This E-Assist Never Needs Charging!
There is nothing quite like arriving at your destination, not stinking and in no need of a change of clothes. That’s where a little assist really makes a difference. I have a couple e-bikes and a few more traditional bikes, but this is the one that gets used most. It never needs recharging and has never needed a battery replacement!
You see, my commute is just 5.5 miles each way. The way in is mostly down hill. What isn’t, is flat. 3rd gear takes me to the flat, 2nd gear gets me through the flat and first gear helps me get started after stops. On the way home, I ride those 2nd gear flats to The Metrolink bus station. Their electric bus takes us up the hill to within a block of my home. What could be more simple and easy?
I don’t need a car to visit friends, attend concerts or go out for dinner. Yes, my range and choices of venues are somewhat limited. This is mostly due though to our limited bus schedule and the sprawl, which condemns old businesses for new, that our city fathers seem to love. Still, where I live, I am easy cycling distance to groceries, restaurants and places of worship. This is without even needing a cycle path or lane (side streets and alleys are plentiful).
On particularly nasty days, I can walk across the bridge and take the bus the whole way home! I never need to find a parking space, clear any windows, buy any gas and believe it or not, this 1966 Rollfast Royal is all original. No repairs; tighten the chain and shift cable every few lube every six months. That’s it!
You probably have similar options. We’ve talked about how busses now allow bikes (ours have racks…thanks QCBC!). Why don’t more cyclists “e” or not, ride more often? It is so nice not having to deal with traffic or planning for a bunch of changes in weather. Got a flat? Jump on a bus! It’s only a buck (.50 for old folks like me). The trip in is about ten minutes longer than in the truck (equal if stopped by a train or barge or if the windows need cleared). On an e-bike it is nearly the same, but a lot more fun and less frustrating than motoring. Now if only our busses would accept e-bikes! @metrolink ?