Do you recommend an Electric Bike for commutes and occasionally carrying toddler?

[DDibs100]

Hello all!

I have recently got a new job and my commute, including nursery drop off is 1 hour and 20 mins. I would love to make this more efficient with a quicker journey and have been thinking about an electric bike. My LO is two years old and a heavy boy! And there is a slow steady incline on the way home - hence wanting an electric bike instead of a normal one. I want to feel confident that I will bike more and just need a little help with my fitness also.

What I would love is some recommendations on any electric bikes that you have attached a toddler seat too? I am looking to spend around £1000 - which is the amount i can get through the Cycle to Work scheme.

Thank you in advance to anybody who answers, I appreciate it so much

Would you put a two year old on a motorbike. No of course not so why would you risk putting him on an electric bike. They are extremely dangerous and not something to transport a small child on.

Have you been on an electric bike?

Weird hysterical first response there 😂

I can’t recommend in that price range as I think you really do get what you pay for. Only thing is you definitely do not want any chinese tat bike from ebay or what have you.

Far better to wait and save and get a sturdy bike from a reputable UK dealer with a shop near you.

Hi @Newwaves - I really appreciate your concern for my LO :) Thank you! But an electric bike only goes up to 15 miles an hour and I would of course be super careful when riding it. Do you have any recommendations for bikes? Electric or otherwise I would love to hear it. Thank you again

I haven't got personal experience to share, but I was reading this today and thinking about getting one https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/best-electric-bikes

Other useful questions are: do you have somewhere safe to store it at home and at work? Do you think renting one would help you decide first? It's a big outlay if it turns out to be a massive PITA.

I suggest you try hiring one to begin with and decide how you feel about riding it, and putting your DC on it.

I also don't have a recommendation in that price range. I think the cycle to work scheme has been extended so you can spend more than £1k. Not that that helps if you want to spend only £1k.

In terms of important things:

1. The best positioning for a motor is a motor at the centre of the pedals as it's like having Olympic legs.
2. The second best option is the rear hub, the worst is the front of the bike.
3. Check out the rates distances from the batteries. You don't actually get the distances being advertised so cut 1/3 off the advertised range if you have a decent number of hills etc.
4. Consider charging and charging safety. Ideally you want to charge outside the house. In reality, loads of people can't do that, including me. However, I have a well made bike and that reduces the fire risk. If you can't charge outside you'll want the battery to be removable.
5. Consider the replaceability of spare parts. Things like a battery don't last forever. If something is a proprietary shape (e.g. some frame batteries) then it will be harder to replace, more expensive and potentially impossible if the supplier goes bust. A generic shape should be usable for longer.

I love my ebike, it's fabulous. It extends my range and increases my enjoyment of cycling immensely.

You want to get this moved to the cycling forum to avoid the nutters like @Newwaves Tern GSD would be my suggestion but out of your budget I’m afraid.

https://www.ridgeback.co.uk/ridgeback-errand-varrb2213err

I just got one of these through the bike to work scheme. They are on offer just now at £999

You would need to get a pannier rack and bike seat as well which you would need to pay for separately with taxed income

Hilarious!

Do you know what an ebike is?

I didnt see the price range OP but for around 1k, you could get a folding wisper, not sure if you can carry a child on that

Or get one on finance, there are some cheap deals, you could then stretch up to 1500 which is reasonable

Ebikes are heavy though and although you wont feel it while cycling, you will feel it while trying to manouvre it, with or without child.

Or ebay perhaps, get a reliable brand that you have heard of, Trek, Giant, Cube, wisper, Juicy Bike, Ribble, Volt, even Halfords etc, check in Decathlon etc

Agree with everything @Ineffable23 said.

I don't have a recommendation either but would recommend you go to a few local bike shops and try a few. I love my e bike and would thoroughly recommend it. I have really got into cycling regularly after getting one through cycle to work. Can you ask work if they will do a slightly higher limit as it may give you a few more options. The limit where I work is £5k, though I didn't spend anything like that.

My husband has one from Halfords, it is mountain bike style which might be more sturdy with a child seat? He raves about it. We only charge the battery in the day to keep an eye on it and would only replace with a reputable one, not an import!