Which electric car to buy?

[flying banana]

A growing number of people are making their final journey by bike.

Yes. They are getting run over

 

[flying banana]

Tradesmen used to ride bikes.

Where's his screwdrivers?

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Where's his screwdrivers?

You don't want to know

 

[soulstyledevon]

Where's his screwdrivers?

Under the hat, silly…

 

[flying banana]

Under the hat, silly…

Where's the hammer and big mover?

 

[66tim99]

Until you get knocked off, which is common in London.

It’s not now, it’s changed a lot in 30 years.
In 24 years of commuting on a bike into central London, including in the early days with just me at the front of a line of revving engines, I’ve never been knocked off, and never seen someone get knocked off. I have seen idiots riding like idiots mind, and sometimes wished they would get knocked off. Especially the ones on illegal battery powered bikes doing 25mph down the pavement.
Much less traffic now, more segregated cycle lanes, low traffic neighbourhoods and advanced stop lines/signals and cycling is, honestly a joy. Unless it’s raining I love pootling through the streets, nicking through places you can’t drive, finding new ways.
TfL’s app is helpful to find fast, moderate and easy routes (last one is as traffic-free as possible)
London is now a brilliant cycling city. Birmingham next!

 

[subthree]

Was the cortege on bikes as well???

A growing number of people are making their final journey by bike.

 

[soulstyledevon]

It’s not now, it’s changed a lot in 30 years.
In 24 years of commuting on a bike into central London, including in the early days with just me at the front of a line of revving engines, I’ve never been knocked off, and never seen someone get knocked off. I have seen idiots riding like idiots mind, and sometimes wished they would get knocked off. Especially the ones on illegal battery powered bikes doing 25mph down the pavement.
Much less traffic now, more segregated cycle lanes, low traffic neighbourhoods and advanced stop lines/signals and cycling is, honestly a joy. Unless it’s raining I love pootling through the streets, nicking through places you can’t drive, finding new ways.
TfL’s app is helpful to find fast, moderate and easy routes (last one is as traffic-free as possible)
London is now a brilliant cycling city. Birmingham next!
View attachment 116832

Last week I drove from Streatham to the A40 approx 10 miles through central London and it took me just over 2hrs. I could’ve cycled that distance in about 45minutes.

 

[Kayleigh]

All you need to do to make is less likely to have your bike stolen in London is to have a crap looking bike and a better lock than the bike you lock next to.

45 years of cycling in London (and locking on the street) I have never had a bike stolen (one bike pump stolen and one saddle - that was a painful ride home).

Likewise. Many years cycling 25 miles a day to work and back in the City with my bike left outside at public bike racks and I’ve not had anything stolen. I do take precautions. I use a good D lock and quality wheel locks. Seatpost and stem Allen bolts are araldited to help prevent theft.
I also feel safer cycling in London than on main country roads with cycle lanes/bus lanes and slower traffic. Not had an accident yet.

 

[Kayleigh]

Tradesmen used to ride bikes.

Some still do. My local painter and decorator doesn’t drive and uses a bike.

 

[JollyGoodShow]

Likewise. Many years cycling 25 miles a day to work and back in the City with my bike left outside at public bike racks and I’ve not had anything stolen. I do take precautions. I use a good D lock and quality wheel locks. Seatpost and stem Allen bolts are araldited to help prevent theft.
I also feel safer cycling in London than on main country roads with cycle lanes/bus lanes and slower traffic. Not had an accident yet.

This is my experience too. Commuting into London by train, keeping a bike at Paddington with two secure locks. Someone nicked the bag I got to carry one of my locks, nothing else.

 

[JollyGoodShow]

This is my experience too. Commuting into London by train, keeping a bike at Paddington with two secure locks. Someone nicked the bag I got to carry one of my locks, nothing else.

And it’s spot on that the cycle super highways have transformed London cycling. I cycle 5 miles to the South Bank and nearly all of it is traffic free. It’s the other cyclists I worry about!

 

[Kayleigh]

And it’s spot on that the cycle super highways have transformed London cycling. I cycle 5 miles to the South Bank and nearly all of it is traffic free. It’s the other cyclists I worry about!

I was walking on a Pelican crossing the other day when a masked Just Eat rider had to slam on the brakes of his high speed electric bike to avoid hitting me as he ignored the red light. He then proceeded to swear at me for slowing him down, so yes, I too worry about other cyclists… especially the ones that don’t need to pedal but still travel at 30mph!

 

[Azteccamper]

I was walking on a Pelican crossing the other day when a masked Just Eat rider had to slam on the brakes of his high speed electric bike to avoid hitting me as he ignored the red light. He then proceeded to swear at me for slowing him down, so yes, I too worry about other cyclists… especially the ones that don’t need to pedal but still travel at 30mph!

Tbh the 30mph non-peddling cyclists, often wearing black hoodie and black scarf covering from eyes down are becoming a menace everywhere. There’s 3 in my village who swear they’re part of gangland New York!

 

[JollyGoodShow]

I was walking on a Pelican crossing the other day when a masked Just Eat rider had to slam on the brakes of his high speed electric bike to avoid hitting me as he ignored the red light. He then proceeded to swear at me for slowing him down, so yes, I too worry about other cyclists… especially the ones that don’t need to pedal but still travel at 30mph!

