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

[homemoz]

To try and reduce car use, I have bought a second hand ( actually 12 previous owners!) 100cc petrol scooter (having looked a various electric scooters on the internet). I use the scooter to get to work and back, three days a week, which is 10 miles each way. This saves about £5.00 a week on petrol costs over the car and £14.00 a week over the train. The trouble is of course, that we are still running two cars which means that there is the additional cost of the scooter including servicing, tax & insurance.

So far this hasn't been possible to meet the aim of reducing to one car, with my wife needing hers on a daily basis for work. In theory, it should be possible to cover at least 90% of journeys using ebike, scooter or train. The problem is the remaining 10% and a reliance on the motor car. I am maybe starting a new job which is 20+ miles away fairly soon which is harder to get to by train. The test then is whether I stick to the scooter or revert back to the car.

One thing I have noticed is that since getting the scooter, I have used my ebike less with a corresponding drop in fitness levels and a return of the dreaded back ache. My advice would to keep things as simple as possible and that an ebike is fine for regular journeys of around 5 to 10 miles. Any other more complex motorised transport is just another thing to maintain with added expense.

 

[Barnowl]

3.3 miles each way is a peice of cake for an e-bike. I do much the same distance on my commute. I can do it without the electrial assistance but it's much more enjoyable with. I find using the car pretty dull now. You'll get hooked and you'll end up using your bike a lot more than you thought.

PS Totally agree with Homemoz. Keep it simple. E-bikes add almost nothing to the administrative nightmare. They don't take up much space either.

 

[Mark e]

Well update.........
Plunched for a scooter after,

Had my motorhome for nearly 4 years then sold it. then sold the scooter.
Then i bought a ford ka sport 1.6,

Then I bought this,

A Carrera Subway limited edition 2011

 

[flecc]

Nothing wrong with any of that in my view Mark, three ways to enjoy yourself.

 

[kitchenman]

You've forgotten to switch it on! nice bike.

 

[Mark e]

Well I'm back. Sold the ka sport and my Carrera bike. The Carrera was to slow for me so I bought a brand new 2013 dawes audax clubman. Then bought a brand new hyundai i10 for the rainy days. Lol.

Anyway back now for my 17 year old daughter georgia. She is learning to drive but £2500-3000 insurance ????????? And finding gears etc difficult.

Was looking at getting her a 125cc scooter like I had, but my mother and wife going nuts as motorbikes are SO dangerous. Mam " why don't she use the push bike you bought her last Xmas ? "

I did buy her a new Apolo twighlight from halfords about 2 years ago. It's in the shed brand new condition. Anyway dug it out pumped up tyres, checked brakes etc she's good to go !

So the Saturday job she's got is 4 miles away. Down hill there, up hill way back. Was thinking if I was to buy an ebike for £1500-£2000 which one?
I have already looked at posts and phoned suppliers but e bikes are a mind field !

 

[OldBob1]

Mark I would suggest you and your daughter have a day out trying out different e-bikes or even more days.
Then she will know if its for her.

 

[Electrifying Cycles]

Best advice is to try a few different types: a crank drive, a hub drive without torque sensor and a hub drive with a torque sensor. These three types feel quite different to ride. The crank drive and hub drive with a torque sensor feel more like riding a normal bike whereas the other option can feel like the bike is pulling you along. All types should have no problem with gradients of around 10% but for very steep areas a crank drive or powerful hub drive is better.


Good luck finding your perfect e bike for your daughter.