We’ve been trying to work out how to fit exercise into our week. The commute to work is just a little bit far to run or ride, and after work we quickly get busy with other things, like seeing our kids before they fall asleep. Weekends seem few and far between, and rapidly fill with all the other things we “need” to get done.
Electric bikes seem to be a great answer to managing the commute more rapidly and hence a little bit more regularly. Without one, we rode 0 days, so adding an electric bike has meant we’ve increased the number of times we ride to and from work from 0 to 3 times weekly.
Before rushing out to buy one, it’s worth thinking about what bicycle will suit you. Electric bikes have variable range per charge. Some will achieve 30km while others can get further than 10km between charges. Also check your workplace or destination: if you will need to charge up there, is there a power point near a secure place to store your bike? Similarly, is there somewhere you can charge and store it at home?
Over 25km/hr, the support drops away, so you’ll be much more under your own steam at that stage. If possible, borrow or hire an e-bike before buying one, and make sure you try it on your commute to get a sense of what the trip will be like before committing your funds to one.
Happy riding!
