What are the major factors that persuaded you to get an electric bike?

[nikon201]

I'm just sick of driving. Or is that of other drivers?

[AgentGinger]

My main reasons:

- Public transport is rubbish - to get to my partners old place of work 3.5miles away takes an hour of walks and buses!
- Cars are too expensive and we all need to lower pollution
- Not fit/well enough to ride a conventional bike or walk too far
- Electric bikes are cheap to buy and have relatively low running costs, even including repairs etc!

If only I'd heard of them 10 months ago

[mikepepler]

Peak oil is the driving force for me. I want to get away from using the car as much as possible.

[Solenero]

i purchased my e-bike because

In Italy gasoline is realy expensive and a lot of tax cover the price to final buyer, so I dont want to give my money to mafia goverment and rich petrol man.

i like to ride easy for one hour in the morning and one in the afternoon, i go to home or work and i'm not tired.

In one year i save a lot of money and i help my enviroment because no pollution is produced from an e-bike

[Saddlesore]

My principal reason for acquiring an electric bike was the loss of my driving licence which consigned me to other modes of transport until March 2009.

I am a regular cyclist and generally use a Raleigh Pioneer 180 hybrid bike for doing a regular 15 - 20 mile circuit to keep fit but wanted something that would allow me to keep in touch with friends and family without turning up bathed in sweat.

I was particulary interested in any e-bike that could be deristricted as I was not content at being limited to 15-16mph but I did want something that I could pedal so scooters were out hence buying an Ezee Forza which I have now deristricted.

I am enjoying the experience and along with my bus pass and senior citizen railcard the enforced ban on driving motor vehicles is saving me a fortune.

I shall be looking to get a totally illegal e-bike in the future - 30 -40 mph if possible.

[Larkspur]

My reasons:

Wanted to incorporate more exercise into my life as I have a sedantry job, but didn't want my 28 mile round-trip commute to turn into a workout that I couldn't face every day.

Wanted to reduce the amount of petrol I use in order to save money (and the planet).

[Jim Taverner]

I have cycled on and off for the last 60 years including foreign touring with my young family. Unfortunately, the ravages of time caught up with me several years ago (I contracted polio as a child) and after new knee joints and various leg operations, my muscles have all but disappeared. I thought the acquisition of an electric bike (Pedelec) would be the way to go. To that end, I have ordered a Kalkhoff Pro Connect and keenly awaiting delivery. Can't wait to get cycling again. I'll let you know how I get on.

Cheers,
Jim

[Hooligooner]

I don't think I can add anything new here.

I have been gradually expanding for many years and am well aware I need to reduce my BMI. I have tried cycling, swimming, jogging and the gym, none of which I managed to keep to. I have had a disk removed many years ago, and after some pain free years I am starting to get problems that I can only put down to my increased weight.

The cycle to work has always been avoided because, although it was only a round trip of 5.5 miles, more than a mile of the journey in was one long hill. I really didn't want to have to use the company showers daily having done it before when our boiler broke, very embarrassing.

So I looked around for an alternative, to which the pedelec seemed viable. I figured the short drive only cost around £30 a month in the car and I wanted the bike to pay for itself fairly quickly so when a Currie CB26 appeared at £370 delivered I jumped at it.

So bike pays for itself in a year, if it last 3 years I'm £700 in front for the next one...

[thingaby]

Here's some new stuff:

I'd not had a new bike for 30 years. Time for a treat.
I wanted to move to something a bit more 'sit up and beg'
I like new ideas = electric bike (sort of)
I like the community spirit on this forum

And the old stuff:
The hill on the way home is almost too much for me on a conventional bike
I need the exercise
I want to arrive at work a bit less sweaty
It might work out a bit cheaper in the long run

[loubyloo]

unfortunatly as I have epilepsy the law wont allow me a driving license for some strange reason so all my life I have had to cycle everywhere and my joints where begining to get a little tired !
I discovered E bikes about 3 years ago and despite many tramuas I think there faboulous
I use mine 7 days a week rain or shine with a daily round trip of 10/20 miles

i am on bike three at the moment and looking for bike 4 !!