Conversation

Before two years ago, I used to commute to work by car.

Some days I did go by bicycle, but very few days, because there is a steep 0.7 mile hill to get back home. The 3.3 miles along the canal were fine. Each day is 8 miles in total.

Then two years ago, I decided to get an e-bike. I got it with the UK's Cycle to Work scheme that allows you to make tax deductions via so-called Salary Sacrifice, so that I paid about 60% of the price.

I was wondering, given my previous track record of using a bike to commute, whether I would really use it, or I was just making a toy purchase.

Well, it turned out that I commuted by bike every day since then, and, the few times (like 5) that I had to go by car or public transport for one reason or another, I found this very painful and time consuming.

By car or public transport it takes between 40 and 60 minutes at peak time, but by bike it takes 20 minutes, and often less.

So far I have done 3480 miles by e-bike in two years, which amounts to 5600km, mainly by just commuting to work.

Not only does this take less time, but it is much more pleasant to ride 2 x 3.3 miles every day along the canal, seeing only nature, than face roads and cars and buses, with everybody angry with each other.

(And also not paying for fuel or parking paid for the e-bike in less than a year.)