Hugh Janus Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 Trade in time behind the steering wheel for riding a cargo ebike. (Jeff Allen/)Thinking about getting your first ebike, but not sure you’re quite ready to pull the trigger on your purchase? What if we told you that an ebike can transform your life in myriad ways—whether for safer commuting, health benefits, meeting entirely new groups of friends, or reducing your carbon footprint and slashing your monthly bills by replacing your daily driver? Here, we run down just a handful of ways an ebike can improve your life.Find New Motivation to Ride MoreNot sure you’re up for riding today? Don’t worry; you’ve got electric assist to see the journey through. (Jeff Allen/)Much like writing an essay or story, sometimes the hardest part of going riding is just getting started. If you’re on the fence about whether you have the energy to get out for a pedal, the knowledge that you can count on electric assist to complete the trip, should you need it, is enough assurance to get you off the couch and out the front door. And once you get moving, you’ll likely be energized from the feeling of the wind in your face, the torque from your electric motor, the passing scenery, and the hum of the tires below you.Before you know it, you’ll be saying to yourself, “I can’t believe I almost didn’t go for a ride! What was I thinking?”Leave Crowded Public Transit BehindCommute by ebike for better social distancing than riding public transit. (Yamaha Power Assist Bicycles/)Public transit is a great commuting solution, especially in crowded, traffic-choked cities where automobile parking is scarce and/or prohibitively expensive. But the pandemic and the era of social distancing have blown up notions about the safety of riding in a crowded bus, subway, or commuter train. At the same time, auto traffic is lighter than many of us have seen in decades, clearing the way for safer bike travel on city streets and bike lanes.What better way to take advantage of this confluence of circumstances than to start commuting by ebike—either currently to your essential job or as more workplaces start welcoming back employees who have been stuck at home for months. As a bonus, you’ll get fresh air on your way to work, you’ll experience your city or town in a whole new way from the saddle of your ebike, and you’ll get a bit of exercise while still arriving at your job free of sweat.As you embrace commuting by ebike, be sure to purchase essential accessories like a quality helmet that meets CPSC safety standards, a high-security lock, a handlebar bell, and a headlight and taillight or cheap and simple blinky lights front and rear to announce your presence to motorists.Embrace the Cargo Ebike Lifestyle and Make Errands FunReplace your car with a cargo ebike. (Jeff Allen/)Getting a cargo ebike as a car replacement or to complement your usual driving is a fun and environmentally friendly way to get fresh air, burn less fossil fuel, and avoid battling for a parking space—is there a Trader Joe’s that isn’t a nightmare in this regard?—while running your regular errands. If you ditch your car entirely, you’ll also avoid costly monthly fuel bills and say goodbye to auto insurance premiums for good, leaving you more cash to spend on your favorite snacks and frozen pizzas (I’ll take the margherita, please) at your local TJ’s.Related: 10 Reasons To Buy An Electric Cargo BikeUse the cargo ebike’s rack system and augment it with panniers, frame bags, baskets, bungees, and other cargo accessories to maximize your carrying capacity. Many cargo ebikes also allow you to carry an adult passenger or multiple children, so you don’t have to run your errands alone.Related: Pedego Stretch Electric Cargo Bike ReviewJust like other types of pedal- and throttle-assist bicycles, cargo ebikes range widely in price, but most of these highly versatile and powerful vehicles are priced at several thousand dollars. So you’ll want to get a high-security lock or even multiple ones—think reputable brands like ABUS, Kryptonite, or Hiplok—to protect your considerable investment.Tailor Your Workout With Pedal AssistUse your sport ebike’s different assist levels for interval training. (Jeff Allen/)The multiple levels of pedal assist on most road or mountain sport ebikes make interval training extremely easy to do. For high-intensity training, after some warm-up miles select your lowest assist level—or put yourself deep in the pain cave by turning the assist completely off—and hammer your legs off for 30 seconds, then select a higher assist level to recover for anywhere from 30 to 90 seconds. Repeat two more times, then cool down.Related: Ebikes Keep Elite Road Training MotoringThis is just one example of high-intensity interval training. There’s a whole internet of options for you to discover, including these tips from Active.com on getting started. Whatever plan or program you pursue, you’ll see gains in your power output and endurance while also burning fat. Wins all around!Discover New Adventures With the Ebike CommunityPlan a group ride with fellow ebike enthusiasts. (Jeff Allen/)Just like analog road and mountain bike enthusiasts, ebike riders tend to be a fairly clubby community. Connect with your fellow e-riders through dedicated social media groups and online forums. Use the rider community to stay current on new ebikes and accessories, favorite rides, travel ideas, and commuting routes. Plan meetups and group rides and make a raft of new friends who share your same level of stoke about ebike riding.Related: Cycle Volta Rolls Out First Group Ebike RideAre you unsure of where you can legally ride your new $10,000 pedal-assist mountain bike? The community will know. Just ask. They’ll be happy to share.Editor’s note: Are you already an ebike owner and rider whose life has changed for the better by going electric? Please share your story in the comments section below.Source Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tym Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 Best way to go gay! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XTreme Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tym Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 I thought we killed off CykoWorld in the early 2000's @XTreme? Its like a zombie website now!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XTreme Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 29 minutes ago, Tym said: I thought we killed off CykoWorld in the early 2000's @XTreme? Its like a zombie website now!!! Their forum has gone hasn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tym Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 8 minutes ago, XTreme said: Their forum has gone hasn't it? God knows, i fear looking! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XTreme Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 6 minutes ago, Tym said: God knows, i fear looking! Yeh......they closed it! Just thinking how different things might have been if I hadn't gone there recruiting for Bikezone in 2002. What you say @Lone Amigo? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tym Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 Word, i would still be calling all of Britain "England" right now.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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