Is an Ebike Worth it for Such Short Commutes?

[therebquiche]

Now that I'm living sans car and walking to work everyday, I keep going back and forth on whether I should buy a bike or get an ebike. Currently my work, gym, and grocery store are all within a 2 mile radius of home, so the trip is already short. I live in Chicago near the lakefront where the terrain is flat and easily bikable. I just don't know if getting an ebike would be worth it if my day-to-day travels will likely be under 5 miles. I mostly feel compelled to get an ebike because if I don't have a car, I would like to have something slightly speedier than a regular bike at my disposal just in case. Also it just sounds like a really good time.

I have an appointment with my local bike shop today to look at a few Dutch style bikes, but I'm still feeling indecisive.
Love this community by the way! I've been lurking a little while, and I'm so grateful for all the useful info. here.

 

[dodgeman]

Me thinking out loud, do you have the time and the inclination to keep walking? Even taking you time on an e bike you will be traveling 3 times faster on a bike. Also do you have the ability to store it inside and secure it when you stop somewhere?

 

[therebquiche]

Me thinking out loud, do you have the time and the inclination to keep walking? Even taking you time on an e bike you will be traveling 3 times faster on a bike. Also do you have the ability to store it inside and secure it when you stop somewhere?

I have the time, though I wouldn't mind sparing it. I would bring my bike inside my apartment with me at home, and the bike rack at work is outside, but it is covered and in close eyeline of the front reception.

 

[fooferdoggie]

something liek a stand up scooter may be a easier choice since don't need range.

 

[AHicks]

2 thoughts here. First would be regarding security. Would that be an issue for you?

Second is what are you doing when you aren't working? If you're having a tough time justifying an e-bike for just your commute, what about riding for exercise/the hell of it when you aren't working? Nearby placed to ride? Maybe local bike paths?

 

[m@Robertson]

@therebquiche : I think you have already figured this out. The ebike is not necessary but it is a more versatile player than shoe leather, or an old-school analog bike. What happens, for example when you have a dinner date and oops you're late leaving work? You need to haul ass home and change. Maybe you aren't going to have time for a shower. With an ebike this is a non issue. Not so with the alternatives.

The ebike is going to give you more options when the chips are down. if you want to work out hard, fine dial down the assist. If you need to get somewhere and you are not guilt-ridden about taking it easy in favor of getting the job done: Hit the throttle and go.

 

[Marci jo]

The heck with being practical.
Get one, they’re so darn fun!

 

[Art Deco]

2 thoughts here. First would be regarding security. Would that be an issue for you?

Second is what are you doing when you aren't working? If you're having a tough time justifying an e-bike for just your commute, what about riding for exercise/the hell of it when you aren't working? Nearby placed to ride? Maybe local bike paths?

Alongside riding for fun/exercise , as @AHicks mentioned, my wife and I will ride the eBikes, but not the regular bikes for the same short distances.

 

[rich c]

I haven't seen anyone that has ridden in Chicago giving references. When riding in downtown Chicago, you spend half your time at stop lights. Even the trail on the lakefront has plenty of slow places and slow because of the traffic. When I ride in Peoria, nearly all my rides average 16-17mph. When I rode in Chicago with our son, more like 12-14mph averages, and that was on the weekends. So I strongly suggest you get a used traditional road bike that won't draw attention. First to save money and maybe get to work 5 minutes latter than en eBike, and you will have to worry less about security and salt in the winters. Riding Chicago is a different ballgame.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

My situation is untypical and I don't want to elaborate on that. Suffice to say, I can get groceries 1.4 miles away the nearest. My lightweight Vado SL stays in my flat. At any occasion I need to go out, I just take the e-bike in my hand, carry it downstairs and just ride out. Situations in which I need to drive my car are very rare. If that were the heavy (full power) Vado 5.0 I also own, I would hesitate.

It is because that e-bike is so lightweight, and it is so much fun riding it disregarding the season and weather. (I am physically unable to ride a traditional bike, and can hardly walk).

Having said the above, I just need to mention a 100 km riding distance on that e-bike is pretty perfect for me. I would never believe that two and half years ago!

 

[6zfshdb]

Another consideration is the weather. You can walk in the rain with a raincoat & umbrella but not so on a bike. Protective gear is a must for riding in inclement weather. The same is true with snow & ice. Walking on slippery surfaces is safe enough with proper footwear but it's treacherous with a bike.

