An electric commuting bike or city bike is one that is used for just that, commuting or riding to and from work. Commuter bike / folding bikes / city bikes where perhaps the first category of bicycles to make use of e-bike technology. Early electric commuter bikes were just conventional bikes fitted with wheels equipped with hub motors. Many were heavy due to be based on cheap conventional bikes and of questionable quality. Times have now changed with many bicycle manufacturers now producing high quality commuter or city bikes.
An electric commuter bike or city bike often has the following characteristics – a comfortable upright riding position, mudguards (or the ability to fit mudguards), a chain guard, luggage racks, hub gears and sometimes have a basket.
Folding electric bikes are commonly used for “combined commuting”. Combined commuting is where the commute involves a train, bus or car journey too. Electric folding bikes are common in big cities and can be carried onto trains, buses and undergrounds. They can easily be stored in a workplace so there are no worries about theft. Most folding bikes have smaller wheels, mudguards, luggage attachments and a limited number of gears. One of the more popular (but expensive) electric folding bikes is made by Brompton.
Using an electric bike for commuting has many advantages
– Not being held up in traffic results in quicker commutes
– Saves money on petrol, congestion charges and parking
– Keeping fit, electric bikes still require the user to pedal !
– Better for the environment.
Electric bikes may well the the answer to congestion in our cities. Electric assistance enables even non cyclists to commute longer distances to work. Of course government and local councils need to make cycling safe.
Commuter / city bikes are now produced by most of the major manufacturers such as Specialized, Giant, Trek, Boardman etc.
