Less pedal to the metal a boon for thrifty two-wheel commuters, as e-bike sales take off

VICTORIAN families are putting the brakes on a second car in favour of pedal power, as electronic bikes become the easy, cheap way to commute. Here’s why.

FAMILIES are putting the brakes on a second car in favour of pedal power.

Electronic bikes are fast becoming the cheap, eco-friendly and time savvy way to commute, minus the effort and sweat of a traditional two-wheeler.

E-bikes cost between $2000 and $10,000, and come with a quiet motor powered by a rechargeable 36V lithium ion battery. Their average speed is a zippy 20-25kmh.

A leading manufacturer Bosch sold 15,000 e-bikes in Australia last year, with Melbourne leading the way with 7000.

Sales are tipped to double within two years.

John Zanol, from Ivanhoe’s Dolomiti Electric Bicycles, said e-bikes cost just 10 cents to fully charge, which took riders a distance of 200km.

It has meant that many families are using an e-bike and dumping their second car.

“Running two cars can be challenging,” he said.

“There’s the cost of registration, insurance, maintenance and not to mention fuel and parking.”

Surrey Hills mum of three Penelope McKay bought her $3200 e-bike a month ago for her 12km commute each way to the city for work.

It takes her about 35-40 minutes to ride, compared to a 50-minute drive in peak times.

She loves the e-bike so much she’s planning to sell the household’s second car.

“I used to ride to work all the time and enjoyed the ride in which was 12km mostly downhill, but coming home uphill and tired, was unenjoyable, and I was never able to sustain riding in regularly,” she said.

“The e-bike has transformed a gruelling home experience into a pleasant one, even in 36C heat. Sometimes I wear Lycra and go hard to exercise and then shower at work, and other times I just wear my work clothes and have a cruisy commute. You can go as hard as you want.”

Naomi Dyson, director of Dyson Bikes in Mulgrave, said business had grown up to 40 per cent a year since she opened in 2013.

“When we started, customers were mainly over-50s but there’s been a definite shift in the past two years towards younger families and individuals using an e-bike instead of a car,” Ms Dyson said.

“Showers and Lycra aren’t necessary. Riding isn’t an effort and it’s not punishment, but though you won’t sweat the way you do on a racing bike, you’re still raising your heart rate and exercising.

“All e-bikes are pedal assist, which means you must still pedal to activate the motor.”

Nathan Reizer, from Melbourne Electric Bicycles in St Kilda, agreed that e-bikes sales are on the rise, with several customers buying one over a second car.

Originally published as Less pedal to the metal a boon for thrifty two-wheel commuters, as e-bike sales take off