Greetings from Plymouth!

[Jason Scott]

Hi all,

This site looks to be a great resource and one which my wife and I need due to car parking changes at work. With two children, one at school and one at nursery, and both of us working at the same place, we've been lucky to use our car to do the school and nursery run prior to driving to work. That looks like it will come to an end soon because we're losing 700 car park spaces and everyone is having to reapply for a permit, with the primary criteria being distance between home and work. We chose to live close by (2.3 miles), with the school and nursery being within a 1 mile radius of our house.

Getting 2 bus passes will cost us about £100 per month and put us at the mercy of the bus companies. So we're considering ebikes. (So far I'm keen on the RooDogs and Cyclotricity bikes). We have a Mazda Bongo (similar to VW transporter) and a regular estate car. The Bongo gets used at weekends, so if we end up with ebikes we'll be selling our other car as it would sit unused.

This community looks like it will be invaluable for us!

 

[Jonah]

Welcome to the site Jason. Replacing one car is definitely achievable as many have done exactly that (including ourselves). You should have a go on some bikes to get a feel for what they are like. This isn't easy around Plymouth but there is one local business http://joulebikes.co.uk
and we aren't that far away if you fancy a trip up north (Devon) http://www.bikehigher.co.uk. Also, next Sunday there is a big event in Bristol if you fancied a grand day out. There will be loads of different bikes to look at and try out.

 

[Alan Quay]

If you can, you should go to the Bristol Event. It'll be the best opportunity in SW this year.

You don't need to spend a fortune to get a good e-bike. Woosh & Kudos (and many others) offer really good value machines. Or if you want something more rewarding or have specific requirements, why not convert you own?

 

[Jason Scott]

Thank you both. Getting rid of a car isn't out primary aim, but it will get almost zero use if we commute to work in other ways. The Joule Bikes look nice but beyond our price range - with two bikes to get, a max of £1000 each is realistic.

Cheers for the links and heads up re. Bristol

 

[Alan Quay]

Will you need to transport the kids on the bikes as well?

 

[Jason Scott]

We'd want a child seat for our 2 year old daughter. For my son (5) one of us would walk over to the school then hop on bike to ride to work.

 

[Alan Quay]

Ok, so pretty much any bike(s) that can take a front/rear child carrier will do the job.

You required range is about 5 miles round trip.

Assuming you don't have massive hills to climb, and you are within normal weight boundaries (nothing personal you understand!), then most bikes will work for you.

Any thoughts on style? MTB, hybrid, Dutch? Step through for the wife sir?

 

[Jason Scott]

The hills to work aren't bad but enough to cause me to sweat on a regular bike. Speaking of which, I do have a Dahon Jack 2010 model (7 speed), which I briefly thought of converting but may just sell on.

I'm keen on the mtb style but the wife would be happier with a Dutch style or step through. She's not a confident rider. We would stick to cycle paths though. The Kudos bikes look nice.

Thanks for your advice Mike!

 

[Alan Quay]

No problems. If you are ever passing Exeter, and want a test drive let me know. I have 4 bikes. One step through, two MTB's, and a cruiser.

They are not for sale but it might help clarify your thinking.

Oh, and that Dahon would make a good conversion...

 

[Jason Scott]

Thanks again

I guess if we want a rear child seat then we'll need to look at bikes where the battery is not on the rear rack.

 

[Alan Quay]

Thanks again

I guess if we want a rear child seat then we'll need to look at bikes where the battery is not on the rear rack.

no, most rear child carriers attach to the seat tube, so you should be ok.

 

[D8ve]

Given the 20 ish mpg of the bongo, we sold up and got a trailer tent. The fuel saving and road tax pays for a cheaper car.
Other than that welcome any bike will do but as it is easy on a normal bike to do 2 1/2 miles.
Remember to test the electric on no power.