My e-bike experience

The hype is real.

Over the summer, I experienced why biking is best. Now, with winter just around the corner, it feels timely to reflect on my e-biking experience before I put my ride away.

The best parts.

• The wind is always at my back.

• Steep hills? Bring it on.

• I bike more often and I'm more active.

• I can go further, faster.

• I have more power to pull heavy loads, including my kid!

• No showers at work? No problem.

• I am not sweaty when I arrive at my destination.

• E-bikes tend to be heavier, so by reducing the assistance, I also get a really good workout.

• Doing multiple errands is easier and more convenient.

• I'm more adventurous. I get to discover paths I would have never dared trying, either because of the distance or the hilly terrain.

• It's a money saver.

• I don't need to drive.

• Parking isn't a problem.

• Biking is more enjoyable. If you see someone smiling, while riding up a hill, it's probably me on my e-bike.

• I have never regretted commuting by e-bike. It's just so easy.

• I am taking climate action by reducing my carbon emissions. Time to adapt!

What I would have liked to know before buying a commuter e-bike.

• It's heavy! If your arms and legs are buttery, build some strength before buying these. You could also get a lighter e-bike, the range might be shorter, but you could lift it when you need to.

• Not all e-bikes can go up steep hills. If you can't try it, don't buy it. Sometimes, bike retailers are way too eager to sell their inventory, so they will tell you it's a breeze to go up hills, but that might not be the case. If you live in an area with lots of hills, testing is a must. You don't want to walk a heavy bike, with cargo, up a hill.

• If the e-bike battery is removeable, try removing it yourself to see if it's easy to clip back in. Some e-bikes have the batteries underneath the frame, and it's not fun to remove.

• My e-bike didn't qualify for financial assistance because the model wasn't listed in the province of Quebec's Programme d’aide à la réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre dans le transport routier des marchandises. Check out your province's and city's e-bike incentive programs in detail, if your e-bike qualifies, you might save some cash.

• Not all e-bike dealers do repairs. Before spending your hard-earned cash, make sure you have access to a bike repair shop that does electrical and maintenance work.

• If you don't have space to store an e-bike and protect it from external elements between uses, you might want to look into other compact options (i.e., folding e-bike, e-scooters).

• You absolutely need a helmet.

Overall, it has been an amazing experience. I wish the roads weren't salted in my area, that way, I could tack on studded tires and pedal all winter long.

If you have an e-bike or have tried one, I'd love to hear from you. What surprised you? What did you wish you knew before buying one? If you don't have an e-bike and wouldn't consider getting one, I'd like to hear from you too! What's your situation?

Off I go!