Electric scooter or bicycle........................

[Mark e]

First post, be gentle !

Between me and the wife we had 3 vehicles. My car, her car and a motorhome that sat on the drive until we used it to go away for weekends etc. All 3 vehicles every month would be taxed, mot'd and insured.

Recently sold my car, which was a 1.8turbo petrol vw passat, anyway it's now gone. My wife still uses her car everyday for work etc, and I am now using the motorhome to travel to work and back and any thing while the wife is at work.

I work at the local hospital which is 3.3 miles each way. 6.6 miles a day 5 days a week = 32 miles a week.

My dilema is do I go the electric bicycle route, wisper 905se sport of course,
or do i buy a electric scooter for roughly the same money ?

Both vehicles will be brand new, and I would also qualify for the "cycle to work scheme" as I work for the NHS.

What would you lot do ? Thanks in advance...........

 

[eddieo]

E Bike (what do you expect on an e bike forum )

 

[richardmu]

Go for the wisper. Perfect for the job.

 

[CeeGee]

If you buy a scooter and the electrics pack up on the way to work you are stuck - push it or leave it. Buy an e-bike and you still have pedal power. Buy a Wisper and if you have a problem on the way to work (most unlikely), a quick phone call to Norman whilst you are pedalling and he will probably be able to tell you how to fix it before you get to your destination.
A Wisper can go with you in your motorhome, a scooter couldn't.
A Wisper can go on a train, a scooter can't.
A Wisper gives you exercise when you want it, a scooter can't. (Unless you are pushing it when it breaks down).
Meerkats would ride Wispers, not scooters - Simples!

Colin

edit: Other e-bikes are also available, probably not as good as a Wisper.

 

[Mussels]

For that distance an ebike will take about 15 minutes and you can probably park right by the door, I can't see the extra running costs of a scooter being worthwhile. I'd normally suggest an unpowered bike for that distance but if you want to get to work fresh then an ebike will do the trick.
As it's not far and you have alternative transport then a cheaper bike may do the job just as well, if you have a Powabyke dealer nearby then it is worth looking at them. My Wisper retailer was the other side of London and it became a PITA getting there for repairs, conveniently with Wisper I can get parts sent straight to me and do it myself now.

 

[john]

A couple of points to add in favour of an e-bike.

In the winter, you will get cold on a scooter. On an e-bike you have intelligent thermostatically controlled central heating. You just choose how much to pedal!

Also, I'm not sure if it is just me, but on the way to work I see scooters waiting in line behind all the traffic whereas I just go sailing past. I guess scooters are not as manoeuvrable as bikes.

 

[NRG]

Yep, E-bike easy, in fact at just 3.3 miles and if the route is flat I'd be tempted to just use an ordinary bike! What ever you decide to do factor in the cost of some good wet weather gear and hi viz clothing plus some good security measures, see the recent threads on this....

 

[Bob_about]

Meerkats would ride Wispers, not scooters - Simples!

Colin

edit: Other e-bikes are also available, probably not as good as a Wisper.

Brilliant - thanks for that!

 

[GROWLER]

Hi Mark
I own an electric scooter and an alien ebike,my commute is 28 miles per day.I use the scooter 3 days per week and the bike for 2.If I had your commuting distance I wouldnt own the scooter,as simple as that!
Cheers Jonathan

 

[flecc]

I'm not as anti-scooter as most in here Mark, but for that short ride I'd definitely say e-bike or if not hilly, just an ordinary bike.

Amazing though it might seem after reading the above, there are other companies making good e-bikes, and any e-bike can comfortably do your run.

There are fundamentally two main types of e-bike, those with a central motor driving though the chain and those with wheel hub motors. They are very dfferent in the way they work, so it's best to try out both to see which type you prefer riding.
.

 

[dan]

I would also qualify for the "cycle to work scheme" as I work for the NHS.

What would you lot do ? Thanks in advance...........

you dont have to work for NHS to qualify for the cycle to work scheme, anybody who uses a bike to travel to and from work can join the scheme..as to Ebike or Emoped, both would save you a lot of money...try both and make your own choice...but Emopeds dont qualify for the cycle to work scheme.

 

[jasono]

Hi Mark
Your commute is a very similar distance to mine, which is 7 miles each way including a decent hill en route. Before getting my e-Bike I found that I could cycle 3 days a week, but was getting really tired on day 3. With the e-Bike I can manage every day easily
As Flecc has mentioned it is worth trying a few different bikes and seeing which you prefer. I opted for a Wisper 905se Sport and am loving it!
Cheers
Jason

 

[Mark e]

Thank you people for you'r replies so far.

To add to some of you'r enquiries, i live in the famous Rhondda Valleys, which has many short up and down steep hills and roads and is built on many coal pits around the area. ( I'm lucky, my house is not ) So a " push bike " is out of the question and I need to be very spruce in appearance as i deal with patients and family members all day.

A secure place to park in work and at home is not an issue.

You lot have confirmed my thoughts exactly by pushing for a e-bike, but my heart says scooter

I have been reading past threads about which bikes etc, but baring in mind i'm near Cardiff, .................What supplier and bike for me ???????

 

[CeeGee]

Full Charge Ahead, (Wisper Retailer), Pugh’s Garden Centre, Ty-Nant Rd, Morganstown, Cardiff, CF15 8LB
0845 619 8976
Cardiff@wisperbikes.com

I don't know if they stock other makes - contact them to find out.

Colin

 

[Django]

If I were you, I would buy a very large motorcycle, then you can enjoy yourself going the long way to work.

 

[Mussels]

you dont have to work for NHS to qualify for the cycle to work scheme, anybody who uses a bike to travel to and from work can join the scheme..as to Ebike or Emoped, both would save you a lot of money...try both and make your own choice...but Emopeds dont qualify for the cycle to work scheme.

Not anybody can join the scheme, your employer has to participate before you can use it. The NHS has signed up to it.

Cheap Elelctric scooters are very low powered and will struggle with the hills, decent electric scooterss cost a lot. I used to follow one quite regularly and I reckon he managed about 25mph on the flat. If I was getting a scooter then I'd get petrol as they are much better VFM.

 

[dan]

cardiff

try Reg Bradick & Sons 65 Broadway, Roath, Cardiff

they sell mopeds an bikes

 

[flecc]

You should always go with your heart Mark, but don't choose an e-scooter as most are useless on steep hills. A petrol scooter will be fine and will give you better weather protection than an e-bike, especially if you fit a screen, bearing in mind your need for smartness.
.

 

[eddieo]

You should always go with your heart Mark, but don't choose an e-scooter as most are useless on steep hills. A petrol scooter will be fine and will give you better weather protection than an e-bike, especially if you fit a screen, bearing in mind your need for smartness.
.

a scooter with a plastic screen......Cool G

 

[Bikerbob]

If you want the bike for fitness reasons and for recreational use as well as commuting, and traffic overtaking you on local roads (particularly if they are narrow) won't intimidate you, then it must be an electric assist pedal bike. Otherwise I'd go for a petrol engined 125cc scooter which will easily keep up with traffic, would be fun to ride, and versatile, and have space under the seat for your butties and waterproofs. For me the electric moped would be the worst choice. Won't keep up with the traffic and will do nothing for your fitness. Even a 50cc petrol engined moped can be a worry in traffic as overtaking vehicles will push you into the gutter.