E-bikes offer a convenient and reliable mode of transport with added health benefits. Comfortable and versatile, modern electric bikes can be the perfect choice for urban commuters and off-road cyclists alike. It’s no wonder traditional bikes and e-bikes are a staple mode of transport in UK cities like York, Cambridge, and Kingston upon Hull.
But the benefits of electric bikes go even further. Eliminating the need for expenses like insurance, tax, and licenses, it’s not a stretch to say that e-bikes can save individuals and businesses hundreds if not thousands of pounds every year.
5 Economic Benefits of Electric Bikes for Users
Insurance and Registration.
As long as an e-bike meets the requirements to be classified as an ‘electrically assisted pedal cycle’ (EAPC), they don’t need to be registered, taxed or insured. The rider doesn’t need to have a driving license, either, resulting in even more savings. Read our last blog post to find out what requirements an e-bike must meet to be classed as an EAPC.
Petrol and Diesel.
Replacing your vehicle with an e-bike for some or all of your regular journeys can lead to massive savings in petrol and diesel. The average e-bike costs just 5-10p per charge, covering distances up to 100 miles per charge. Of course, this figure can vary widely based on things like battery size, terrain, speed etc, but even if a single charge covers just 15 miles, it’s still a very significant saving compared to the cost of a tank of petrol or diesel, which adds up to an average of £899 per year.
Vehicle Maintenance Costs.
On top of petrol and diesel costs, maintaining a vehicle can be pricey. Things like repairs, services and yearly MOTs add up. In fact, the average UK car owner spends £472 on repairs and servicing each year. In comparison, e-bike servicing typically costs users around £25-£45 per year, with a £100-£500 battery replacement every 2-8 years.
Lower Initial Investment.
The right model and price point for you will depend on what you want your e-bike for, but you can certainly get your hands on a great e-bike that’ll last for around £1,000. This initial investment is much less than what you’d pay for most second-hand cars or other vehicles.
Commuting and Parking.
Not only can swapping your daily car, bus or train ride to work for an e-bike commute do wonders for your physical and mental health, but it can also save you a significant amount of money. Wave goodbye to steep peak time public transport fares and parking rates, and say hello to a more cost-friendly daily roundtrip.
What Economic Benefits can E-bikes Offer Businesses?
Many of the general economic benefits explored above can be beneficial to businesses as well as individuals.
For example:
- Transport for Deliveries and Meetings. E-bikes can be a quicker, more energy efficient and cheaper way of attending business meetings or delivering goods within your city.
- Encouraging Healthy Habits to Reduce Absence. Encouraging employees to commute by e-bike (perhaps using an incentive like the Cycle to Work scheme) is an excellent way to support your staff. Cycling has a great range of health benefits, and could potentially result in a healthier, happier workforce with lower rates of absence.
- Hiring out E-bikes. Hiring e-bikes can be a good money maker for businesses like holiday parks, tour operators and hotels. Easy to use, quick, and cheaper than using public transport, electric bikes can be an attractive option for tourists and sightseers.
How Might Widespread Electric Bike use Financially Support Cities?
Electric bikes offer the perfect balance of power and road-friendliness; with their added motor they’re easier to ride than standard pushbikes, but they’re still much gentler on the tarmac than large vehicles like cars and motorbikes. In turn, a widespread adoption of cycling with e-bikes could ultimately result in fewer road repairs and lower maintenance costs for councils. Similarly, more cyclists could lead to fewer users of public transport systems, potentially reducing costs associated with their upkeep and expansion in the future.
In summary, the potential economic benefits of e-bike use include:
- Cheaper to buy than a car or motorcycle.
- Savings on vehicle upkeep costs (e.g., tax, registration, license, fuel, repairs and maintenance).
- Savings on public transport and parking fares.
- Can be a more cost-effective option for businesses doing deliveries or travelling to meetings in the city.
- Potentially encouraging a healthier workforce with lower rates of absence.
- Opportunity to hire out e-bikes as an extra money-maker for businesses in the tourist industry.
- Can help reduce wear and tear of roads, potentially leading to fewer repairs and lower maintenance costs.
Find the Right Electric Bike for You or Your Company
Widespread adoption of e-bikes opens the door to a range of economic benefits for individuals, businesses and cities alike. Whether you’re looking for practical cargo bikes for employees, or a sleek crossbar model for the daily commute, E-Bikes Express stock a hand selected range of sturdy and attractive electric bikes. Chat to us online to find out which model is best suited to your needs.
