Local eCargo bike user's experience

Raymond Gray is a self-employed carpenter working on new developments and fit outs around Colchester. 

What bike/s have you used?  

I use a German Riese & Muller 40 eCargo bike with a custom built storage box, made for me by a local engineering company. The ‘box’ is equivalent to a car boot which means I can carry everything I need and now rarely need to use my van. The bike is incredibly comfortable to ride, agile and smooth, with suspension on the seat post. It has a range of 25 to 95 miles depending on what e-assist mode you use.  

What do you use the eCargo bike for?  

I use my eCargo bike for everything from work to shopping.  
I carry all of my carpentry tools on the bike including routers, electric chop saws, planer and hand tools. The big advantage of the bike is that I am always able to park on-site, whereas my workmates who have cars and vans usually have to park somewhere off site and then carry their tools in. A recent example of this is working on the new fit out in Vision Express in the city centre.  

What benefits do you get from using the eCargo bike?  

From a financial savings point of view, using an e-cargo bike instead of my van, I am saving between £2,500 and £3,000 a year.  I am also feeling much fitter and as I mentioned above can park much more easily and can use alternative routes that cars and vans cannot use.  

Have you got any top tips for others who are interested in trying out an eCargo bike?  

I would encourage anyone to try them as they are much easier to use than you might think. Using an eCargo bike’s gears and range of electric assist modes correctly, makes them light and easy to manage so you do not even need to be particularly fit to use one. 

How many miles have you clocked up using the eCargo bike?  

1,484 miles in a year.

Contact Details:

Raymond Gray  
raycgray@gmail.com 
07971511909  

If you are interested in trying out an eCargo bike for your business or organization, Colchester City Council offers short-term loans of the bikes under the eCargo Bike Library, find further information on Colchester eCargo bike library.