Which One Is Better For Commuting?
Despite an increasing number of people working from home, it’s estimated that 79% of people still commute to a place of work. Interestingly, the same survey found that the majority of people still drive to work, a very small percentage take public transport or ride a bike.
Until recently, for many, the car was the only viable option. However, in recent years there has been a lot greater awareness of environmental issues and this has led to an explosion of interest in electric bikes. But which is better for your daily commute, the car or the electric bike?
The Electric Bike Option
Electric bikes, especially quality ones like the DiroDi, are an attractive option: there are a lot of pros to using an electric bike and very few downsides:
The Pros
- Better for the environment – An electric bike has zero emissions, although isn’t necessarily a net zero build. Using an electric bike for your commute means you’ll be helping to save the planet.
- Improved fitness – Some electric bikes do all the work for you, others simply assist you, you’ll still need to pedal. Therefore, commuting by electric bike is an excellent way to improve your physical fitness.
- Time-saving – If you work in a city you already appreciate how frustrating and time-consuming it is to move from one part of the city to another. There’s just too much traffic. Electric bikes have dedicated pathways and can weave around traffic. You can save a lot of time on your commute
- Improved alertness – Being in the fresh air and appreciating that you’re more vulnerable on a bike than in a car, means you’ll be more alert on your way to work. This alertness can carry through into your workplace and improve your performance.
The Cons
- Length of commute – The electric bike is an excellent choice for relatively short distances. If your commute is longer then you’ll be much faster in a car, they travel at a far higher speed
- Re-charging/ range anxiety – Electric bikes can only get so far on one charge. You may find yourself anxious about completing your journey and need to find a charging point near, or in, your office.
Taking The Car
The car seems like a convenient option. However:
The Pros
- Comfortable – No matter how comfortable your electric bike is, a car is likely to be more comfortable.
- Good for distance – With a car you don’t have to worry about whether you have enough charge to get to your destination. They may be the better option for long commutes.
- Not affected by the weather – Riding a bike loses some of its appeal when it’s cold, wet, windy, or all three. Bad weather doesn’t make a difference if you’re in a car.
The Cons
- Bad for the environment – The traditional combustion engine emits a large quantity of toxins which are harmful to the environment. It’s one of the biggest causes of climate change.
- Costly to run – In recent years the price of oil, and therefore fuel, has risen steadily. Your car now costs a lot more to run than it did and this price is likely to keep rising. It’s not just fuel, you have insurance and maintenance bills to worry about.
- Additional costs – You can’t park your car in your office like you can with an electric bike. You have to pay for parking, which can be costly. You also have to deal with traffic jams and have no way around them if you’re running late.
Summing Up
While the electric bike is the better option for the environment and your wallet, the decision regarding which is better, car or electric bike, is a personal one. If you live more than 20 miles from your work you may find the car remains the better option; In all other cases, perhaps it’s time you gave an electric bike a try!
