Author: Walter

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Why you should buy an electric bike

What’s the point of owning a car when an electric bike can take you from point A to point B? When considering the costs and benefits of owning a car, it is important to note that while cars are more convenient for longer distances, electric bikes are great for shorter distances. Imagine going to a friend’s house in your neighborhood. The only issue with this is parking – which is not a problem when using an electric bike!

Get around faster

Bikes are perfect for congested city streets. Cars get stuck in traffic on increasingly busy roads. Between dedicated bike paths and the fact that bikes can easily steer around stopped cars and other obstacles, traffic rarely hinders a cyclist’s progress. If you loathe wasting time in an idling car at a bottleneck, using a bike can save you loads of time.

Ebikes will give you an even zippier ride around town with the added torque from the motor. Wind and hills won’t slow you down. Apart from very steep hills, keeping up your speed is rarely a problem. In Europe, that means 25 km/h for the standard “pedelec” while in North America it’s 20 mph. According to Green-Zones.eu, the average speed of Paris traffic is 15.5 km/h, which is quite a bit slower than riding an e-bike in the bike lane. With road congestion in similar so many large cities, e-bikes are a speedy option for getting around the world over.

More environmentally friendly

Many people are turning their backs on the traditional bicycle in exchange for an electric bike. Electric bikes are more environmentally friendly because they do not use fossil fuels, emit no exhaust, and produce zero noise. Electric bikes are also cheaper then most other types of transportation which makes them highly sought after.

Less expensive than cars

The average cost of a car is much higher than an electric bike. While top-of-the-line e-bikes can be quite expensive outright, the total cost of ownership is still far lower than that of a car. Factoring in fuel costs, insurance, maintenance, parking fees, and other miscellaneous costs, out-of-pocket expenses make e-bikes a very affordable alternative to cars.

No license required

A standard e-bike is classified the same as its unmotorized counterpart in most places. Unlike cars or motorcycles, riding an e-bike doesn’t require a license. While you might want to get your driver’s license in any case since it’s a useful life skill, you could delay the expense and hassle of lessons and the testing.

Low maintenance

The 2020s are upon us and with it comes a new era in transportation. With soaring gas prices, global warming, and the push for environmental sustainability, it’s time to take a serious look at what you can do to make your commute more eco-friendly. It’s time to get on the bike! There are many benefits to choosing an electric bike over a car. One is that they’re much easier to maintain. Electric bikes don’t need oil changes, tire rotations, spark plugs, or particulate filter cleaning, which means less money spent on upkeep and far less hassle.

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The biggest benefits of owning a cargo bike

Cargo bikes are great for families with children and pets. When you think of a bike, you most likely picture it as a two-wheeled machine with one rider. Cargo bikes are just like regular bikes, but they have an extended frame that allows the rider to carry passengers or large objects.

You can transport lots of stuff

Cargo bikes are like two- (or three-) wheeled minivans of the biking world. You can carry kids, adults, a week’s shopping for your family, saplings, a Christmas tree, a rented floor sander — the list goes on! Yes, these are examples of things we’ve personally carried. We love cargo bikes at our office and between us, we’ve tried front-loading bakfiets, long-tail, mid-tail, and trikes. Our current favorites are the Tern GSD and Urban Arrow, but there are lots of excellent cargo bikes available with new ones coming out every year.

Great for the environment

With or without a motor, cargo bikes are good for the environment because they use less energy than a car and they produce no emissions. They also lessen the need for fuel production, which has an impact on climate change. While the batteries and motors fitted on electric bikes add to their environmental footprint, they’re not even on the same scale as even the most ecologically produced car.

You will get a really good workout

A big benefit of owning a cargo bike is that it will give you a good workout. Instead of driving to the store, you can cycle. You’ll get some exercise while running errands instead of sitting in a big metal box. Load up your cargo bike with your kids, backpacks and your work bag and exercise while you do the school run and office commute. If you can’t shower and change your clothes at the office, use an electric cargo bike and commute without breaking a sweat. Studies show that it still counts as exercise!

