I don't drive. I could never justify the expense of a car, despite needing one, at times (I was a drummer in a past life!).
I have always lived near public transport, but it is a time consuming and sometimes costly way to travel.
Enter the ebikes!
It took 4 months of internet searching for a secondhand ebike that was suitable and affordable as my first bike. The picture above shows the bike I purchased for approx $300US (black bike, at rear). It is a Leitner, a good trade off between price and quality. It costs almost nothing to charge, charging takes 6hrs, and it travels up to 25miles at 20miles an hour.
The orange bike in picture above is a Rayvolt, and considerably more expensive. It will travel 18miles at 20-30miles an hour, and higher power models are available in the US (I live in Australia, so my bikes must meet power restrictions). You can also upsize the battery to double capacity on this and many ebikes. This particular bike is easier on my shoulders and arms, as I have nerve damage ~ it is a semi-reclined, relaxed riding position. It charges in 2hrs, making it easy to take the charger and charge it at a pitstop along the way.
Solar chargers are available for this bike, too, which may appeal to DK readers hoping to break from petrochemical companies and coal or nuclear electric power generators. This bike also has regenerative braking ~ akin to hybrid cars ~ which only provides about 5% of battery recharging, but stops the bike very quickly. An app interface gives fine control over the motor and components, and provides a speedometer.
Ebikes are becoming a large industry with lots of options. Both these bikes have hub motors, and our household also has a mid-drive mountain bike for mountain-conquering activities. The mid-drives require pedaling to activate the motor, whereas a throttle can be fitted to the hub-drives. Our mid-drive will go up to 100miles at roughly 18mph, depending upon terrain and motor assistance level chosen.
I take my child to school on a rear pillion seat, riding partly on roads, partly on paths and trails. One of his teachers, watching us arrive amidst rain and at 5 degrees celsius (41f), remarked what resilience he is learning traveling to school in such a fashion. He enjoys it as much as I, we arrive smiling most of the time!
Ebikes are safer than bicycle as far as having acceleration power to get you out of trouble, and allowing faster speed and less stopping if you live in a less-safe area.
I feel a newfound sense of independence with my Ebikes, and have carried some ridiculously large items strapped to the sides of the racks on my so far 1500miles of travels. I often go riding just for the fun of it.... if your mobility allows, and the climate and distances you travel suit it, consider an Ebike as your next mode of transport.