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The majority of employees in Germany travel to and from their place of work by car. Only around one in ten commuters regularly use a bicycle. Even for short journeys of less than five kilometres, only one in four gets on a two-wheeler. The sales figures clearly show that these are now increasingly motorised. More than half of all bicycles sold are now e-bikes. The advantages seem obvious: electric bikes promise more speed with less effort and therefore a more relaxed journey (to work). So is the mobility revolution on the right track?
BIKE editor Jan Timmermann also cycles to work. However, the distance between his front door and the office is not a classic short distance for him. Only very few people would probably think of cycling the 31 kilometres there and back. However, his case exemplifies a dilemma in the commuting infrastructure. The fastest means of transport on the route is the car. Without traffic jams, Jan would be at the office in 25 minutes. However, in the south of Munich, where the 32-year-old lives, commuters have to be prepared for gridlocked traffic at walking pace from the city limits. The car journey usually takes 50 minutes - not to mention the ecological footprint. Public transport offers a tempting alternative. There are only 20 minutes travelling time between the relevant stops. However, regional rail transport is so unreliable that the 40 minutes from door to door can quickly turn into 60 or even 80. A game of chance that can only be played once an hour and costs 10.20 euros per single journey. That leaves the bicycle.
A cog in the system
My colleague seems puzzled: "Since when are you interested in e-bikes?" Nevertheless, he pushes a light blue bike with an unmistakable electric motor at my feet. There are, of course, reasons for my previously reserved interest in this type of bike. It takes me around an hour and ten minutes to cycle the 31 kilometres to work without any electric tailwind. On my high-powered marathon mountain bike, I therefore only need slightly longer than by car or train. Today I screw the titanium axles of my €300 clipless pedals into an e-bike for the first time and roll out of the yard. I like the bike, it has a sporty look with narrow tyres and relatively light thanks to the light motor and small battery. With firm pedalling, I steer the bike onto the gently ascending cycle path. But what is this? Instead of overtaking the other cycle commuters as usual, I have to join the queue between dads on huge electric cargo bikes and elderly ladies on misappropriated e-mountain bikes. In Germany, all e-bikes are limited to 25 kilometres per hour.
My problem is of course a very specific one. I am well aware of that. I'm in top shape, well-trained and cycle many thousands of kilometres every year. Cycling 62 kilometres a day is a good workout for me. What I've had to do about twice a week so far due to home office regulations will become much more frequent in the future. Just like in many other companies across Germany at the moment, my employer has decided that I will soon have to provide my services at the urban office location every day again. This puts me in a predicament in which I am not alone. The rents within a short distance of the office are among the highest in Europe. But the prospect of commuting over 300 kilometres by bike every week is also unsatisfactory. I'd much rather do my cycling on trails and in beautiful mountain landscapes.
In search of relaxation
Right now, however, I'm rolling through the grey suburbs in stark contrast, detaching myself from the pearl necklace of fellow athletes and shifting up a gear. It doesn't make me any faster. Confused, I scroll through the display of my electric car and realise that the motor has gone into standby mode. The info screen shows 27.2 km/h. I consciously try to reduce my pedalling power. After all, that's the point of my little experiment: if I want to commute by bike as often as possible without burning out in the medium term, I can't do it at full throttle every time. I expect less physical strain, less stress and less sweat from the electric assist motor. However, I have obviously underestimated how rarely the motor provides any assistance at all on my route. After all, there are 180 metres of altitude to conquer, but the route is almost uninterruptedly straight ahead. Acceleration phases are rare.
I find it difficult to lower my body tension enough to stay below the 25 km/h limit. I feel like I'm just letting my legs drop and still rolling along on the flat without motor assistance. The only way to increase my commuting speed would probably be an S-pedelec. These powerful e-bikes run at speeds of up to 45 km/h and are classed as mopeds in Germany, which require a licence plate, registration and insurance. In Bavaria, S-pedelecs may not be used on cycle paths or forest tracks, but only on the road. On the same route on which I sometimes ride at 35 km/h without an e-drive, I would be liable to prosecution with an S-pedelec. Neither the diversions nor the potential for conflict with motorists seems attractive to me. So I cycle along the railway tracks towards dinner with the electric motor throttled back. The bike outfit on my body is worth the equivalent of a year's season ticket for Germany. I'm bored.
Slowly, but surely
Finally home, the data from the on-board computer confirms my impression. Journey time: 1h 14min; average speed: 25.4 km/h. Despite continuous turbo mode, I only used 20% of the capacity of the small 400 Wh battery. In other words, the electronic system was only able to utilise a fifth of its potential. The motor hardly did me any good. At best, the unit manages to compensate for the extra nine kilos of weight compared to my mountain bike. As a concession to the e-bike, I have to recognise that this extra weight at least includes mudguards, a lighting system and a pannier rack. But the crucial question is: did commuting on the e-bike make me feel less stressed? Yes, it has. I actually felt slightly more rested and sweated less. However, it also took me a little longer. I would probably have achieved the same effect if I had simply ridden more slowly on an analogue bike. Disappointed, I transfer my race pedals back to my organic bike and summarise: the e-bike is not my personal answer to the mobility revolution.
E-bikes make the journey to work much more comfortable for many commuters. However, when it comes to longer but mostly flat distances, fit riders are often better off with a conventional bike. As a sporty bike freak, e-motors offer me no advantage on flat terrain. I'd rather save the money and invest it in some nice titanium bolts. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
Jan Timmermann
Editor
