One in Ten think E-Bikes can't be ridden in the rain

- E-BIKE MYTHS HOLDING BACK SALES -

TODAY a report from Halfords uncovers some of the strangest myths surrounding e-bikes, one of the fastest growing and enjoyable trends in transport. 30% of those polled would consider buying an e-bike in the future, rising to 41% amongst 18-24 year olds. But some are still reluctant, with a number of unfounded myths still holding many back from buying an electric bike.

More than 30% of those polled are considering buying an e-bike in the near-future, with 19% claiming they would consider switching to one instead of using public transport. Almost half of those polled (46%) have said they would ride further with an electric bike, than if using a traditional bike.  

THE 10 BIGGEST E-BIKE MYTHS

    1. Isn’t it cheating?

    65% didn’t know that you still have to pedal when riding an e-bike.

    2. Don’t you need insurance?

    20% think insurance is required to ride an e-bike but you don’t require any insurance in England, Wales or Scotland.

    3. E-bike riders are subject to road tax

    43% were unsure that e-bike riders have to pay road tax. E-bikes are not subject to road tax.

    4. They can only be recharged at charging points

    Some 37% would be put off buying one because they think they need a charging point. In fact nearly all e-bike batteries use a standard mains charger.

    5. E-bikes can’t be ridden in the rain

    9% think e-bikes can’t be ridden in the rain. E-bikes are weatherproof and have been through rigorous safety testing.

    6. E-bikes can be hacked

    6%  think that e-bikes are vulnerable to malicious hackers but luckily that’s not possible.

    7. They get easily confused

    11% said they would be worried their bike would get confused in an unexpected situation. 

    8. E-bikes are too expensive

    36% think they are too expensive, but models at Halfords start at £398 and many are now available on the Cycle To Work scheme.

    9. Little control

    15% said they would be scared that they would not have full control over their bike but they work in almost exactly the same way as a standard bike does.

    10. E-bikes use lots of electricity

    19% think their electricity bill would increase significantly, but e-bikes are charged through the mains and cost the normal rate of electricity.

 

Darren Smith, Halfords’ e-bikes expert says: “There are thousands of e-bikes on the roads, cycling paths and bridleways across the UK, but our research shows there is still a huge amount of confusion about them. Switching from other forms of transport to an e-bike will mean greater benefits to users – not only are they able to cycle further without exerting as much energy, they’ll also reduce the impact on the environment.

“The myths surrounding e-bikes could impact on a decision to purchase one. Tackling air pollution and emissions are key issues on the Government’s agenda and we need to tackle these misconceptions and help people embrace the move to electric transport.”

Sales of e-bikes in the UK are rising. 11% of total bike sales across the Halfords Group las year were from electric models and the cycling retailer’s sales of e-bikes have grown by 47% over the last year.