I do feel we (cyclists) need a clearer code of conduct. Pedestrians first, even when they’re gormless tourists walking in the cycle lane looking at their phones; respect for other cyclists.

In the Netherlands, if you break the rules, everyone stops and tells you off. I got told off multiple times for not using a cycle path or otherwise transgressing; and when people heard my accent they were more understanding and explained what I’d done wrong. It’s a different culture. We cyclists should behave better and self-police more.

If I am reincarnated, I think I’d like to be Dutch. Not sure I’d go with Anglo-Welsh again. Or maybe Belgian, better beer. But I hate those cobbles.

 

[soulstyledevon]

I do feel we (cyclists) need a clearer code of conduct. Pedestrians first, even when they’re gormless tourists walking in the cycle lane looking at their phones; respect for other cyclists.

In the Netherlands, if you break the rules, everyone stops and tells you off. I got told off multiple times for not using a cycle path or otherwise transgressing; and when people heard my accent they were more understanding and explained what I’d done wrong. It’s a different culture. We cyclists should behave better and self-police more.

If I am reincarnated, I think I’d like to be Dutch. Not sure I’d go with Anglo-Welsh again. Or maybe Belgian, better beer. But I hate those cobbles.

We’ve been returning to Holland every year for the last 7 years. Just because we love the safe cycle infrastructure.
I’m very envious about what they have…

 

[Czmitche]

To get the thread back on track I think the best value EV you can buy at the moment is a second hand Tesla model 3 long range. You can pickup a refresh 2021 car ( made in China not US) for £30k+ with only 30,000 miles. The lack of a combustion engine and gearbox means thatmost of the concerns about buying a 2nd hand car are just not there— clutch, timing belt, cambelt, water pump, complete service record etc. This model has a real world range of 250 + miles, 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, fast charging and access to Tesla supercharger network; over the air software updates, all the toys and is great to drive - a bargain.

 

[Czmitche]

To get the thread back on track I think the best value EV you can buy at the moment is a second hand Tesla model 3 long range. You can pickup a refresh 2021 car ( made in China not US) for £30k+ with only 30,000 miles. The lack of a combustion engine and gearbox means thatmost of the concerns about buying a 2nd hand car are just not there— clutch, timing belt, cambelt, water pump, complete service record etc. This model has a real world range of 250 + miles, 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, fast charging and access to Tesla supercharger network; over the air software updates, all the toys and is great to drive - a bargain.

Failing that for just a bit more money the Volvo EX30 is also very good value

 

[Boomer]

To get the thread back on track I think the best value EV you can buy at the moment is a second hand Tesla model 3 long range. You can pickup a refresh 2021 car ( made in China not US) for £30k+ with only 30,000 miles. The lack of a combustion engine and gearbox means thatmost of the concerns about buying a 2nd hand car are just not there— clutch, timing belt, cambelt, water pump, complete service record etc. This model has a real world range of 250 + miles, 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, fast charging and access to Tesla supercharger network; over the air software updates, all the toys and is great to drive - a bargain.

Agree with this. I think there are better cars available, and better EVs than the Tesla. But if you want an EV and you regularly need to charge away from home, it's hard not to see past the supercharging network both in terms of availability and cost. I'm not sure how other charging points/companies can charge significantly more for a poorer service in terms of reliability, accessibility and charging speed. We've got our first EV arriving next week (Model Y) and the network is the primary reason.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

 

[Amarillo]

Yes. They are getting run over

Cycling in London has quadrupled in the last 25 years. In that same period fatalities have stayed more or less static, making London four times safer for cycling than a quarter of a century ago.

It is often the quickest way to get around London too.

 

[Amarillo]

Was the cortege on bikes as well???

My friend Barry Mason was taken to the crematorium in a wicker coffin, towed by his son and daughter riding a tandem. His cortège was of cyclists.

 

[Amarillo]

We’ve been returning to Holland every year for the last 7 years. Just because we love the safe cycle infrastructure.
I’m very envious about what they have…

To be road legal, e-bikes have to be restricted to 15.5mph, the electric assistance only work when being pedalled and the rider 14 years or older.

Electric bikes: licensing, tax and insurance

Electric bikes meeting the EAPC regulations can be ridden on the road without being taxed, licensed or insured

www.gov.uk

I’ve just signed our family up for the Tandem Club rally in the Netherlands at the end of May. We are very much looking forward to it.

We will be sleeping in Amarillo.

 

[Kayleigh]

To be road legal, e-bikes have to be restricted to 15.5mph, the electric assistance only work when being pedalled and the rider 14 years or older.

And to be not road legal, just ride what you like!

 

[soulstyledevon]

To be road legal, e-bikes have to be restricted to 15.5mph, the electric assistance only work when being pedalled and the rider 14 years or older.

Electric bikes: licensing, tax and insurance

Electric bikes meeting the EAPC regulations can be ridden on the road without being taxed, licensed or insured

www.gov.uk

I’ve just signed our family up for the Tandem Club rally in the Netherlands at the end of May. We are very much looking forward to it.

We will be sleeping in Amarillo.

Do you know where you’re heading…?
My experience of Dutch campsites is very good. Fingers crossed the weather is good for you. It’s cycling paradise when the sun shines