meant no more dodging hills, no more hesitating to bring both kids, and no second-guessing whether we’d really make it across town for that dinner reservation.

The E-Christiania didn’t replace the experience—it just widened the range. We were still riding outside, wind in our faces. Still moving our bodies. Still choosing not to drive. But we could say yes to more: more distance, more spontaneity, more fun.

So, which is better?

They’re both kind of perfect—depending on the season of your life.

If you’re mostly sticking to your neighborhood, love a little movement, and want to keep things simple and maintenance-light, a classic Christiania trike is a dream. It’s quiet, charming, and absolutely capable.

But if you’ve got growing kids, longer distances, or the occasional steep hill in your path, the E-Christiania might be your new best friend. You’ll get all the delight of a Christiania—plus the superpower of electric assist.

In the end, it's not about the motor. It’s about moving through your city on your own terms, with the people (or dogs, or groceries) you love along for the ride.