Is getting an ebike even worth it? An electric bike saves you lots of time and money depending on how you intend to use it.
The electric bike revolution has completely changed how people commute and travel. Ebikes were first invented on December 31, 1895, by an American inventor called Ogden Bolton Jr where he had the first patent for a battery-powered bicycle.
They provide a cleaner and more effective substitute for conventional transportation. But the question still stands: Are they really worth the money?
Let's explore the advantages an electric bike provides to your everyday commute and the many aspects of having one.
How Electric Bikes Help Save the Environment
It has become morally imperative to use eco-friendly transportation options as concerns about climate change continue to rise.
Electric bikes are essential for cutting carbon emissions and fighting air pollution. Electric bikes have no tailpipe emissions, in contrast to conventional vehicles that use fossil fuels.
You can really reduce the carbon footprint you put on Earth by simply deciding to ride an electric bike rather than driving a car, which helps to create a cleaner world to live in.
Additionally, compared to the production of cars, the creation of electric bikes uses fewer resources. Electric bikes are often a more environmentally friendly option because they require fewer materials and have an easier manufacturing procedure.
Is An Electric Bike Worth It? Time-Saving examples.
Switching from a car to an electric bike can lead to a lot of time being saved.
Avoiding Traffic Jams
Avoiding traffic jams is one of the most significant advantages of an electric bike in terms of time savings. Imagine driving to work at rush hour, when traffic is heavy and the roads are jam-packed with vehicles.
If you live on a bike friendly place where the roads have dedicated bike lanes, you may easily zip through congested city streets and use these routes that are inaccessible to cars with the motorized assist that ebikes all have.
For example, let’s say you live in Greater Vancouver city called East Vancouver. If you worked at Granville Island Public Market during rush hour, the approximate time to drive to work can take up to 40 mins. This does not even include the time you will spend finding parking!
With an electric bike, you won’t be stuck in traffic because you are on the bike lane. For the example above, you will only take 25 mins for a regular bicycle to commute to work.
With an ebike and an average speed of 32km/hr, you will only be spending around 12 mins to commute! Roundtrip, that is 25 mins a day of time saved. If you work 5 days a week at the office, you will be saving 125 mins every week.
As you see, you can really recoup significant time lost to sitting in traffic by introducing an electric bike into your daily routine.
[Time Saved: 500 Mins or 8.3 Hours every month]
Shorter Commute Time
Time is a valuable resource, particularly during everyday journeys. Imagine you have to commute 1.5 hours to work or to school one way. That is 3 hours a day commuting!
While that may not seem like much time at all, 3 hours 5 days a week totals to a whopping 60 hours a month just for your commute time! That is practically a full-time job.
Electric bikes can use routes that are bike-friendly and can be used instead of driving-only shortcuts.
Your daily commute's required distance and time can be greatly decreased because of this.
For instance, a route taken in a car can require navigating around big blocks or taking detours, whereas a route taken on an electric bike can be more straight and effective since you’re cutting through streets on the bike path.
A 1.5 hour commute to work by car during rush hour could take as little as 40 mins with an ebike.
[Time Saved: 33 Hours every month]
No car parking needed
Finding a parking spot in a crowded urban area can be time-consuming and irritating. This is especially true if you are commuting to a downtown area such as Vancouver.
An electric bike eliminates the need to look for parking by allowing you to simply lock it up at a bike rack or even bring it inside your workplace.
Is An Electric Bike Worth It? Money-Saving Examples.
Aside from the initial expense of purchasing an ebike, owning one can result in significant long-term cost savings.
Lower Operating Costs
When comparing the cost of owning a car vs an ebike, there is just such a big difference. With an ebike, there is no need to pay for any car insurance or gas. All you need to pay for is the electricity that charges your bike.
The cost to operate an e-bike is just minimal compared to the car costs.
[Money Saved: $1832 every year for not having to buy car insurance]
No Need for Auto Insurance
For inexperienced or young drivers in particular, auto insurance premiums can be quite expensive. For example, the average car insurance cost is 1,832 per year in Vancouver, BC, Canada according to Ratehub.
You can altogether avoid these pricey insurance costs by simply choosing to ride an electric bike.
By riding an ebike, you are saving ($1832/12 months) = $152.67 every single month on just car insurance alone.
The price of one year of car insurance is essentially the cost to buy an ebike from Rize Bikes. You can use an ebike for many years if you take care of it correctly!
Reduced Maintenance Costs
Regular car maintenance, such as oil changes, tyre rotations and engine inspections, may quickly add up. Low maintenance expenses are a result of the simpler mechanics and fewer moving parts of electric bikes.
For example, the average car fix per year is around $600. That’s $50 every month that you do not need to spend if you were to use an ebike instead.
Of course, biking to work or school may not always be an option for everybody. But it is definitely a good idea for those who are able to do so.
Final Thoughts on Is An Electric Bike Worth It
Clearly, you can see that having an ebike will give you many advantages that owning a car does not give.
First of all, riding an ebike allows you to get some exercise while you're at it. Plus, thanks to the pedal assist function that all ebike have, you won't end up feeling too tired at all.
Secondly, as the world is slowly looking for more sustainable practices, electric bikes have become an enticing alternative for the environmentally concerned and those searching for a hassle-free and enjoyable daily commute.
Lastly, if you don’t live too far from your work or school, using an ebike for commuting will also save you a ton of money and time in the long run!
So, if you're wondering if buying an electric bike is worthwhile, the answer is 100% yes!
Even if you do not use an ebike for your daily commute, it is still a lot of fun to ride around your city or on nearby trails.
