For the person who has decided they want to start getting around without driving everywhere, an e-bike is the single best alternative. Why? Well studies have shown that the biggest reduction a person can make in their carbon footprint is to get out of the car. An e-bike is the best alternative for three reasons:
- E-bikes eliminate CO2 emissions
- They are quick; most trips only take a few minutes longer than with a car
- E-bikes allow people to arrive at a destination without being a sweaty mess
An e-bike isn’t a huge expense, but they aren’t exactly cheap, either. Most of us need to budget for purchases north of $1000. An easy alternative to making the investment in an e-bike is to purchase a bike share subscription.
The team at Best Electric Bikes will break down the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing and subscriptions worth considering when choosing between them.
Bike Share
Bike share programs are expanding across the country and while initially, they were programs run by individual cities, companies such as Lyft, Veo and Lime run programs in many cities across the country.
Advantages
- Inexpensive. The incremental cost of a monthly subscription (with companies that offer them), is often less than $20/mo. That eliminates the big up-front outlay of purchasing an e-bike.
- Maintenance-free. Not owning means never having to air up tires, apply chain lube or fix a flat.
- No security concerns. Not owning means that when the ride is over, the rider doesn’t have to worry about whether the e-bike is secure, so long as it has been secured according to the service’s rules.
Disadvantages
- Location. Not all communities have a bike share program.
- Availability. Sometimes, the nearest e-bike can be far enough away that a bike or car ride would be necessary to reach the e-bike.
- Fit. Share e-bikes are made for average people and people who are especially tall or small can have trouble fitting on one. Sometimes it can be difficult to set the saddle high enough to be comfortable as well.
- Lack of cargo capacity. Most share e-bikes don’t come with a rack or basket, so carrying anything will require a backpack.
E-Bike Ownership
Purchasing an e-bike comes with a very different set of advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
- Location. The rise of direct-to-consumer brands mean someone doesn’t need to live near an e-bike shop.
- Availability. There’s never any question of whether or not an e-bike is available nearby.
- Fit. Owning an e-bike means the rider can pick an e-bike that fits their body, and the saddle will be at the perfect height at the start of each ride.
- Suited to purpose. Share e-bikes are basic city/commuter e-bikes. Owning an e-bike means being able to equip it with whatever racks or baskets and other accessories the rider selects to fit their needs
Disadvantages
- Cost. There’s a big up-front outlay. Even with the Lectric XP Lite, a shopper is looking at $800 or more.
- Theft. E-bike owners need to make sure their e-bike is secure, which can be challenging when locking an e-bike outside.
- Maintenance. An e-bike needs to have its tires inflated and chain lubed periodically. Flats and other issues are the owner’s responsibility, and may require a trip to a bike shop for help.
Final analysis
There are solid reasons for each approach. The difference in cost is substantial and for some people, the cost alone will make their decision. However, availability due to location—as in living in a city or town that lacks an e-bike share program—could be every bit as decisive.
Our best suggestion for those who live in a community that offers an e-bike share program is to begin with some research. Lyft, Lime and Veo run their programs through apps. By downloading the app and opening an account—there is no charge until an e-bike is actually checked out—potential users can see how many e-bikes are available in their neighborhood.
If an e-bike share program is an option, we suggest giving it a try if for no other reason than it can be a great way to experience riding an e-bike and using it for transportation.
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