Carly Earl trials a family-friendly electric bike to see if she can reduce morning travel times – and be fitter, happier and more productive
Man, I hate when it’s raining too hard to bike and I have to drop my kid off at school by car instead, just because it takes so long waiting in line (literally longer than my entire round trip by bike). I don’t understand how the other parents who drive every day stand it! I wish they knew what they were missing.
And now I’m arriving at my job, sweaty and exhausted. Now do it in the winter with 2’ of snow.
It’s always the most privileged looking, wealthy people telling us how easy it is to live car free.
I got my ebike in winter. If I took a car I would still need winter gear once I get out. Plus, I’m supposed to schedule exercise for myself in the day anyway - doing it on a bike just means I accomplish it in transit.
Around half of disabled people can’t drive, but everyone who can drive can use some kind of micro-mobility.
I genuinely don’t know why you’re so pissed and toxic about the idea of it. If you can’t, you can’t, no one force you to do it.
Ebikes are almost too easy to ride, even uphill with 2 kids I never break a sweat. They’re not cheap though, but still cheaper than a decent car.
To answer the article’s question: yes, it’s much faster dropping my kids and getting to work by bike than by car. And I never have to worry about parking.
Upvoted. But, if you can afford to use alternatives you should. It might be cost, weather, distance, etc that isn’t affordable for you.
I personally rode a motorcycle(later a maxi scooter) full time for 7 years with a 45 min commute. The first winter I bought tons of rain gear because we don’t get snow, just rain. The 3rd year I shelved it all and got uber/lyft.
The point though is that the more people that take a micro mobility route the more it benefits the people that can’t.
If transit was funded properly it would work but I don’t think there’s a single city in North America with a properly funded transit system. Where I live, traveling with kids means you’re waiting for a bus for 30-45 minutes for it to show up packed and no room left for you. So it’s a nightmare. I don’t even have a car but I wish I did, cause getting around on transit can take you 2 hours to travel 20 km
I am sure as shit not wealthy and do this myself, so it’s not impossible.
Also, it’s not exhausting once you acclimate to it. Plus an ebike entirely negates the argument that it makes you tired or sweaty (though I usually commute on an unpowered bike).
I get that it’s not for everyone but there are also a shitload of people who absolutely could do it and choose not to. Some are even openly hostile to the suggestion.
