Electric Bikes And Sharing Schemes

I Have Never Been Tempted To Wear Lycra Cycling Shorts. An Electric Bike Fits Perfectly With My Wardrobe!

If you are like me, and cannot squeeze elegantly into lycra shorts and have no aspirations to win the yellow jersey at the Tour de France, then read on. We can finally cycle effortlessly at a respectable speed without having to break a sweat.

Is An Electric Bike Right For Me? Short Answer: Yes!!!

It has been a question I have asked myself over the past 24 months, as I have witnessed the meteoric rise of e-bikes (electric-assist) in the United Kingdom. When I was first introduced to the world of electric bikes, I worked hard to convince myself, that I was still young, and that these ‘pedal-assist’ machines were for those at the cusp of retirement or retired. And definitely not me!

But I was wrong. Over the past two years I have seen a widespread demographic base of users scrambling around merrily in their e-bikes. From the young to the old. From those with perfectly carved bodies to those that are still craving for perfectly carved bodies (like me!). It is astonishing, but for some reason, an e-bike ‘fits’ perfectly into everyone’s needs and lifestyle.

I have seen men in suits criss-cross the city on their Brompton folding electric bikes, women in elegant dresses float along avenues on their Cube Elly Cruise Hybrid electric bikes, tourists across London famed sights using e-bike sharing schemes and younger adults enjoying weekends doing the same. It feels like everyone is on an electric bike.

So bottom-line, if you want to assess if an e-bike is appropriate for you, I suggest you try one. Gawking at an e-bike as a bystander is not the answer!

Should I Buy An Electric Bike?

I always encourage individuals assessing any new technology to first try it for a period of time. An e-bike is no different. Do not be rushed to buy an e-bike immediately. First, use one for a period of time. Once you have gained practical experience using an e-bike, you will better understand and appreciate, how and why an e-bike fits your needs and lifestyle. Moreover, it will also give you clarity on what type of electric bike may best fit your needs. So do not be swayed into buying an electric bike without having gained the ‘trial experience’!

Where Can I Try An Electric Bike?

If you live in a city like London, you have a number of electric bike sharing schemes (I have listed a few for you). Other cities across the U.K. also have similar sharing schemes. Using an e-bike costs less than a decent cup of coffee and will certainly give you pleasure for far longer! For example, Jump electric bike sharing costs £1 to unlock and £0.12 pence per minute.

Jump
Lime
Freebike

Top 5 Reasons To Use An e-Bike

Unbridled fun
Convenient
Cost effective
Healthy lifestyle
Environmental benefits

e-zoomed View

It is hard to argue against the positive narrative of using electric bikes, even in a country like ours, blighted by rain! Though there are many robust reasons to use an e-bike, my favourite one is ‘fun’. For me, personally, fun translates to joy. Even after a long day or week, the very thought of gliding across the streets of London in an electric-assist bike, results in me beaming uncontrollably with anticipation. As I always tell friends, there is only one way to live, and that is, with unbridled joy. You are £1 and a few pence away from this joy. So take the step!