My name is Kathleen. I’m a content creator and social media manager. I live in Antwerp, Belgium, with my husband and our two dachshunds. Actually, everything in our life revolves around those two.

Our day always starts with cuddles, some playtime, and a walk outside. While the dachshunds take their morning nap afterward, I work on my assignments. In the afternoon it’s playtime again: we usually bike to a park, or into the city to visit their favorite spots.

I mainly want getting around to feel good. It shouldn’t drain my energy, it should actually give me energy. Reliable, smooth, and stress-free.

In 2020, during the COVID period, I became ill and had a lot of panic attacks. The car was my biggest enemy. I would freeze just at the thought of having to drive in traffic.

I did everything by bike, and Jerom (who was still a puppy back then) sat in the basket on the front of my bike. But he grew bigger and bigger and eventually didn’t fit anymore. We bought our first cargo bike and I immediately experienced a regained sense of freedom. It was amazing.

Today, the panic attacks are gone and I can drive a car again without any issues. But the rule stayed the same: as little as possible. We do almost everything on foot or by bike, even longer distances, even in the rain, even when it’s windy. I’d rather get wet ten times than sit in traffic.

I get a lot of stress from how unpredictable it is to drive into the city by car. Traffic is unpredictable, I hate traffic jams, and I really don’t like arriving late. Those are all issues I don’t have when I’m on a bike. Even if it’s a bit busier, it still feels good: you’re outside, you’re moving, and you feel free.

When we first got the Tarran, I was genuinely blown away by all the features and technical innovations. It felt so good. I often compared it to the options you’d have in a car, like my car on two wheels.

But the more I rode it, the more I realized those features actually have a real impact on how safe I feel. The cameras - which are of course great for a content creator - are basically my rear-view mirror. I can see what’s happening behind me without having to turn around. It’s also really useful when my sister’s kids are riding behind me when I take them to school: I can keep a close eye on them.

With my previous cargo bike, I didn’t really dare to leave it “alone” in the city. I was always afraid it would get stolen. The Tarran has a very strong anti-theft system, and that gives me a huge sense of peace of mind.

Where I used to take the cargo bike into the city much less, or always parked it somewhere I could keep it in sight, I’m now much more relaxed. I can leave it behind with peace of mind.

With our previous cargo bike, we also always tried to pick streets without cobblestones. Believe me: that’s not easy in Antwerp. The suspension on our first cargo bike was terrible. And for dachshunds - with their vulnerable backs - that really wasn’t good. With the Tarran, which has phenomenal suspension, that whole puzzle is gone. We now ride cobblestone streets too, without having to think twice.

Our previous cargo bike became too small once we got our second dachshund. They weren’t comfortable anymore, and that, besides safety, is a top priority for me.

Both dogs can ride in the Tarran without any issues, and they sit comfortably. They’re also very easy to secure thanks to the dedicated hook in the storage pocket. With the previous cargo bike, that was always a bit of DIY and fiddling around.

My husband also has a cargo bike, and the old one is still in the garage. But when we walk up to the 3 bikes, Jerom automatically goes straight to the Tarran every time. That tells me everything: Jerom clearly prefers riding in the Tarran.

We honestly don’t even think about it anymore: car or bike? We don’t consciously make that choice anymore, because it’s almost automatically always the bike. It’s like that question has disappeared from our minds.

I’ve discovered how much quality time can be found in something as simple as biking together. No stress, no traffic jams, no searching for parking... just being outside with my dachshunds. It turns “getting from A to B” into a little moment in the day that I actually look forward to.