Surly by name, city friendly by nature

According to a recent survey of 4,300 cities around the world, 80 per cent of urban areas do not comply with World Health Organisation air quality guideline levels. Worse still, particulate air pollution levels in many developing cities can be up to 15 times higher than WHO guideline levels, putting many at risk of long-term health problems and contributing to the 3.8 million premature deaths annually attributed to ambient air pollution.

Much faith is placed in a predicted wholesale switch to electric vehicles, but this will do nothing to address congested streets, road danger and bring environmental challenges of its own. This is especially frustrating as the bicycle offers a ready-to-go solution that is effectively environmentally benign.

An entirely standard £50 secondhand bike does a sterling job of carrying a person plus luggage, but as manufacturers see the market for cargo bicycles develop, there is a healthy competition for biggest and best. Described by its makers as the diesel-free 18-wheeler of the electric cargo bike world, the Surly Big Easy is seem expensive at $5,000, but it's more than up to the job of replacing the need for a small car. And don't forget that

As you would expect, with a load capacity of 90 kg, the Big Easy is designed to accommodate racks front and rear and to tow trailers. Ready to offer a helping hand with heavier loads is a Bosch Performance CX electric motor powered by a 500W power pack. Maximum range depends on a host of factors, but the bike is equipped to take an additional battery if needed.

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Ethical cycle insurance

On the face of it, one cycle insurance policy is much like another, but the devil is the detail. How much excess you will be charged is just one of the things that varies wildly between providers. Another is so-called ‘new-for-old’ replacement – many insurers use this term, but if your bicycle is more than a few years old, devalue it severely. This means you are left out of pocket when you come to replace it.

With ETA cycle insurance, however old the bike, if it’s stolen you get enough to buy a new model.

For over 29 years we have been providing this kind of straightforward, affordable bicycle insurance. Little wonder The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be ethical in Britain.

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