A bicycle built for three – how e-bikes changed one family’s commute

A bicycle built for three – how e-bikes changed one family’s commute

Bike Auckland

Emma Coote got an electric cargo bike big enough to carry both kids, and it’s changed her Auckland family-commuting life. She shares her experience with us here… 

This morning was the first day I have driven to work in around 2 months. I arrived with battle fatigue! Tomorrow I am most definitely back on our bicycle made for 3.

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Uphill, no probs.

Being able to pedal the kids and myself to school and work, almost exclusively on bike tracks and without doing myself an injury, is life changing. They love it, I love it, the roads have one less car and we all arrive happy and invigorated.

We have a 4km commute to school along the northwestern bike track (loving that wisteria) before I do the last 3km down Grafton Gully (wheee) and through the Domain to work in Newmarket. Lots of hills, but made so easy with a bit of a boost from the battery. 

Since trialling and then buying the eZee Expedir cargo bike from the Electric Bicycle Hub, I have been amazed at the sheer number of biking commuters. My kids want to talk to them all! They’ve been rating the bikes that pass us then calling their verdicts at the disappearing backs. (Apologies if you’ve received a poor review! The scoring is based mostly on colour.)

I used to cycle-commute from Grey Lynn to Henderson on a regular basis before kids, and would know by sight most of the handful of cyclists I met. When I did the trip the other day I stopped counting the number of people heading into town when I got to 60, and I was probably only halfway there. And so many electric bikes – they have definitely opened up the cycling commute to a wider audience.

I feel really lucky to be able to leave my car at home and enjoy our expanding bike tracks with my family on a daily basis. Look forward to seeing all you other lucky devils out there!

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A view from the back seat!

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