Interview with a commuter

From your perspective, what are the benefits of commuting to work on an e-bike?

There are many advantages in riding my e-Bike to work,. I live outside of the city and commute to Perth’s CBD every day. On the train it takes me around 22 minutes and on the bike it can take me about 15 minutes, so it is quicker for me to get to work. It’s also more flexible – I can leave when I want, and I don’t need to rush to catch a specific bus. Riding to work also provides me with a good amount of exercise - even though many people seem to think riding an e-bike is ‘cheat’ exercising. But really, it’s up to you how much exercise you put in when you’re on an e-bike.. This is because Wedgetail e-bikes are pedal assisted, which means you need to pedal to activate the motor, and you can adjust the amount of effort the motor puts in vs how much power comes from the rider pedaling. So you can do all the pedalling and get the exercise you need if you want, or you can take it easy, and let the motor push you along, or anywhere in between. Plus, I am saving thousands of dollars!

It’s also much easier to park. Near my workplace, parking is a nightmare if you are in a larger vehicle - not to mention the cost. Whereas on my Wedgetail e-bike, no matter where I ride in the city, parking is free of charge, and you can lock the bicycle anywhere, which is a enormous benefit saving a lot of time, and of course money.

What advice would you give to people who have never commuted before by bike, but are considering it?

Make sure you find out where the cycle lanes are on your route, and always comply with the road rules just as you would in a car. Be seen – especially make sure you are obvious to motorists, such as by wearing reflective clothing, and riding with your lights on day and night.

One additional piece of crucial guidance is to make certain you do not cut corners when it comes to safety gear. If you are renting or buying a bike from Wedgetail, we have got you covered - we sell high-quality helmets in all stores and have a robust ‘no helmet, no ride’ guideline for when leaving our store.

What are the top three words that come to mind when you think about the experience of riding an e-bike?

Speedy – Enjoyable - Green!

If you are considering giving e-biking a go, you can check out our e-bicycles here, including subscription packages that allow you to try before you buy.