E-bikes are the Cinderella of the EV world

If you’ve ever watched an e-bike newbie return from their first ride, particularly someone who hasn’t used bikes of any description for a while, their joyous reaction will tell you all you need to know about this tech’s potential to change the world

As countries around the globe scratch their heads over how to provide nationwide charging infrastructure for electric cars ahead of bans on the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles, e-bikes offer an immediate and cost-effective alternative. Meanwhile, like a Cinderella of the EV world, e-bikes wait in the wings.

Here in the UK, where e-bikes are the only type of EV to not benefit from government subsidies, legislators wilfully ignore the fact that bicycle batteries are small enough to be removed and charged from any household electricity supply.

Some countries get it. The Netherlands now has five million e-bikes representing a market value of almost €10 billion. Broken down by e-bike category, this eye-watering sum comprises electric city bikes (75%), hybrid bicycles (17%), speed ​​pedelecs ( ebikes that can travel up to 30mph - 2%), e-cargo bikes (2%), mountain bikes (2%), folders (1%) and trikes (1%). Conditions for all every type of cycle are more favourable in The Netherlands, but the stats demonstrate there's a style of e-bike to suit almost everyone. And with 25 per cent of car trips are under 1 mile, and 71% under 5 miles, the potential market for e-bikes here in the UK is huge.

The wait for e-bikes to be recognised might be frustrating - after all, if  given even half the investment allocated to electric cars, they could transform our towns and cities overnight - but if it's any consolation, the story ends well for Cinderella.

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Win your own e-bike

To celebrate our 33rd birthday, we’re offering everyone who requests a quote for ETA cycle insurance the chance to win a RadRunner 2 e-bike and accessories worth £2,000.

The RadRunner 2 e-bike is more than just an e bike – it’s a work horse. A powerful electric motor, plush saddle and mudguards come as standard, but we’ve opted for an upgraded headlight, ‘passenger package’ and robust front luggage rack to make the bike as versatile as possible. The result is an e-bike that’ll be as happy hauling cargo as ferrying the kids to school.

Insurance for e-bikes

We cover all road-legal electric bicycles as standard. If the output of your electric bicycle does not exceed 250 W/15.5 mph, we’ll cover it under our cycle insurance at no additional cost.

We also include Cycle Rescue as standard. If your ebike develops a mechanical fault, you can call on our breakdown team 24/7.

Every cycle insurance policy of ours includes the following as standard:

• Theft, accidental damage & vandalism
• E bike battery theft cover
• Cycle Rescue (breakdown cover for your electric bicycle and you)
• No devaluation of your bike over time
• £2m third party PLUS £20,000 personal accident cover
• Shed and garage storage
• Low standard excess of 5% (£50 minimum)

Read a full list of everything we include as standard.

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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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