E-bike sales

[flecc]

I do feel that the major sticking point at the moment, and it's something of a 'catch 22', is cost. Without the demand, the costs stay high, yet the demand will stay low, mainly due to cost

There have been some cheap enough bikes though, around £300 to £400,and as we know, parents have often spent money of that sort on illegal petrol powered minibikes and quad bikes for their kids. The sort of e-bikes at these low prices are like those below that Fecn sold recently, and that mountain bike style appeals to the kids:

 

[Straylight]

Oh, very cute I'd have loved one of those when I was a kid! Yet, nothing from the main e-bike manufacturers, or any specialist doing e-bikes soley for children (to be used 'off road' of course ), well as far as I'm aware. Meaning that is such cycle makers exist, then they're staying way to far below the radar to have any impact, and that they should be trying to get their products into Halfords etc.

 

[flecc]

Oh, very cute I'd have loved one of those when I was a kid!

They were offered second hand for about £100 each in the end I think, well inside many parental budgets. As you say, kids would love them, and there were a number like this on ebay at around £350 new in recent years. The government wants kids to cycle to school, with these they'd be only too willing!

The potential is undoubtedly there if we could scrap that UK lower age limit.
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[Straylight]

Sure, but then I supose you'd have to get over the hyper protectiveness of a lot of parents. After all, those that can afford them are still buying tanks for the school run.

The funny thing is that I don't think the world's significantly more dangerous than it was, the danger is just subjected to more media coverage and hyperbole.

 

[flecc]

Yes, that's a big problem now, not wanting their kids to cycle or have mopeds etc. As you say, the world isn't more dangerous, in fact it's a whole lot safer in many respects. UK road deaths now down from around 6000 a year when I was in my twenties to just below 3000 at the last annual count.

Helmets for cyclists and motorcyclists didn't exist when I was young, there were no cyclepaths and cycle lanes and very few dual carriagways. There was no national speed limit, once out of the 30 mph built up areas it was any speed you liked on any road you liked.

It certainly is a very much safer world.
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[Dynamic Position]

Absolutely, the younger the better, how about 50W e-trikes for toddlers . I do feel that the major sticking point at the moment, and it's something of a 'catch 22', is cost. Without the demand, the costs stay high, yet the demand will stay low, mainly due to cost

What amazes me is that the average (middle class) parent will spend £1000's (over the course of the childs development) making sure that their progeny have the latest PSwhatever, then paying for driving lessons when they hit 17! To break this cycle (pardon the pun ), there has to be a way of making entry level e-biking far cheaper.

e-trikes are available in the uK. I was on holiday in Rhyl, N. Wales and the only e-bike I spotted was an e-trike for a child. I should have taken a photograph because it looked the part and it was fairly fast moving.

I wish my two boys would cycle to school because their bus fares (monthly passes) will be £87 per month.

 

[Alex728]

I wish my two boys would cycle to school because their bus fares (monthly passes) will be £87 per month.

have you discussed with them why they are unwilling to do so? are they frightened of traffic, worried about theft or think its too much effort?

in my teens it was the opposite, my parents thought it was dangerous and wouldn't let me!

 

[Dynamic Position]

have you discussed with them why they are unwilling to do so? are they frightened of traffic, worried about theft or think its too much effort?

in my teens it was the opposite, my parents thought it was dangerous and wouldn't let me!

My wife thinks it is too dangerous. With cycle lanes created with a line of paint it they are not protected sufficiently. Bike security from vandalism is also a consideration. I'm lucky that my wife lets me cycle to work, I was almost banned the minute my doctor diagnosed high blood pressure, this is why I now have an e-bike. I could take the car but I hate stop start traffic. I enjoy cycling, but look forward to when I can cycle for pleasure rather than commuting.