Of course you can always walk when the weather is bad and ride when it's nice out. E-biking is a real blast and like many others here, you'll likely become addicted! E-biking is practical for commuting some of the time but 100% fun all the time!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The same is true with snow & ice. Walking on slippery surfaces is safe enough with proper footwear but it's treacherous with a bike.

Not always and not necessarily.
I can safely ride in winter conditions (ice) on my studded tyres. At the same time, an attempt to walk in winter hiking boots ends up with a fall. (I still own a studded traction device for shoes but forgot where I keep it).

 

[Art Deco]

Another consideration is the weather. You can walk in the rain with a raincoat & umbrella but not so on a bike. Protective gear is a must for riding in inclement weather. The same is true with snow & ice. Walking on slippery surfaces is safe enough with proper footwear but it's treacherous with a bike.

Of course you can always walk when the weather is bad and ride when it's nice out. E-biking is a real blast and like many others here, you'll likely become addicted! E-biking is practical for commuting some of the time but 100% fun all the time!

And Chicago gets some serious weather too.

 

[dodgeman]

With a bike, be it an e bike or regular bike, you can always leave it parked and walk on bad weather days and you are no worse off than you are now. I grew up in the far west suburbs of Chicago and know what the weather can be like. There will probably be several days you can’t ride.

Buying a regular bike and trying it for a few weeks might be a good way to see if an e bike is in your future.

 

[sc00ter]

You could test the waters with something like a Jetson micro-ebike for $400. Target had them on sale. Or get a stand-up escooter like foofer mentioned. Get crazy and get a Onewheel. They look so fun but I'm old and fragile.

 

[fooferdoggie]

You could test the waters with something like a Jetson micro-ebike for $400. Target had them on sale. Or get a stand-up escooter like foofer mentioned. Get crazy and get a Onewheel. They look so fun but I'm old and fragile.

ya I used mine to go to close stores and the movies. but the pandemic killed it after sitting so long. but the time you save not having to deal with locking a bike and maintenance is a lot.

 

[ruffruff]

2 thoughts here. First would be regarding security. Would that be an issue for you?

Second is what are you doing when you aren't working? If you're having a tough time justifying an e-bike for just your commute, what about riding for exercise/the hell of it when you aren't working? Nearby placed to ride? Maybe local bike paths?

This is what I was thinking, why limit it to just the commute. Joy ride it on the weekends!

 

[ruffruff]

Are there any ebike rental stations? Last time i was in Chicago those hourly rental stands were everywhere. Do they have any electrics?
Try one out if they do...but be careful, you'll want one after you ride one.

 

[mschwett]

Now that I'm living sans car and walking to work everyday, I keep going back and forth on whether I should buy a bike or get an ebike. Currently my work, gym, and grocery store are all within a 2 mile radius of home, so the trip is already short. I live in Chicago near the lakefront where the terrain is flat and easily bikable. I just don't know if getting an ebike would be worth it if my day-to-day travels will likely be under 5 miles. I mostly feel compelled to get an ebike because if I don't have a car, I would like to have something slightly speedier than a regular bike at my disposal just in case. Also it just sounds like a really good time.

I have an appointment with my local bike shop today to look at a few Dutch style bikes, but I'm still feeling indecisive.
Love this community by the way! I've been lurking a little while, and I'm so grateful for all the useful info. here.

i live, work, shop, take kids to school, etc all within probably a 1.5 mile radius, depending on where you put the circle. walking is great, but a bit slow, so i end up riding almost everywhere.

i live on a block with 20% grades (san francisco) so an eBike is a must, especially when lugging a kid or something else heavy. if you truly only deal with flat terrain i’d strongly suggest you get a nice but inconspicuous hybrid or dutch bike, non electric, and see how much you enjoy riding it. if you find yourself going further, more often, uphill or into the wind, then you’ll probably enjoy adding some boost to the mix!

 

[sc00ter]

I just gave my old RadRunner 1 to a friend who's only transportation is a bicycle. He's never ridden a ebike before but took to the 'Runner in about an hour. The 'Runner will allow him to expand his job options by giving him a wider area to cover, plus he just turned 61 and he really just needs a hand up at this point in his life. A ebike really gives you the freedom to explore a wider area and you won't have to rely on ride share or the city bus, and you can pedal and get exercise as well if you want.