No stress

Will you have a healthier, happier life if you buy a cargo bike? Everyone has their own opinion when it comes to that question, but many people are convinced that this is true. Rain or shine, being out on your bike immersed in the environment is mentally beneficial. Cargo bikes allow you to do more activities by bike instead of car, which means you won’t be stuck in traffic and arrive at your destination frazzled. You won’t ever have to drive in circles looking for a parking space, either.

A practical and healthy investment

Cargo bikes are investment. Prices range from inexpensive for non-motorized versions to very pricey for electric cargo bikes with the most powerful motors and large-capacity batteries. However much you spend, you can be sure that a cargo bike can save a significant amount of money in the longer-term, while improving your physical and mental health.

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Three essential accessories for commuting by bike

People have been pedaling to work since the invention of the bicycle, but practicing this environmentally-friendly commute is a bit trickier now than it was during the Victorian era. With so many cars on our roads and a lack of bike lanes, biking to work can be a dangerous endeavor. Fortunately, there are now more cycling-oriented accessories that make commuting by bike safer and less stressful. Here are three essential accessories for biking to work.

Helmet

Whether or not a helmet is a legal requirement or social norm, worn correctly, it can reduce the risk of head injury by 85%. Even if you’re a very experienced rider, accidents happen. Your fault or not, if your head hits the pavement at speed, a helmet could save you from brain damage or death. Modern helmets are comfortable and are well ventilated for summer and can even keep your head warm in winter with a cold-weather kit.

Tire repair kit

A tire repair kit is not an accessory most people would consider when they are getting ready to go for a bike ride. However, this little box of goodies might just save your day when things go wrong. Even if you never see yourself in this situation, it’s always better to be prepared than to be caught off guard. Pack along a spare tube, tire levers, and a pump or have a can of flat tire repair foam at the ready. If you don’t have quick-release wheels, make sure you bring tools for removing them.

Reflective high visibility vest

When it comes to commuting by bike, you need to be as visible as possible. There are many great options for staying seen and safe on the road. Reflective high visibility vests have been a lifesaver for bike commuters since they were created, but there are some other accessories that can help too.

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Five bike maintenance activities you should be doing

Checking for loose bolts, applying lubricant to the moving parts of the bike, checking tire pressure, and cleaning and lubing the chain are bike safety maintenance activities that should be done on a regular basis.

Check for loose bolts

Start by safety checking your bicycle like you would any other vehicle on the road. The first thing to do is check for loose bolts; they can be easily overlooked on all bicycle frames.

Keep tire pressure at an appropriate level

It is important to monitor what specific pressures your tires need to be at as well as how often you should be checking them. It is also important to keep the tire pressure consistent because the wrong pressure (too high or too low) will decrease in the life span of the tire and could put you at risk of a flat.

Clean the chain and gears

Properly cleaning the chain and gears regularly will increase the lifespan of your bike’s drive train and will keep chain noise to a minimum. It can be hard to identify dirt or grime on the chain, but after cleaning it you will notice a big difference. You can use a cotton rag or an old toothbrush for this or you can buy a purpose-built cleaning set that can clean all sides of the chain at the same time. How often you need to clean your chain and gears depends on how much time you spend on your bike and the conditions you ride in. If you live in a damp climate and commute every day, check your drive train every few days and clean as required.

Lubricate the chain

Chain lube is something that should be applied every few weeks, again depending on how often you ride and in what conditions. Lubricating is not difficult, but it does take a little time. First, make sure your chain is clean and dry. Then apply the lubricant to the chain and wipe off any excess with a rag. The last part is very important, as excess lubricant will attract contaminants.

Check brake pad wear

Brake pads are designed to provide the necessary stopping power, but they will wear down over time. For disc brakes, make sure there’s material on the pad’s metal backing place. For rim brakes, watch for holes or gouges in the pad material. When this happens, it’s time to replace them with new brake pads.