My electric bike really did change my life, it gave me my independence and freedom back.
I have never owned a car, I simply cannot afford one. I wish I had discovered electric bikes years ago!
A year and a half ago, I moved to a new city for a new job – I have M.E so this was a big move for me, getting back into work after years on benefits and living in a village. I’ve had M.E since I was 19, I’m now 33. This is the first time I have had an opportunity to have a proper job since I became ill.
I struggled with a push bike for a while (which nearly killed me! by the time I got to work my legs would be jelly, I’d be shaking, sweating and exhausted. Not a good look!) I used buses when I could.
I forget how I discovered electric bikes, I think it simply dawned on me one day that they existed, it was a light bulb moment. I bought a Chinese scooter-style e-bike for £260 from an elderly lady on Ebay. It was an absolute bargain and it changed my life. Life was fun again! Having my electric bike meant I could come and go to work as I needed, I could go shopping by myself, I could travel to see friends easily, I could run around the park with the dog on my bike, I could pop out and do chores easily… the list goes on. I can’t tell you how much I loved my bike! It made all the things that I struggled with fun again. Just riding it was so much fun, I’d laugh out loud while I’m riding around sometimes just because it made me so happy.
It’s been surprising the reactions I’ve had, as a young woman, people don’t realise I have M.E. and they don’t understand why I have an electric bike, rather than a push bike or a car. I have been called lazy and laughed at, but others think they are awesome and many of my friends would love one! I notice them around more and more now and I tell everyone how amazing they are. I’ve had several people stop me in the street and ask me about my bike and where they can get one.
Sadly… just before Christmas, just as I’d got a new battery and lights fitted, it got stolen. My heart sank. I tried not to let it get me down but it made my life miserable and such hard work again. The 2 months without my bike have been horrible… no fresh food in the house, relying on other people to buy me things or take me out, no popping up the road to see my friends, waiting at bus stops in the freezing rain, having to walk all over town to get to the right places, lugging bags of shopping around, the pain and exhaustion setting in again. Life was a struggle again.
Luckily I have managed to get myself a new, folding e-bike for £360 from Ebay, so I can now take it into work and not have to leave it out on the street to get stolen again. I haven’t been out on it yet as I still need lights and bags, but I am so happy and lucky to have yet another amazing electric bike… once I get going again there will be no stopping me!
I really believe my bike has improved my life in many ways, including achieving my best at work. I’m surprising myself how much I’m able to do and how well I am coping and improving. When my bike was stolen, I was finding it harder to cope with everything again and that affects my work and life in many ways.
I would recommend everyone has an electric bike, they’re amazing!
Our thanks to Pedelecs member, Ninatee, for sharing her story.
