"200 Million Electric Bikes Sold Worldwide"
Electric Bikes are rapidly becoming the new solution to short distance, eco-friendly, fast and hassle free travel. Almost 200 million of them have been sold worldwide already, and they’re beginning to become very popular in Europe too, particularly on the continent.
Electric bicycles (often called eBikes too) are here to stay – they’re becoming part of our future sustainable transport system. But why? (Read every word in this article and you’ll understand.)
See, here’s the problem…
Petrol prices aren’t going down. The cost of filling your car (every week or two?) now sits at around £70 give or take a few quid. The expense of petrol on its own is several hundred, even a few thousand pounds per year for the average British car owner.
The pain doesn’t stop there – car insurance, services and MOT, car tax, wear and tear, depreciation, parking; and if you’re really lucky you get congestion charge too all burden the pocket and the mind of drivers everywhere.
Those of us who object and use public transport on the whole are subject to going where the bus or train wants to go, not where you want to go. If you’re like me, you regularly think of how much time you’re wasting whilst sat on a bus inconveniently winding through the city - not to mention the frustration of having to get to a bus stop or train station in the first place and then wait for the next service to “turn up”.
Grrrr…
For cyclists everywhere, obstacles, hills and the effort of trying to get from A to B (and the sweaty rewards…) put many off. Cycling is hard work too! There are some who relish the challenge, but for the average commuter anything is better than arriving at work dripping with sweat asking where the nearest shower is.
The vast majority of our journeys on the whole cover short distances. Perhaps you’re driving across town to go to the shops, or taking the bus to visit friends and family or walking down to your local for a well deserved pint – but do we really need to jump into a car which usually weigh’s over a tonne and drive such a short distance.
Sure, short distances may seem relatively insignificant but they add up quickly. Driving across town several times a week in a heavy car (while moaning about petrol prices, taxes, parking etc.) doesn’t tune in with Britain’s communal outrage at the cost of driving. Even the latest version of the humble Toyota Prius – a hybrid car praised universally for its green credentials – tips the weighing scales at a plump 1.4 tonnes. That’s as much as a hippo! “So why hasn’t the problem been solved?”
The concept of an electric bike is totally new to most Brits. The industry is new and emerging, and there is a general lack of accessible, high-quality information and quite honestly – the British public is frightened of new technology. People like to stick with what they know and understand – at the moment in the direction of hybrid cars.
“Fair enough. But when they understand the cost-savings and other benefits, surely they’d be more interested?”
Convincing the typical savvy Brit that they can save time cycling takes time and patience. Few people are prepared to accept that bikes are faster over short distances, let alone that eBikes are faster still. The air of caution about new technology tends to leave many Brits thinking they’ll wait for the later models.
As the industry is relatively new in the UK, some sellers are very much “here today, gone tomorrow” types which nurtures a strong feeling of hesitation with the British public, particularly over buying something technical like an electric bicycle.
Even introducing the concept of electric bikes to the public is difficult. The most reputable dealers and producers don’t have deep enough pockets to spend millions on raising awareness. Without more and more sales, they can’t educate the public – people like you – about the benefits of electric bikes. It’s a chicken and egg situation.
Still, for the reasons already said, there are very good reasons why people are looking for alternatives to public transport, cars, ordinary bicycles or even walking (or running if you’re really keen).
Imagine the possibilities.
You’ll be able to cut your bills dramatically. Those short trips across town won’t be a concern any longer – the fuel, the parking, congestion charge and more. For some, you may even be able to sell a car simply because you don’t need it, or be able to cut your car insurance or service bill thanks to driving less.
If you use public transport, you’ll be able to shave masses of time off your everyday journeys and not have to share a bus with the rest of the crowds – particularly in rush hour. You’ll be able to travel from A to B quickly and conveniently. Cyclists will be able to travel quicker and with less effort. You’ll arrive much fresher, more relaxed and more able to do business, go shopping or anything else - and no more headaches over hills!
That means more time to do what you want, more money spare to do what you want, the chance to get from A to B and enjoy the scenery enroute. Oh, and you get that warm fuzzy feeling from helping the planet AND getting a bit of exercise. But no one will know you’re secret if you take a rest from peddling – except perhaps if you’re overtaking them with your feet on the handlebars… but then you’re kind of asking for it ;-)
What will you do with the time and money (and stress!) you could save? Because here’s the truth…
It is a reality
As I said at the beginning, electric bikes are here to stay. It isn’t brand new technology; electric bikes have been around for years – they’re not just prototypes anymore. Worldwide almost 200 million units have been sold; that’s roughly the same number as iPods globally.
China is by far the largest and most mature market for electric bikes, with the rest of Asia also catching the eBike bug. Western Europe is predicted to be the second largest area for electric bikes thanks to the high-density cities and the EU’s progression towards sustainable energy and “green” transport.
Whether or not the UK will lead that or not is down to showing the British Public the benefits and how to make the most of this technology. Until someone takes a real step towards this goal, the electric bike market in the UK won’t ignite.
That’s what this website is for.
If you’re thinking that electric bikes are a solution to the pains, hassles and expense of short distance travel, I encourage you to take a good look around this site. Take a look at the articles below and learn more about eBikes, because you’re about to find out how electric bicycles could change your life for the better.
You won’t regret it.
You’re part of a revolution…
…So make the most of it!
- The Electric Bikes Experts
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