Try our Products at our Electric Bike Shops in Bristol, Cambridge, Oxford or York
Are electric bikes the future of urban transport?
When new customers come into store and browse our e-bikes, one of the most common reactions is, “I could buy a car for that!!” This is true; you can buy a perfectly decent second-hand car for the price of a brand new electric bike. But should you?
e-Bikes vs Cars
The purchase price of your “new” second-hand car is only part of the ongoing costs. Rising fuel prices, insurance, maintenance, breakdown cover and tax all factor into the annual expense of running a car.
With cities such as London and Birmingham now introducing daily congestion charges for the highest polluting vehicles, (yes, this would include your “cheap” second-hand car!!) As a result, the cost of driving in urban areas soon mounts up.
According to data from the department for transport in the UK, the average trip length in 2019 was only 8.4 miles, well within the range of an e-bike. Research from traffic analysts found that UK commuters spent on average 115 hours stuck in traffic, costing the country £6.9bn and the typical driver £894.
The evidence shows that over a year, electric bikes are substantially cheaper than cars, and by purchasing an e-bike, you will save over £1000 a year, quickly recovering the cost of the e-bike in money saved.
Another Saving
Our stores accept most Cycle to Work schemes, and we can provide your quote in a few minutes.
Our favourite scheme is still the social enterprise – Green Commute Initiative. They helped us provide the first eBike to work scheme, and we happily recommend them, knowing that you’ll get the best possible deal and save up to 47% off the purchase price of your ebike. Your employer can use them on a regular or a one-off basis, there’s no signup, and each application takes about 5-10 minutes to complete from start to contracts being printed.
For example, one of our most popular electric bikes, the 2020 Raleigh Motus Tour Low Step, usually costing £2300, under the scheme could cost £1334, a saving of £966!!
We also offer 0% interest finance allowing riders to spread the cost out over a year.
Are electric bikes faster than cars?
Do you remember the old Hare and Tortoise fairy-tale? A car would beat any ebike hands down in a flat out drag race, but it’s a very different story in the urban environment. London and Edinburgh tie for the UK’s slowest cities, with average last mile speeds of just 10mph. Many eBikes sold throughout Europe are capable of speeds over 30mph. But under current legislation, they are restricted to 15.5mph (25kph).
Even with the restriction, as envious drivers look on, e-Bikes quickly dart in and out of traffic, easily accelerate after a traffic light stop; and a power boost when going uphill, facing headwinds, or carrying heavy loads. In Copenhagen—where 62 percent of residents commute using bikes, when asked why they cycle, those surveyed said that their primary reason for cycling was because it was faster!!
Are electric bikes good for commuting?
Commuting on an e-bike is similar to a stroll rather than a sprint, meaning cycling to work can be done in a suit rather than spandex. One test found that e-bikers sweat two-thirds less than regular cyclists. This matters when commuting: Not needing to pack a change of clothing or shower after a ride removes a significant disincentive to bicycling. E-bikes open up bicycling to many who might otherwise hesitate. The electric motor takes over when energy levels flag. Electric bikes encourage people who feel out of shape to get back in the saddle and gradually improve fitness levels.
Can an e-bike replace a car?
There are times when an electric bike may not be as practical, for example in heavy rain or on very long journeys travelling in a car is more comfortable.
That been said for most of the time electric bikes are an amazing, fun and affordable alternative to buying a “cheap” second car; with any of our customers preferring to use public transport on the odd occasion when it is not practical to use their e-bike.
E-Cargo business bikes
Electric cargo bikes are becoming the preferred solution for last-mile delivery in towns and cities, with zero carbon emissions and easy parking. Delivery companies are discovering that by using e-cargo bikes instead of cars or vans, delivery times improve, and costs are reduced. For example, one study found that e-cargo bikes could be used for 20 percent of deliveries, meaning that e-cargo bikes could make potentially tens of billions of yearly deliveries worldwide. In addition, UPS, has tested electric trikes that can hold up to 181 kilograms with a capacity of 2.7 cubic meters.
The impact e-cargo bikes could have on take-out food delivery is especially impressive. A dozen pizzas would overwhelm a traditional bike and could be awkward even for a moped—but they fit perfectly on an e-cargo bike. In trials, Domino’s Pizza found that e-bike deliveries were faster than delivery by car and received higher customer service ratings.
In Conclusion
Well, there you go!! In summary, electric bikes have some incredible benefits:
- Cheap running costs
- Charge the e-bike at work (free fuel!)
- Quickly pays for itself
- No driving licence needed
- Practicality
- Choose your own route and never get stuck in traffic again
- Easily keep up with traffic, accelerate away from lights faster than a standard bike
- No sweaty commutes
- Build fitness into your daily routine
- A lot more fun than driving
Some great electric bikes you will love
2021 Haibike HardSeven 5 500Wh Electric Mountain Bike
Tour or trail? Uphill or downhill? With the new HardSeven 5, there is no need for tradeoffs because this is a versatile and agile eMTB.
With 120mm travel, snappy disc brakes, nimble 27.5″ wheels and a powerful Bosch Performance Line motor with a sleek, integrated 500Wh battery you will have a huge amount of fun on and off the trail. Adventures – here we come!
Features:
- Frame material – Aluminium
- Drive unit – Bosch Performance Line, 65Nm, 25km/h
- Battery – Bosch PowerTube 500Wh
- Fork – SR Suntour XCM32 Boost DS, Travel: 120mm
Cube Kathmandu Hybrid Pro 625 Hybrid eBike
The Kathmandu Hybrid Pro symbolises the freedom of two-wheeled exploration. Comfortable, versatile and with the power to expand your horizons, its fourth-generation Bosch drive system is just the start.
Raliegh E-cargo Bikes
Established in Nottingham and with a cycling heritage dating back to 1887, Raleigh offers two models in their electric cargo range, the Pro Trike XL with 900L of storage space or the fast and sleek two-wheeled Pro Bike Midmotor with 350L of space.
At Electric Bike Sales, we have a great range of e-cargo bikes perfectly suited to your business’s needs. See our full range of electric cargo bikes HERE. We also retrofit any existing bike with a powerful electric system.
CONTACT US and speak to one of our friendly sales team for the best advice on solutions suited to your business’s needs.
Contact
You will find our stores at:
Cambridge
118-120 Newmarket Rd, Cambridge CB5 8HE
Oxford
125 Magdalen Rd, Oxford OX4 1RJ
York
32 Walmgate, York YO1 9TJ
Bristol
35 Lower Redland Rd, Bristol BS6 6TB
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