Guide to commuting by Electric Bike
How many times have you been stuck in traffic on your commute, staring at the jammed road ahead thinking, 'there must be another way'?
Well, there is! We may be biased, but we think electric bikes are the best and easiest way to commute to work. Here’s our guide to all the great benefits of commuting by e-bike and everything you’ll need to get started.
Benefits of commuting by electric bike
Commuting by bike can be daunting, with the distance and effort required a cause for concern. However, with the help of an e-bike, you don’t need to worry about these things! All e-bikes have motors that provide assistance as you ride – so you won’t need to struggle up any hills on your journey. And with ranges generally varying between 20 to 100 miles, most e-bikes have more than enough battery power to take you the distance.
The benefits don’t end there, though, and here’s some more reasons why you should consider commuting by e-bike:
Sweat-free – No one wants to arrive at work dripping in sweat, exhausted from their commute. With an e-bike, you won’t be. Providing assistance up to 15.5mph, an e-bike will help power you over any hills and allow you to ride at a comfortable speed. Then, when you want a workout, simply turn the assistance level down and let your legs do more of the work.
Exercise – Aren’t electric bikes cheating? Not at all! Although the electric motor will provide assistance, you still need to pedal. This assistance can also be changed so you can work as hard as you like.
Avoid traffic – Something everyone can get onboard with! Avoid the jams by sticking to cycle lanes, diverting around busy roads or, for those in London, taking advantage of the Cycle Superhighway.
Save time – In a rush? No problem! With an e-bike, you can cycle to work in your work clothes. Let the motor take most the strain so that you arrive at work ready to go.
Save money – No petrol, parking or congestion charges to contend with. Plus, no tax, insurance or MOT costs. Commuting by electric bike is a real money saver!
Save the planet! – There’s no better reason to commute by e-bike than the environmental benefits. E-bikes release no tailpipe emissions – so they’re more eco-friendly than other modes of transport. A study by the European Cyclist’s Federation (ECF) calculated the full carbon footprint of different vehicles, accounting for everything from production to the extra food intake of cyclists (as you’ll be burning plenty of calories!). With everything accounted for, the carbon footprint of cycling was only 21 grams of C02e per passenger kilometre travelled, compared with 271 grams of C02e per passenger kilometre in a car. So, you really will be helping out the environment!
Cyculator
Clearly, there are lots of amazing benefits of commuting by e-bike, but exactly how much money could you save and how long would it take you to cycle to work? Through our handy Cyculator tool, you can easily find out!
We’ve provided an example below of a short commute in London from Wembley to Westminster.
With all the traffic throughout London, it’s quicker to commute by bike. Although it’s only a few minutes, over the course of a year, this equates to much more! More impressively, commuting by bike could save you a lot of money.
Head over to our Cyculator and find out how much you could save too!
Cycle2Work
And things get even better with our Cycle2Work scheme.
Through this, you can save anywhere between 32% to 47% on a new bike, including e-bikes. You can even get all the accessories you need too.
Commuting has never been cheaper! Head over to our Cycle2Work page to find out how to apply.
Finance with Klarna
Alternatively, we also have finance options available for our e-bikes.
We’ve got various finance options through Klarna to help you split the cost. With the ability to spread the cost of your electric bike over anywhere between three to 48 months, buying an e-bike has never been more affordable.
Learn more about our finance options.
Best electric commuter bikes
Ready to make the change and start commuting by e-bike? Great! It’s time to decide which electric bike and accessories you need - and we can help you every step of the way!
There are four types of e-bikes you may consider, with a choice of hybrid, folding, road or mountain bike. Each has their benefits and which you choose will depend on the route you’ll be travelling.
Electric hybrid bikes
Hybrids are a popular choice among commuters as they have a comfortable up-right riding position and usually have pannier mounts, giving you plenty of space to carry things. Their tyres are wide and thick enough to handle rough road surfaces and many have front suspensions for a great ride quality.
