Lifestyle

Electrify your ride

Cycling to work is cheaper, healthier and less stressful than driving. Rutland Cycling on Ham Lane, Peterborough looks at ways electric bikes are also making cycling to work quicker, easier and more enjoyable

There’s no denying that riding an electric bike can be faster than a normal bike, at least in respect to building up speed. The electric motor boosts your pedalling to help you go faster and maintain a higher speed for longer, with less effort. This means that commuting on an e-bike will be faster than doing the same journey on a traditional bike. Plus e-bikes can save time against driving or using public transport, because you won’t get held up by traffic jams. Cycling to and from work every day is a great way to exercise, and this includes using an electric commuter bike. That’s because e-bikes are pedal-assist, which means the motor helps you as you pedal, so you’ll still get in a great workout. In fact, studies have shown that people use the same energy and effort to ride an e-bike as a normal bike. The electric motor simply helps them arrive at their destination quicker.

Cycle more often
Research has also shown that cycling at a steady pace without exhausting yourself means you’re more likely to cycle everywhere. This helps explain why e-bikes are great for commuting: because they make cycling a little easier, you won’t feel as tired after your commute. And so you are more likely to cycle to work the following day, and the day after. One of the main reasons more people don’t cycle to work is that they don’t want to arrive at the office feeling sweaty and flustered. This is where e-bikes are ideal for commuters. The electric assistance makes cycling feel easier and less sweaty, so you can cycle to work in your suit and arrive without needing to change or have a shower.

Cut commuting stress
Anyone who has ever commuted by car knows how stressful it can be. Roadworks, traffic jams and other drivers all add to the frustration. Public transport can be just as bad, with delays, overcrowding and lengthy replacement services. Commuting to work on an electric commuter bike is a completely different experience. You’ll be gently pedalling along, exercising, spending time outside and enjoying the fresh air. It all helps to cut your stress levels and allows you to arrive at work happy. Cycling is widely acknowledged as one of the greenest and cleanest ways to commute. The addition of an electric motor for e-bikes has a negligible effect on emissions.

Save money
Compared with public transport and driving a car, e-bikes can even save you money. We’ve crunched the numbers and calculated that you could save in the region of £1,500 a year. The cost of electricity to charge the battery is less than 10p, so the only expense is the initial outlay and maintenance. And if you’re getting a good daily workout on the bike, you could save money on costs like gym membership! Record numbers of us have now signed up to Cycle to Work schemes, saving up to 42% on bike purchase prices. However, most schemes have an upper limit of expenditure of £1,000 which rules out most electric bikes. To clear the way the Green Commute Initiative (www.greencommuteinitiative. uk) has been launched, specifically targeting the e-bike market and with no £1,000 limit, so you can get any bike you want.

Try an electric bike

For more information and to test ride an electric bike visit Rutland Cycling on Ham Lane, Peterborough (01733 371013, www.rutlandcycling.com) ● Brompton Electric folding bikes coming soon! Brompton Electric Demo Days in Cambridge on 7-9 Sept. For more details visit www.rutlandcycling.com/brompton

Rutland Cycling Ham Lane, Orton Meadows, Peterborough PE2 5UU. 01733 371013, www.rutlandcycling.com

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