While social distancing is still recommended, the electric bike is the ideal solution for going to work . If riding a bike is easier in summer, this is not necessarily the case in fall and spring. The most daring will continue their efforts in winter.
But how to start cycling? How to dress ? What equipment to buy for velotaf? What essential accessories? Discover in this guide our tips and tricks for getting to work by bike.
Start bike commuting
By opting for a soft mobility solution , you contribute to the better health of our planet. But not only ! Not everyone has the courage to use a bicycle. For greater ease, the electric bike is the ideal solution for going to work.
If the battery loses efficiency in cold weather, it is mainly the weather that does not encourage users to get on their bike. But during the sunny days at the start of September or in the middle of spring,going to work by electric bike is a real daily joy.
Divide your travel time to work in half
Whether in front of the car, or by public transport, it is proven that the electric bike is much faster to get to the place of activity. With an average speed tending towards 13 km/h in the Paris region for the car, this mode of transport is completely overtaken by two wheels.
Thanks to the power of the electric motor, the bike takes you to your destination in much less time. You can weave through traffic, take advantage of reserved cycle lanes to go faster and faster. Municipalities are increasingly pushing for the practice of velotaf.
If the mechanical city bike is often reserved for the more sporty, the electric bike has many advantages such as being able to cover greater distances with little or no effort. The RER bicycle which is slowly starting to be created in Île-de-France is proof of this.
Combat social distancing with the electric bike
With the proliferation of numerous cycle paths in our cities, it has never been easier to ride an electric bike. This prevents cyclists from having to crowd onto public transport. On an electric bike you are alone and ride at your own pace, almost effortlessly.
More than 50 km of cycle paths will be made permanent in 2021 in Paris
Wide dedicated lanes like the coronapistes allow you to get to work in half the time than with a car. It is calculated on average that it only takes around 20 minutes on an electric bike to cover 10 km . These coronapistes even have a card in Ile de France just like the long cycle paths in Ile-de-France called RER Vélo . a simple and efficient way to go to work by bike.
If you are a Parisian, you know that by car this time can easily be doubled, or even tripled in the event of a traffic jam in the morning and evening around the capital. If the car brings comfort, traffic problems on the other hand bring tension, frustration and anger. Quite the opposite of the electric commuter which moves easily and quickly between traffic.
Oxygenate before and after work for a better life
With the various lockdowns throughout the year, being able to go to work by electric bike is a real breath of fresh air. You can enjoy the air effortlessly. It also allows you to completely clear your mind after work and provides a real break when you get home.
Electric vetting has become almost the only outdoor activity that it is possible to practice without risk, after the restrictive measures experienced. This light physical activity is also extremely good for your health. Electric commuting for the commute to work and vice versa is a moment to yourself in a bubble where you can unload your emotions before arriving home or at the office.
The sustainable mobility package for electric commuting
400 euros in 2021 and soon 500 euros per year from 2022 , this is the amount of the sustainable mobility package that you can obtain from your employer if you go to work by bike. This also works if you go to working on an electric scooter .
Fairly little known to users, it works just like public transport reimbursement and it can even be combined with the latter. There is no longer any reason to prefer to lock yourself in a bus or the metro compared to an electrically assisted bicycle.
Checking the good condition of your electric bike
At the end of winter, your electrically assisted bicycle (VAE) may have been left aside for a long time without being used. Before heading to work on your electric commuter, there are a few things to check for greater safety.
Properly inflate the tires of your electric bike
It is essential but it is important to inflate your tires properly on an electric bike. Both for cushioning road irregularities, but also to avoid punctures . Indeed, an underinflated tire will tend to cause more punctures with the pinching of the inner tube.
Electric bikes are also generally equipped with reinforced tires because the electric motor causes more friction of the tire on the road. This is why it is more interesting to avoid puncturing so as not to have to change this.
But inflating the tire for cycling is also essential to consume less. With good tire pressure, you drive more efficiently without losing energy. So don't hesitate to do this check, especially since many manual pumps are installed in the streets.
Have mechanical parts such as chain and sprockets checked
If you want to get back on the electric bike in the spring, also remember to check that your bike has not been damaged during its inactivity . For this, you can benefit from a “bicycle boost”. With approved repairers, you have a reimbursement of 50 euros on a repair .
Just check if the bike chain is in good condition and if the gears shift without forcing. If this is not the case, buy inexpensive maintenance products to give your bike a new lease of life.
In addition, the braking part may require repair. On electric bikes you ride on average a little faster than on a classic bike (unless you are a real sportsman). It is therefore important to be able to rely effectively on the brakes for greater safety.
When the road is damp or wet, also remember to check your mudguards. These are very practical to avoid getting dirty. Then check that they are not broken and correctly attached to your bike.
Check the good condition of the electric bike battery
As for lithium batteries, we see for the good shape of the cells that it is better to recharge your electric bike at least once a month. This allows the battery to wear out less over time.
So if your electric bike has not moved during the winter months, take a good look at whether it has not lost autonomy when you reuse your electric bike for the first time of the year.
What equipment for commuting by bike?
Whether in fall or spring, temperatures are cool, especially in the morning. Even during the day when temperatures reach 10 or 15 degrees, the wind is particularly cold when cycling.
No question of leaving in a t-shirt in the morning to go to work on an electric bike. It's a shot to get sick on the first day. But how do you dress to cycle to work ?
To do this, remember to equip yourself well on your electric bike. If you leave very early in the morning and the light is still a little hesitant, your bike must have sufficient lighting to be seen on the road.
A helmet with visor to protect from the wind
Although a bicycle helmet is not yet compulsory in the eyes of the law for electric bicycles, it is still strongly recommended . There are different models which all provide sufficient protection in the event of a fall in our store.
But the cool spring wind can be stopped by a protective visor at eye level. As on the Urban bicycle helmet from the Kask brand . With its trendy look, it effectively protects from the wind to always keep your eyes on the road.
If you don't want a visor and prefer a retro look when cycling, we recommend the Thousand helmets in their Heritage collection.
A windbreaker for cool mornings
Whether to block the wind or even protect from the rain, a The Peoples Poncho 3.0 rain cape is perfectly suited to cycling with its technical material.
With straps attaching to the handlebars, your hands can even be protected with this very light jacket that takes up no space on your clothes.
Cycling gloves to fight the cold
The hands are the part most sensitive to the cold on an electric bike. For a few euros, it is possible to equip yourself with lightweight gloves suitable for cycling. Protective gloves effective against the cold and useful in the event of a fall to protect your hands. With electric cycling gloves, you can grip the handlebars well to be responsive in traffic.
Support smartphone on the handlebar
To always have your route in sight, invest in a smartphone holder to attach to the handlebars of electric bikes. You can save time on your commute to work by adapting to traffic.
Drive safely
Weebot recommends adding one or more mirrors to monitor your rear while cycling. This allows you to keep an eye on traffic at all times without having to turn around. Very practical when you want to move aside to avoid an obstacle.
Conclusion
As soon as the sunny days return, it is much easier to get to work by bike every day. If we have one last tip for cycling, it is to have a bag on the luggage rack of your electric bike rather than a backpack .
This is much more pleasant for riding a bike peacefully instead of carrying the various equipment you need at work on your back.