With summer set to start, up and down the country families will be opening their garages and realising that the bicycles they put away in 2022 are no longer perfect for 2023. Kids grow, cycles get old and sometimes the owners need a little boost to get where they want to go. For a number of reasons, now is the perfect time to consider electric bicycles.
This time last year, fossil fuels were getting close to £2 a litre from some petrol stations and although they’ve dropped back from that peak – over the long term, they will only continue to rise.
At the same time, intertest rates are now so high, that any reduction in household bills is going to provide a welcome respite.
Finally, we could all do with being a little fitter, but maybe with a little less sweat and tears.
Electric bicycles can help with all of these issues and they provide added safety in the city, when they help you get up to speed away from the lights – without the ‘standing on the pedals wobbles’ that associate with traditional cycles.
Electric bicycles are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, and for good reason. Here are six reasons why you should consider buying one:
- Environmentally-friendly: With clean air zones being introduced in major UK cities, eBikes offer a zero-emission alternative to driving a car
- Easier commuting: eBikes allow you to take advantage of cycle networks and quieter roads, making inner-city commuting quicker and easier
- Cost-effective: eBikes are much more affordable than cars and once you’ve made the initial purchase, the cost of charging it is much cheaper than filling up with fuel
- Easy riding: With electric motors providing assistance as you ride, eBikes take the strain out of cycling and make it easier to ride longer distances
- Still get a workout: eBikes only provide assistance while you’re actively pedalling, so you’ll still be getting a workout
- No range issues: Most eBikes can provide assistance for at least 40 miles, making them more than capable of handling most riders’ needs
We have reviewed a number of electric bicycle options over the years, but some of the best have come from British companies like Mark2 with models like the Scrambler C and X-Cross 450. We asked their CEO, Ed Thomas, about the increasing popularity of eBikes.
“Although motorised, almost everyone immediately gets more exercise with an eBike, because they ride more”, explained Thomas. “The motor helps you – rather than does all the work for you. So, for example, hills are smoothed and you don’t have to worry about pulling away too slowly in traffic”.
“It gives workers the chance to commute without sweating, saving a huge amount on public transport and motoring costs – and you’ll have no trouble keeping up with younger, fitter riders”.
Although we tend to associate the Dutch with cycling, it's actually the Danish capital of Copenhagen that leads the way when it comes to ‘number of cyclists per capita'. No surprise that some of the best motors and electric systems come from Denmark then. While ‘hand-built locally by experts, using Danish motors and electrics’ might sound like a recipe for a big price tag, many firms like Mark2 are able to be price-competitive – especially when they decide to push through spring-sales.
But what if you try it for a year and then decide it’s not for you? Companies like Mark2 have a minimum three year warranty, that will be transferable to a new owner if you decide to sell it on.
One last worry that some people might have, is that servicing and repair on electric bicycles might be difficult or expensive. Not so, says Thomas. “Through our HQ and main store in Hampshire, we have a network of authorised workshops and technicians across the country, so looking after your eBike is easy”.
Right now, Mark2 has a sale on for its multi-award winning Mark2 electric bicycles – with up to £600 off the top models. If you’ve ever thought about increasing your exercise levels while reducing transport costs, then it’s worth testing an eBike and doing your calculations this Spring.
