Complete Novice, needs to learn fast. Can you help

[Shorwell]

Hi Pedelecs,
I have an urgent need to come up with a transport solution to take my young daughter to her first school in September. We will be travelling by London Overground and thus can take a folding bike. As we live 15 mins away from the station and the school is 15 minutes away from the end station I am thinking about buying a folding bike (and child seat!). Upon researching I had the Eureka moment that I should buy an electric version, upon more research I.........phew.
Anyway my conclusion is that I think I need a 26inch folder that is either electric or a 26inch folder and a conversion kit and a rear pannier rack mounted Child seat (that can also accommodate a battery). Does any of the Pedelec enthusiasts have any view on the best combination and potential suppliers/fitters. Safety is paramount but luckily we will always be on "safe" side roads. Thanks

 

[RobF]

A heavy folding ebike, child, and child's school stuff is a non-starter to take on and off a train twice a day.

Just about doable on a very occasional basis.

Even assuming you could get a 26" folder to fold with a child seat attached, which I doubt.

How far is it from home to school?

You mention 15 minutes either end, but ebiking all the way may be a possibility.

 

[Shorwell]

A heavy folding ebike, child, and child's school stuff is a non-starter to take on and off a train twice a day.

Just about doable on a very occasional basis.

Even assuming you could get a 26" folder to fold with a child seat attached, which I doubt.

How far is it from home to school?

You mention 15 minutes either end, but ebiking all the way may be a possibility.

Thanks RobF - I would have to travel on some horrible main roads if I miss the train journey out, so not safe enough for our precious one. Thanks for the feedback. Re-thinking.....

 

[Angelnorth]

Is there safe storage at either end of your journey? Bike lockers that you can access with a key or through one of the card systems that seem to be getting more popular? It might seem extravagant to think of two bikes but it might well be much more practical to have a bike at each end of the journey rather than one you can take on the train, particularly if you can manage on a regular bike rather than having to have an electric one. If the child seat is one that's reasonably easy to attach and take off while still being safe, you could take that on the train with you so you don't need a seat at each end.

Just a thought!

 

[Shorwell]

Is there safe storage at either end of your journey? Bike lockers that you can access with a key or through one of the card systems that seem to be getting more popular? It might seem extravagant to think of two bikes but it might well be much more practical to have a bike at each end of the journey rather than one you can take on the train, particularly if you can manage on a regular bike rather than having to have an electric one. If the child seat is one that's reasonably easy to attach and take off while still being safe, you could take that on the train with you so you don't need a seat at each end.

Just a thought!

Yes, exactly where my thoughts moved. Oh well - will have to ask for an electric bike for me for Xmas. Thanks for your words.

 

[Kudoscycles]

Go buy the latest issue of Twist and Go magazine,including Watt bike,the current issue has a story about Cathy who had a similar journey to work and used our Kudos K16 very succesfully.
The upcoming issue has a test comparing the use of the K16 and the Kudos Secret,advantages/disadvatages.
Never attached a child seat onto these small bikes.
A 26" folder with child and seat and school stuff would I think be too much.
KudosDave

 

[Angelnorth]

Yes, exactly where my thoughts moved. Oh well - will have to ask for an electric bike for me for Xmas. Thanks for your words.

An electric bike that's just for fun sounds like a great Christmas gift! Maybe you could even take your daughter on it at weekends etc. I think you can take a non-folder on overground services out of peak hours, can't you? So you could even head to parks etc without doing busy roads to start off with.

Hope you find a good solution to your commuting issue so your daughter can enjoy the trips rather than it always being a slog (not that I'd ever find a London commute anything other than a slog if I'm honest but if she's brought up with that as a norm I hope she'll feel otherwise!)