It doesn't matter if your youngster is six months, a year or ten years old, going back to work after having any leave to look after a child is difficult. Investing in the best electric bikes are here to make it easier on parents.
Whether that's after taking a career break, maternity or paternity leave, getting back into your old working routine is always going to be challenging. Here at Mother&Baby, we want to ensure you're supported every step of the way.
One thing you need to consider before your return to work is how you're going to travel into the office. Rather than catching a tube, bus or tram, if you're lucky enough to be able to cycle to your job, an electric bike can really help you go the distance.
What is an electric bike?
Before you start spending your hard-earned cash on an electric bike, you need to know exactly what these bikes do and whether or not the option you pick is road legal.
An electric bike (also known as an e-bike) is exactly like a traditional bicycle, except it has an electric motor used to assist you on long journeys, up hills and against strong winds.
According to Gov.uk, "You can ride an electric bike if you’re 14 or over, as long as it meets certain requirements.
"These electric bikes are known as ‘electrically assisted pedal cycles’ (EAPCs). You don't need a licence to ride one and it doesn't need to be registered, taxed or insured."
That said, what counts as an EAPC? An EAPC must have pedals that can be used to propel it.
It must show either:
• Power output
• Manufacturer of the motor
It must also show either:
• Battery voltage
• The maximum speed of the bike
The electric motor:
• Must have a maximum power output of 250 watts
• Shouldn't be able to propel the bike when it’s travelling more than 15.5mph
• EAPC can have more than two wheels (for example, a tricycle).
Read the full guide on electric bikes: licensing, tax and insurance.
Benefits of electric bikes for families:
Many parents will be wondering what the benefit of swapping their oyster card for an e-bike will be. Here are seven incredible benefits of switching to an e-bike:
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Easy way to commute to the office
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Excellent for the school-run
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Family bike rides at the weekend
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Good for the planet
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Cheaper to run than a car or catching public transport
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Fantastic way to excercise before and after work
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Can be brought along on family staycations
What is the best type of electric bike for parents?
When choosing a bike, you need to understand what types of e-bikes are available in the first place. On the market right now, there are three different types:
Folding electric bikes: Instead of catching the tube, bus or tram back to work, invest in a folding e-bike and save yourself on ticket prices and the jampacked commute.
Hybrid electric bikes: Love exploring your local area with the kids? A hybrid e-bike knows no limits when it comes to riding around a city, your local park or to the nearest shops. Perfect for giving you that extra push on steep hills or longer journeys, the boost from an electric bike provides the assistance you need to complete your ride.
Mountain electric bikes: If you love to hit the dirt trail in your spare time, treat yourself to one of these bikes. Why? Although it's not suitable for casual rides with the kids, it's vital to do something for yourself every once in a while.
Best electric bikes for parents
Whether you're cruising to the park at the weekend with your kids or keeping up with the traffic on your way to the office, this e-bike is a safe bet. As well as featuring a loud horn and bright headlights, this bicycle has a top-notch brake system.
Review: "I bought this bike to reduce my car mileage and so far am very impressed. It arrived promptly as promised and took about half an hour to assemble with the only 'glitch' being that there were no instructions on how to fit the twist grip control wiring plug (it plugs inside the battery box). I've been out several times trying to outdo the battery with distance and so far am defeated. I managed to get it down to two bars after about 20 miles but there seemed plenty of power left."
Your youngest is off to nursery and you're back to work, and this unisex electric bike is fantastic for getting you back on the saddle. The aluminium frame design is chic and easy to manoeuvre, offers seven speeds and reaches a maximum speed of 25km/h.
Review: "The bike is wonderful. It has a beautiful glossy black design, and the saddle is comfortable to ride on. Regarding the comments I have read that it does not carry an automatic accelerator like motorcycles, it is an assistance bike and for my taste does not need such gadgets. I like how you can alter the gears - you must pedal, but the effort is minimal. If you don't want to pedal, buy yourself a motorcycle or a rider scooter."
www.decathlon.co.uk
Calling all parents that are passionate about cycling... This electric mountain bike will tick all of your boxes. It's powered by a 250W motor, you can ride for approximately three hours at a sporty pace and it offers four assistance modes. What more could you want?
Review: "My order was fulfilled quickly and all went according to plan. The bike was delivered on time. I booked a collection from the store and the bike was ready at the agreed collection time. I’m really enjoying the bike now and I’m delighted with my purchase."
www.halfords.com
Folding bikes are perfect if you need to hop on and off a bus or train to get to work. If you commute into a big city, one of these e-bikes can save you money that can be spent on days out with the kids or even essentials like school uniform.
Review: "I bought this bike a month ago on a bike to work scheme. From start to finish, the service was excellent, and the staff were very helpful. The bike itself is amazing. I'm not a fitness fanatic and got the bike for general use. Since having the bike, I'm addicted. The bike is simple to use, and the electric motor is fantastic. Easy to charge and fold. The power from the motor is more than sufficient for my use. It gives the power you require when you need it and make cycling so much more fun and practical. I'd recommend this bile to everyone. Truly amazing!!!"
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