3 reasons why e-biking is the best way to return to work after Covid-19

With people in the UK returning to work, the battery-powered e-bike offers a method of transport that has some distinct advantages over other motorised vehicles. And with outdoor temperatures warming up in the springtime, now is the perfect time to give e-biking a try. Some urban planners think that the UK is on the brink of a transportation revolution where walking and cycling will be the primary forms of transport in city centres.

E-bikes have revolutionised the way people travel throughout Europe. Now it is time to fully embrace this change in the UK.

Here are 3 reasons why e-biking is the best way to return to work after Covid-19.

1 – e-biking can help greatly reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

E-bikes are great for the environment because they run on clean energy. As opposed to cars, trucks and motorcycles that run on gas and diesel fuel releasing carbon emissions into the air, e-bikes are considered to be zero-emission vehicles.

A recent scientific study published by researchers at the University of Leeds concluded that if used to replace car travel, e-biking can cut carbon dioxide emissions in the UK by up to fifty percent. This is critical because carbon emissions and the release of other hazardous gases into the air are the primary cause of global warming and climate change.

As zero-emission vehicles, e-bikes are also a way to reduce smog which causes air pollution and leads to respiratory problems. E-bikes even have a positive impact on public roadways since they are light and cause much less damage to roads than cars and trucks do. So riding an e-bike can greatly reduce the need for heavy machinery used to make road repairs, which emit a large amount of toxic gases into the air.

2 – e-biking can be a more affordable form of transport.

Public transport costs in the UK have risen above the standard rate of inflation every year for more than a decade. London is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in, with one single ride on the tube costing nearly 5 pounds.

It costs an average of just a few pence to charge up a standard electric bike, which will allot you a travel distance of up to 60 km. You can also save up to 35 pounds per day, the cost of parking your car at a garage, since e-bike parking in the UK is generally free.

The UK also has several cities like Bristol, Cambridge, and Brighton with poor public transport systems, where e-biking would eliminate a lot of hassle. Electric bikes also have much lower average annual maintenance costs than those of cars, trucks and motorcycles. Standard e-bike repairs like changing a flat tyre, replacing an inner tube, brake or gear cable, or getting a drive train adjustment, each cost well under 50 pounds. These expenses are peanuts when compared to the almost 1,300 pounds in maintenance costs that the average car owner spends yearly in the UK. Moreover, e-biking is a much cheaper form of transport when compared to the average cost of fuel for other motorised vehicles.

3 – e-biking is being encouraged by the UK government

Social distancing regulations have reduced the available capacity for public transport, making e-biking a great alternative. As a response to these regulations, the UK government announced a 2 billion pound package in 2020 to create a new era of walking and cycling. This package includes the creation of more bike lanes with a protected area for cyclists, wider pavements, and safer junctions. These planned changes are intended to encourage people to develop healthier transportation habits and make sure that the road and bus networks are ready to respond to a future increase in demand.

These government changes in the UK include creating a “bike tube” network in London above underground lines, and a long stretch of protected cycle track in Manchester. In towns and cities, some streets will be limited to bike and bus use only.

UK Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps was quoted as saying, “During this crisis, millions of people have discovered cycling – whether for exercise or as a means of safe, socially-distanced transport. While there is no change to the ‘stay at home’ message today, when the country does get back to work we need those people to stay on their bikes and be joined by many more.” He concluded, “We know cars will continue to remain vital for many, but as we look to the future we must build a better country with greener travel habits, cleaner air and healthier communities.”

As we have seen, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, more and more people in the UK are discovering e-biking as their preferred method of transportation. E-biking is part of an investment plan that the UK needs to get people moving safely again in ways that are environmentally-friendly, economically sustainable, and a lot of fun. This exciting transformation is good for their health, and can help the UK spur a green recovery for life after the lockdown. So consider carefully these 3 reasons why e-biking is the best way to return to work after Covid-19. You’re not only doing something good for yourself and others right now, but you are also adapting to what may very well become the preferred mode of transport in the near future, and indeed doing your part to lead the way.