Electric bikes make for extremely civilised cycles

Zach Shiefflen used to sell Vespa scooters in New York for a living, but a desire to sell a more environmentally form of urban transport lead him to launch Civilized Cycles.

Starting with a blank piece of paper, Zach set himself the following brief: "It had to be social (capable of carrying an adult pillion), because we don't live and travel alone. It had to be versatile because I wanted it to be useful everywhere. It had to be enduring since a product you use forever is the most sustainable and it had to be connected - in a smartphone world, the opportunities to add value through apps would only grow."

The result is the Model One - an exciting new interpretation of the electric bicycle that borrows from the Vespa scooter a step-through frame and distinctive bulbous flanks, which in this case house the battery and panniers expandable to 80 litres. Self-levelling suspension allows an adult passenger to be carried in comfort. Read the fascinating story of the bike's development at civilizedcycles.com/our-story/

Amongst all the talk of a move to electric vehicles, electric bicycles are almost always overlooked. And yet, in terms of price, range and usability the bicycle is the most practical option for those who want the benefits of an electric vehicle today. Forget the costly infrastructure required by electric cars, the batteries that power bicycles are highly portable and light enough to be carried into a house to be re-charged. Furthermore, the electrically-assisted bicycle is the ultimate hybrid; if the battery runs flat, the rider can switch to leg power in an instant.

Electric bicycles are becoming evermore popular in Europe, but here in Britain there remain those who scoff at the idea. This is unfortunate as they provide a practicable alternative to the car for many commuters as well as helping to tackle the climate emergency and local air pollution. Electric bicycles are at their most efficient when the rider works in tandem with the motor; electrically-assisted bikes can make a 30-mile round-trip commute a realistic option for even a novice cyclist. They also make cycling more accessible for the elderly or disabled.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

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