This article refers to Short Haul bikes. If you would like to carry passengers on another Tern bike, click here.
The Short Haul’s rear rack is optimized to carry one small passenger. To do so safely, you’ll need to follow two principles: understand and respect the bike’s passenger-carrying limits, and select the appropriate passenger accessories for your needs.
Read on to learn more about carrying passengers on the Short Haul.
Contents
- What is the Short Haul’s Max Gross Vehicle Weight?
- How much passenger weight can I carry on the Short Haul?
- How many passengers can I carry on the Short Haul?
- What is the Tern Passenger System?
- Suggested passenger setups
- Weather protection options for the Short Haul
- Carrying a dog on the Short Haul
- Friendly reminders
What is the Short Haul’s Max Gross Vehicle Weight?
The Short Haul’s Max Gross Vehicle Weight (MGVW) is 140 kg (308.6 lb).
MGVW is the maximum weight that a bike has been designed to carry safely. The weight of the Bicycle* + Accessories + Rider(s)** + Cargo + Trailer*** must be less than the MGVW for safe riding.
*Bicycle = Refers to weight of the bike plus battery(ies)
**Rider(s) = weight of the cyclist and any passengers
***Trailer = Refers to weight of the trailer with no braking system AND weight of any cargo or passenger(s) on the trailer. Trailers with a braking system should not be included in the MGVW calculation.
For reference, the Short Haul weighs approximately 16.1 kg (35.4 lb).
How much passenger weight can I carry on the Short Haul?
The Short Haul’s rear Atlas Q Rack is rated to 50 kg (110 lb). That means the rack has been tested and proven reliable up to that load limit.
To determine how much passenger weight you can carry, please follow these two steps:
Step 1: Make sure the rear rack load is under 50 kg. Keep in mind that this load limit includes the passenger weight plus the weight of any rear rack accessories and cargo.
Step 2: Make sure the total weight of passenger + rider + Short Haul + any installed accessory + cargo + trailer is under 140 kg.
If you are towing a trailer, don't forget to also subtract the weight of the trailer and any cargo or passenger(s) on the trailer. Please note that trailers with an independent braking system should not be included in the MGVW calculation.
How many passengers can I carry on the Short Haul?
The Short Haul can safely carry one (1) passenger on the rear rack, in or out of a child seat.
It's possible to carry a second (very young) passenger in a front-mounted child seat, though steering and handling may be affected due to the weight of the child being placed higher above ground. We strongly advise familiarizing yourself with the setup by first practicing in a safe area with a similar weight (to the child) in the front-mounted child seat.
What is the Tern Passenger System?
It’s a framework that includes all our passenger-carrying accessories, and always requires five elements in order to safely carry passengers:
- Seating: Purpose-built rear seating, chosen according to the passenger's needs
- Handhold: Something for the passenger to hold on to, other than the bike itself
- Foot support: Something to keep the passenger’s legs tucked safely against the sides of the bike
- Foot and leg protection: Something to prevent feet and legs from getting caught in the spinning wheel
- Double kickstand: Dual-leg kickstand with a wide stance for extra stability when loading or unloading passenger
Suggested passenger setups
1 young kid
See child seat manufacturer's age and weight recommendations
- Seating: 1 compatible child seat*
- Double kickstand: DuoStand
*Child seats should always include the required elements for safe passenger carrying: seating, safety harness, foot support, foot and leg protection.
2 young kids
See child seat manufacturer's age and weight recommendations
- Seating: 1 compatible child seat (rear rack-mounted), 1 front-mounted child seat*
- Double kickstand: DuoStand
*Front-mounted child seats place the weight of the child quite high, and make steering and handling more difficult. Read here if you are considering this type of setup.
1 big kid
Big Kid: Has outgrown the child seat and can sit unaided
- Seating: Clubhouse Seat Pad plus Clubhouse Backrest
- Handhold: Clubhouse Mini Gen 1 OR Clubhouse Mini Gen 2 (add bar tape for extra grip and comfort)
- Foot support: Sidekick Stirrups (recommended passenger height: 110+ cm or 3’7"+)
- Foot and leg protection: Sidekick Wheel Guard M
- Double kickstand: DuoStand
1 passenger
≥ 36 kg (79 lb)
- Seating + Handhold: Captain's Chair
- Foot support: Sidekick Stirrups (recommended passenger height: 110+ cm or 3’7"+)
- Foot and leg protection: Sidekick Wheel Guard M
- Double kickstand: DuoStand
Weather protection options for the Short Haul
The Clubhouse Fort Mini is a great solution for carrying one kid in all kinds of weather, and it works with both child seat or seat pad seating configurations (learn more: What is the Clubhouse Fort Mini?).
The accessories needed to build the Clubhouse Fort Mini depend on whether you have the Clubhouse Mini Gen 2 or Clubhouse Mini Gen 2 passenger bars.
Clubhouse Mini Gen 1With fixed rails and rear bar 
| Clubhouse Mini Gen 2With opening side rail and swappable rear bar 
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Note: Children can vary widely in maturity and physical development. All passenger weight guidelines represent our recommendations and should be adapted as needed for your child’s safety. Please ensure your passenger setup is within the weight limits described above. As always, please follow local regulations regarding passengers and safety equipment.
Carrying a dog on the Short Haul
For many of us, the dog is part of the family. If you’re looking for a specially-designed solution to carry your buddy, we recommend the following setups:
Rear pet carrier for small to medium-size dogs, up to 13.5 kg (30 lb) | Front pet carrier for small dogs up to 7 kg (15 lb) |
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Required accessories: | Required accessories: |
Friendly reminders
- Most riders can comfortably carry 80% of their weight. Determine if you are comfortable carrying that much weight.
- Check your local regulations to make sure carrying passengers on a bike is legal in your area.
- Helmets are cool! Rider and passenger(s) are advised to wear an approved helmet.
- Do not leave children unattended on the bike, even if it is on the kickstand.
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