Cycling

On the right track

Gareth Ffowcs-Williams discusses why electric bikes are so well suited to North Wales…

Over the past two years electric bikes have really taken off and more and more people are realising the benefits an electrical

assisted bike can bring, but there are still many people who are unaware of their capabilities and limitations.

Firstly allow me to dispel the myth that they do all the work for you and are just for lazy people! All road legal e-bikes are pedal assist, which means they will help you pedal, but they won’t do the work for you. They have different levels of assistance which you can change while riding and which level you choose is based purely on how much help you want to get up the hills! Obviously, we have a lot of hills around us, and sometimes quite a bit of wind as well, and fundamentally this is why e-bikes are proving so popular: they are helping people get out and about and exercising in terrain and locations that are simply not accessible for many people without the assistance.

Electric bikes are definitely here to stay. They enable many of

us to get outside in the fresh air and go to beautiful places. The assistance means we are able to talk to the people we are with rather than panting at them. Getting out on a ride promotes the positive endorphins so we get a sense of achievement but still arrive home with enough energy to carry on with the rest of the day, rather than needing to collapse into a heap on the floor

and be carried to bed! When looking for an e-bike you need to make sure you get one that is the correct size, feels comfortable and is designed to do the sort of riding you want to do. There is no point getting a mountain bike if you plan to do all your riding on the road! Prices vary a lot depending on the parts on the bikes, the choice of motor and the size of the battery. All these differences can be a little overwhelming so seek advice when considering your options.

There are some things you need to watch out for. Manufacturers warranties usually last for two years and are only for the original purchaser, which is something you need to factor in if looking at bikes on the second hand market. A new battery or motor can be expensive. There are e-bike conversion kits available which will transform a non-electric bike into an e-bike by attaching a motor and battery to it. These can seem attractive as they are significantly cheaper than a purpose built

e-bike. We have seen some bikes with these on which don’t look too bad, but most look decidedly dodgy, as the systems are often fitted onto bikes which are not suitable or safe to take the

added weight and power that the motor gives.

There are many places, such as Beics Betws, which offer e-bikes for hire, so if you haven’t tried one yet, I strongly recommend you hire one for a day and see how good they are. I’m sure you wont be disappointed, but be warned, it can be addictive and you will have fewer excuses not to go out for a ride! n

Gareth Ffowcs-Williams is the owner of We Cycle in Llandudno Junction – the largest bicycle showroom in North Wales. www.wecycle.co.uk