Replacing Second Cars with Electric Bikes

[EdBike]

Its sound thinking to replace scarcely-used second cars with electric bikes, particularly for commuting. But how many of you guys who have replaced cars with e-bikes haven't experienced problems? Need to carry heavy payloads, long distances and lots of people? Do you think its a boundary to more acceptance?

I was watching a TED Talk today on collaborative consumption, and Zip Car was mentioned. Zip Car is a simple car-sharing/ownership scheme, designed for replacing cars and taking taxis. Sure, there are some flaws, but what do you think?

[Caph]

I've got to say that I haven't experienced any problems and I replaced my second car nearly 3 years ago. I can fit a substantial amount of shopping in my two panniers and rucksack, much more than I would have thought possible.

If anything I've started using the bike more for shopping even when I've got the car available to me. I never really used the second car to transport people so it wasn't something I missed.

The only problem I've found is when I get a problem with the bike e.g. cable snapping, puncture, etc, but that was solved by buying a second cheap electric bike.

[Streethawk]

I havent had a car for over three years. I do have a motorbike, but the carrying capacity of that is no more thaan an electric bike, as the panniers are no bigger, also its not rated for any more weight than a bike rack, and it cant take a trailer or front panniers.

When i absolutely need the carrying capacity of a car, friends and family all have cars and are willing to help out occasionally. And i do mean very occasionally. Living fairly close to a big city helps though, if i lived in a rural area i might want a car more.

[EdBike]

And with car-sharing schemes all being based in cities it seems less useful?

Did you sell your second cars?

[Trex 850]

Sold my Skoda Fabia in Nov 10,,, purchased my ebike 2wks ago and have used it everyday so far(strong winds and rain included ), so far all going well plus really didn't make sense what with the missus and my daughter having a car each. Best of both worlds really..

[Old Timer]

My wife and I still have our cars and at times( distance or load) they have their place but apart from the E bikes providing a reasonable amount of exercise at the level that we can handle at our age they have become the form of transport that we choose for going to and from adjacent villages for things like PO or Doctors. Those E bike journeys are influenced now days by the cost of fuel and so if they lead to a greener life then thats an offshoot.
One of the problems I`ve come across in and around our part of the country is the lack of suitable places to park the bikes and those that there are are tucked away where would be thieves have a better chance.

[overthehill]

I use my bikes purely for health and leisure activity and my wife and I both have cars which are used for work and shopping or traveling longer distances on roads where cycling is unsuitable
Alex

[EdBike]

I use my bikes purely for health and leisure activity and my wife and I both have cars which are used for work and shopping or traveling longer distances on roads where cycling is unsuitable
Alex

Would you commute on it if you could? Is your typical commute a "heroic" distance to cycle?

[Scottyf]

Whats considered a heroic cycle commute?
I'm selling my car and swapping for ebike and public transport. I.ve recently moved to the city center in birmingham. How ever work in solihull so looking to on the dryer days take the bike to work which is 9 mile each way.

The wife has a peugeot 107 thats now 3 years old and cheap as chips to run. However space is limited. Even my punto managed to get alot in. But most people we know drive or can get about and we have no kids so its really about having a mode of transport that suits you life and means.

If i had a family or lived further from work i wouldn't ever consider an electric bike because its not practical.

[OTH]

....Those E bike journeys are influenced now days by the cost of fuel .......

Isn't the saving largely offset by the cost of replacement batteries?

I find it annoying that the electric bike industry promotes its products as cheap to run. Even the most reputable dealers do this.

" ......... only cost around 5 to 10p worth of electricity to fully recharge a flat battery!"

"Ride 10 miles on 1p of power"

This may be true but is very deceptive.

And I wonder how long the motors last?