A family with a "cheap ebike" says a simple distance-based rule has shifted many of its short trips away from the car.
In a normal week, their rule of using the bike for any trip under three miles keeps about 31 miles off the family's car, largely from daycare trips and small errands.
Here's what to know
Writing in a Reddit thread on r/ebikes, the original poster explained the impact of their rule. They said those bike trips add up to about 6 miles a week for groceries and other quick stops, plus 25 miles from daycare drop-offs and pickups.
They calculated that skipping those car trips saves about $11-$22 each week once fuel and maintenance are included, while a week's worth of e-bike charging costs "maybe 30 cents."
"Sure, saving $11 a week isn't going to make us rich," the original poster wrote. "But that's two iced lattes or a good bag of coffee beans every month, just from driving less and getting some fresh air."
More background
Other commenters described benefits that went beyond one family's budget.
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One rider said their own standard is to avoid driving whenever they can, using an e-bike for a 7-mile-each-way commute that takes about half an hour.
"My 'rule' is not to drive when possible," they added. "It makes me feel good to not pollute, move at least a bit and save money."
Another regular bike commuter shared that, despite an 8-mile trip each way taking longer than driving, "there is no stress and I get a little exercise and plenty of fresh air."
Separately, one commenter contrasted that with time spent in a car.
"I'm also just much happier on my bike," they revealed. "In my car I get so angry and frustrated by drivers and traffic."
Some replies focused on car ownership costs and vehicle strain as much as gas savings. One person who uses only an e-bike wrote, "No car note, no insurance, no registration, no gas, no oil changes, no breakdowns, etc." Another pointed out that removing short drives also cuts back on "the most damaging kind of mileage" for an internal-combustion engine.
What can be done?
One commenter shared a larger-scale version of the same idea, saying their e-bike had replaced about 1,364 miles of driving since May 24 as a quick, inexpensive way to get around the city. Using a 13 mpg city estimate for a 4Runner, they figured that translated to about $421 not spent on gas, along with another $53 saved on parking.
Commenters also traded advice on extending riding into colder, wetter months.
One said improved winter gear let them lower their morning temperature cutoff from 50 F to 45 F, while another recommended a waterproof jacket and pants, gaiters, clear safety glasses, a neck buff, lights, fenders, waterproofed wiring, and bar mitts.
Where can I learn more?
Cost is a big part of the discussion around swapping in an e-bike, and commuters can also save a big chunk by electrifying a vehicle for longer trips.
• In the Bay Area, one EV owner paid 7.9 times less per mile than gas.
• In a Reddit poll, many EV owners said it's so cheap that switching felt obvious.
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