Electric folding bikes
If your commute involves hopping on public transport along the way, an electric folding bike is perfect. Most easily fold up so that you can carry them with you, whether using the train or a bus. Or if you work in an office or a workplace with limited space, an electric folding bike will take up less room.
Electric road bikes
Road bikes are built for speed and excel on smooth tarmac – and that’s why they have aggressive riding positions with your body lent further forward. Combined with thin tyres, they’ll get you to work in rapid time and are great for longer commutes that cover more distance. However, the more aggressive riding position isn’t comfortable for everyone, so have a test ride in your local Halfords store to find out which bike is most comfortable for you.
Electric mountain bikes
For most commuters, an electric mountain bike wouldn’t be suitable as (you guessed it!), they’re better suited to off-road terrain than slick city tarmac. However, not everyone lives in a town or a city, and if your commute is mainly through countryside, a mountain bike can be a great way to have an adventure on your journey. And with most electric mountain bikes having at least a front suspension (many have full suspensions!), you’ll always ride in comfort!
When choosing your e-bike, here are a few other things you might want to consider:
- Does a bike have mudguards or mudguard mounts? Not only will these keep you protected from splash, but your fellow commuters will also be grateful. And if you want to ride in your work clothes, mudguards will help keep your clothing clean.
- Pannier racks or mounts are also a convenient option and will help you carry more things on your journey.
- Disc brakes are also a good option as they provide strong stopping power in all conditions. Most hybrid and mountain bikes will have these, and an increasing number of road bikes do too.
Here at Halfords, we want to make sure you pick the perfect bike, and that’s why all of our stores have experts who will be on hand to answer any questions and help you find the perfect e-bike.
Find your local Halfords store
Accessories for commuting
To commute by e-bike, you won’t just need a bike. For a comfortable, safe and stress-free commute, you’ll also need safety essentials and must-have accessories. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with everything you need, and many of our e-bikes are available in bundles with the must-have accessories.
Here’s everything you’ll need:
Helmets
Everyone knows how important a helmet is – it can be the difference between life and death! So never ride a bike without one.
Whether you care about style or aerodynamics, Halfords has a wide range of helmets that will keep you safe on the road.
Bike lights
Be safe, be seen!
Front and rear lights are a minimum, but it’s best to use as many reflectors and lights as you can. You’ll stand out, but that’s the point!
Bike locks
Don’t just protect yourself, protect your bike too with one of our bike locks. All of our locks have either a standard or Sold-Secure rating so you know your bike is well protected.
Tools and puncture repair kits
However, there are certain things you can’t protect your bike from, so it’s best to be prepared. Start by making sure you have a puncture repair kit and a pump. You don’t want to be late to work because you walked your bike half the way.
If you want to avoid punctures altogether, why not take advantage of our puncture protection service?
It’s also always a good idea to have a multi-tool too, which should help with most minor issues.
Look after your e-bike
Whatever mode of transport you use for your commute, there’s always the possibility of a mechanical issue. However, you can easily prevent most issues from arising through regular maintenance. For those do-it-yourselves types, we have all the maintenance tools and equipment you need.
Or you can make life easier and bring it to your local Halfords store and let our experts take care of the job.
We do everything from simple repairs to our bronze, silver and gold bike services, and you can find our full range of services here.
To help keep your e-bike in tip-top condition for a year of commuting, why not use our E-bike CycleCare package? With one and three-year options available, you get unlimited puncture repairs, unlimited brake and gear adjustments, a 6-week bronze service, an annual silver service, free fitting on all parts and accessories, and 10% off parts.
With our help, commuting by e-bike has never been easier!
That covers everything you need to know about commuting by e-bike. Now it’s time to plan your route and enjoy the freedom of cycling to work!
To discover our full range of electric bikes, head over to Halfords.com. You can find lots more e-bike advice over on our Electrification Hub.