Setting off for my first e-bike commute. Around 7km, takes 25 minutes usually. Let’s see how I get on...
First impressions? I like the upright riding position & the step over frame - that, plus suspension makes for a comfy ride. It feels pretty much effortless - only a couple of hills on way to work but both flattened out by the e bike. 
I also found it a bit boring to be honest, as it was SO easy. But I’m a bit odd like that. The fact that a bit of electric assistance can take so much of the effort out of a bike commute is an enormous selling point - and why I think they’ll go mainstream.
Also interesting that lack of effort meant I was a bit cold - on a cold morning like this I’ve usually warmed up by the time I arrive at work. But that can be sorted with an extra layer. Obviously the benefit of less exertion in warmer weather will be great - for work commutes.
Time wise - it was marginally quicker but nothing major - it’ll be interesting to see the difference on my ride home which has a lot more uphill.
Just arrived home after my first e-bike commute home. 8km, fair bit of hill - enough to put a fair few people off. Always takes me around 35 minutes. Here’s a typical commute on my bike:
And here, drumroll please 🥁... is tonight’s electric bike commute - about 8 minutes quicker than usual.
The time saving matters - but on its own it's not such a big deal for a commute of that length. More importantly I've arrived home not needing a change of clothes or a shower - riding home uphill was genuinely pretty much effortless. That is a game changer.
I was interested too in whether I'd feel safer. Somehow I thought the extra speed, the bit of extra oomph might make me feel safer. It didn't. If anything I felt slightly more vulnerable as I was going at a higher speed. That may or not be logical, but that's how it felt.
It did make me take a different route - uphill on a busier road that I mostly avoid (Chapeltown Rd for those of you who know Leeds). The extra assistance did make me feel more confident uphill, but I didn't feel any safer. Still as vulnerable to poor, inconsiderate driving.
But it really is quite something to ride a bike home uphill & not feel like you've exerted yourself. Like I've said before, cycling for me is exercise as well as transport. But there are many times I could do with turning up places without that - particularly in warmer weather.
And it's confirmed what I've thought for a while - invest in a comprehensive network of protected cycle routes and you will undoubtedly see, alongside lots more people on normal bikes, a massive increase in people switching from cars to e-bikes. #LeedsTransport
I doubt anyone thought this of me today in the rain, but it did feel like fun riding home uphill without much effort. But here's the goal - people in their everyday clothes, getting around on a bike. E-bikes can open this up for many more people.
Here’s the e-bike I’m testing: edinburghbicycle.com/kalkhoff-endea…
Day 2 trying out an e-bike. Main other thing I use a bike for alongside commuting is shopping. 🛒 So let’s see how different #quaxing is with a bit of assistance...
Two full panniers - £35 of shopping (yes supermarkets, people who ride bikes spend money too) - let’s see the difference up the hill home, compared to my normal bike.
As expected, no problem up the hill back home. Fair bit of weight in the panniers so felt a little bit unstable when braking & indicating to turn right, but other than that very good. No need for change of clothes or a shower!
Again, as always, the only problem was other drivers. Two close passes riding through Chapel Allerton - my close pass hotspot. We need a comprehensive network of protected cycle routes if we’re going to make the most of the opportunities bikes & e-bikes offer. #LeedsTransport
It’s worth also mentioning journeys I’ve chosen not to make on the e-bike. Meetings in city centre - no secure parking & didn’t feel comfortable locking outside (it’d cost me £1k deposit!). My normal bike is far less valuable - this costs £1800. So I’m on the bus.
Final day on the trial e-bike. Here’s how you operate the pedal assist - four settings. Easy to switch - on your handlebars (although that very nicely engineered German bell is in the way a bit.)
Worth remembering it’s only pedal *assist* - so being in the right gear is still important. No amount of assistance will get what is a heavy bike up a steep hill in a high gear. 9 gears - hard to see display from riding position but fine other than that.
This is why I think e-bikes will be a game changer. Here’s the alternative. I haven’t broken a sweat in 3 days of riding - it’s close to effortless. Add a network of protected cycle lanes & you’ll see people switch from cars to e-bikes for so many more journeys. Trust me on this.
Handed the trial e-bike back. Loved it - full review soon. Back to being powered by flapjacks again... 🚲
I’m sticking with unassisted pedal power for now. For me my bike is 1st & foremost transport, but exercise is a close 2nd - only way I’ve found to get an hour of fairly challenging activity into my day nearly every day. But I 100% see why people love their e-bikes.
@threadreaderapp unroll please
