Electric man scooters
Discussion
I’m in the process of landing myself a new job in Westminster. I currently commute into Kings Cross and whilst I like a good walk, I think it will be too far. Also, I hate the tube so I’m looking at alternatives. The obvious choice is a fold up bike but I was wondering if anyone uses the electric scooters I see whizzing around? They seem to shift and look like good fun. Good idea or rubbish ?
Chainsaw Rebuild said:
You could get an electric push bike, they don't need insurance, VED etc. Or a normal pushbike come to that.
Good advice. Or maybe a skateboard with a chainsaw engine. Imagine starting it up at the station and the cluds of blue smoke! Seriously London is a sod to get across. I’ve always quietly ridiculed the fold up bicycle warriors and now I’m at risk of becoming one of them.
In the quieter moments I like to peruse Total Women's Cycling, mostly for the pictures. Here they have a list of electric bikes:
https://totalwomenscycling.com/commuting/urban-bik...
I have one (not in the list), from experience I would suggest:
1/ Get one with bigger wheels, this will be more stable on any "high speed" down hill sections and better on crappy road surfaces.
2/ The main benefit is on the open road, you will ideally still need to pedal away from traffic lights so benefit in London may be minimal.
3/ Somewhere safe to park it, the batteries are expensive and on mine quite easily detachable.
4/ Travelling trousers depending on work dress code, saddles wear out crotches and chains eat trouser legs.
For me the ultimate would be a Plisolex. The main issue I see is that some eco-sort who has lost the capacity for wonder would complain about taking the petrol part on the train.
Licencing seems to be a grey area, you may be allowed based on grandfathers rights or depending on age.
https://totalwomenscycling.com/commuting/urban-bik...
I have one (not in the list), from experience I would suggest:
1/ Get one with bigger wheels, this will be more stable on any "high speed" down hill sections and better on crappy road surfaces.
2/ The main benefit is on the open road, you will ideally still need to pedal away from traffic lights so benefit in London may be minimal.
3/ Somewhere safe to park it, the batteries are expensive and on mine quite easily detachable.
4/ Travelling trousers depending on work dress code, saddles wear out crotches and chains eat trouser legs.
For me the ultimate would be a Plisolex. The main issue I see is that some eco-sort who has lost the capacity for wonder would complain about taking the petrol part on the train.
Licencing seems to be a grey area, you may be allowed based on grandfathers rights or depending on age.
OP You'd be better off with a fold up bike - the premium brand have just released an electric one for a frankly stupid price 
As it is the billy basic pedal yourself brompton won't get you much change from £1k. I'm up on this as I have friends who arn't (motor)bikers/scooterists who own them. I've seen the electric one in their shop near covent garden.
I'll be sticking to proper engine powered bikes for now thanks.
As it is the billy basic pedal yourself brompton won't get you much change from £1k. I'm up on this as I have friends who arn't (motor)bikers/scooterists who own them. I've seen the electric one in their shop near covent garden.I'll be sticking to proper engine powered bikes for now thanks.
Or better still, the hire bikes. Register for a key (either PAYG or a £90/year subscription) and you can just walk up to any of the docks, key in the slot and pull the bike out. No faffing with cards and codes. I have a Brompton and don't use it much any more as the hire bikes are just far more convenient, plus you avoid being the bellend on a packed commuter train taking up space with their folding bike.
The most obvious ones around major stations can get very busy but there's always alternatives within a minute or two's walk that have bikes or spaces if the obvious ones are cleared out.
The most obvious ones around major stations can get very busy but there's always alternatives within a minute or two's walk that have bikes or spaces if the obvious ones are cleared out.
I've seen someone near work on a few times on what I think must be a BMW C Evolution, 60 mile range at 60mph. But I guess that's not quite what you mean 
I've seen bloke zooming down the cycle path on one of those electric monowheel things that look like fun too.
The problem in the UK though is that they're classed as mopeds and legally need a licence plate, CBT, insurance etc and can't be ridden on pavements. The exception, other than the pavement bit, is electric assisted bicycles which can do up to 15mph with electrical input.
I've seen bloke zooming down the cycle path on one of those electric monowheel things that look like fun too.
The problem in the UK though is that they're classed as mopeds and legally need a licence plate, CBT, insurance etc and can't be ridden on pavements. The exception, other than the pavement bit, is electric assisted bicycles which can do up to 15mph with electrical input.
sjtscott said:
OP You'd be better off with a fold up bike - the premium brand have just released an electric one for a frankly stupid price As it is the billy basic pedal yourself brompton won't get you much change from £1k. I'm up on this as I have friends who arn't (motor)bikers/scooterists who own them. I've seen the electric one in their shop near covent garden.
I'll be sticking to proper engine powered bikes for now thanks.
Thanks, all good points. I'm not spending a grand on a Brompton on general principle. I too am a motorcyclist and I could just ride my ZZR the 55 miles each way although I suspect the journey would get tiresome. Ideally I'd take it on the train and ride it at the other end but I suspect other commuters would complain. As it is the billy basic pedal yourself brompton won't get you much change from £1k. I'm up on this as I have friends who arn't (motor)bikers/scooterists who own them. I've seen the electric one in their shop near covent garden.I'll be sticking to proper engine powered bikes for now thanks.
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