EBikeCommuting

With their strong environmental credentials together with the fact that they are a cost-effective way to get around, many commuters are now turning to electric bikes for a little extra power.

In Europe, e-bikes have long been a popular way of getting to work. There’s no doubt that for most short to medium urban commutes on congested roads, they are as fast or faster than travelling by car or bus. You can also design a route taking in towpaths or bridleways to shorten your journey as well as avoiding busy roads and giving you a more scenic start or end to the day – cycling is a lot less stressful than the usual commute, adding a little quiet time to our hectic lifestyles. You won’t even need to worry about finding a parking space when you get to work!

The addition of an electric motor means that even the less fit commuter , or someone with an injury, can confidently take to two wheels - hilly evening detours suddenly become an effortless possibility! And, as your fitness increases, you can lower your level of assistance in order to get a good workout.

As the body is working less than on a traditional bike, it’s easier for the e-biker to be prepared for changeable weather without the need to carry extra gear. You can enjoy the convenience of arriving at work cool and dry with no need for a change of clothes on a dry day; and you can dress for potential poor conditions on a warmer day knowing that you’re not going to get hot and sweaty from too much exertion.

E-bikes are also an extremely cost-effective way of commuting – they have low running costs with no need for fuel, road tax, insurance or a licence and there’s no charge for parking! A high end e-bike bought on our 0% interest deal over two or three years will comfortably save you a reasonable chunk of money compared with the cost of petrol or the spiralling price of public transport – with your e-bike keeping you fit and healthy, you might even be able to ditch your gym membership! In addition, at the end of the time, you’ll have a bike to show for it which you can also enjoy in your leisure time. Many people will also be able to take advantage of their employer’s Cycles to Work scheme, making an e-bike even more affordable.

E-bikes are a really flexible way to travel – with most trains happy to carry a number of bikes (whether electric or manual), mixed journeys are fast and feasible, even if you live a longer distance from work. You can easily add a pannier rack if you need to carry work gear or heavy luggage without having to worry about the extra weight, even on steep rides. There’s also the option of mounting a tagalong on the back so that you can pull your child to school without breaking a sweat - mornings may suddenly become a high point of their day! There’s no problem with partially charging most e-bikes, so you can top up the battery on or off the bike, giving the option of charging your bike at your workplace.

So why not take a fresh look at how you get to work and make an e-bike part of your healthier lifestyle? Completely unfazed by hills and extreme gradients, electric bikes help you to comfortably ride the quiet, hilly back roads and avoid the hassle of congested commuter routes. After an effortless journey, you can arrive at work refreshed, alert and ready to face the day. Knowing you’ve burnt off a few calories along the way, you can even enjoy a guilt-free Danish pastry to celebrate!