Electric bike or scooter? We check what works better in the urban jungle. Which equipment pays off more, is more convenient and … will not lead you crazy.
Electric bike or scooter?
On the one hand, an electric scooter – small, agile, you will press it almost everywhere. On the other, an electric bike – faster, more convenient for longer routes. Exactly … Which solution is better? In theory, both have their advantages, but in practice – Surprise, Surprise – it depends. From what? From you, the city, budget and even … your patience to charging the battery. Below we spread the topic for prime factors.
The electric bike and scooter are not only toys for gadgets today. These are already full means of transport. In cities where traffic jams are a natural state at certain hours, and the parking space is a luxurious good, switching to something with electric drive is simply logical. The choice is not as obvious as it seems.
Mobility vs. Comfort – first clash
The scooter wins with the bike in terms of mobility. You fold, take under your armpit, throw it into the trunk or bring to the office. With a bike? Well, try to push him into the elevator in the 70’s block, and after a failed test, bring to the 6th floor. Nothing pleasant. Especially when such an activity is to be repeated twice a day. The bike is a larger dimension, it is harder to store it and we will not always find space for it.
The bike gives comfort, which the scooter usually will not provide. You have cushioning, larger wheels, you sit comfortably, and you don’t balance on a trembling platform. Driving on the cobblestones on a scooter is an extreme sport – in this way the bike compensates for the discomfort associated with the dimensions.
Range and battery
On a scooter paper, it often has a range of 20-40 km. In practice? Wind, driveways, your weight – all this effectively accelerates the consumption of energy. Real: 15-20 km and stress begins to get to the charger. Electric bikes fall here much better. 50 km is a standard, and some models pull up even 100 km. And what is important – if the battery falls, you will always go on the bike, even if with a slight shortness of breath. Scooter? Well, sometimes you will have to take a walk with an additional load under your arm.
Safety – a topic that hardly anyone talks about
Here again a bicycle point. Sitting position, larger wheels, better visibility, disc brakes. Microscopic wheels still reign in scooters, which do not cope well on unevenness. Rain? A scooter on a wet surface ceases to be safe. The bike stays better and in general – it is easier to maneuver in crisis situations.
Scooter vs. Bicycle: Risk of theft
Safety is also the topic of theft – and here it gets interesting. A scooter, especially light and folded, is a very easy target. Leaving it under the store even for a few minutes without security is asking for trouble. It can also be risky with a bicycle, but at least you can pin it with a solid U-lock fastener or a chain. The scooter is more difficult to protect – many models do not have a frame or element that is easy to block.
However, this medal has two sides. The bike, even the best protected, usually stays outside – pinned to the rack, barriers, lantern. And unfortunately, this makes him a tasty bite for thieves. Scooter? Although it is an easier goal for the thief as such, he has one big advantage – you can take it with you almost everywhere. To the office, to the store, to the apartment, even to the cafe. You do not have to leave her unattended, which in practice significantly reduces the risk that someone will “take care” without asking.
So who wins? It depends on how to look at it. The bike gives greater protection, scooter – greater mobility and the ability to keep it always with you.
Costs – that is, what and how long it will live
At first glance, a scooter is a cheaper option. Around PLN 1,500-2500 you can buy something sensible. Electric bike? Prices start realistically from PLN 4,000 and fly quickly. Note: Tania scooter often lives briefly. The bicycle, although more expensive at the start, usually withstands longer and easier to fix or improve.
Which suits your lifestyle better
If you need something that will quickly take you from the apartment to the tram or from the subway to work – the scooter is great. If you want to cover larger distances, ride recreation after work or jump at 20 km for weekend – the electric bike will be unrivaled. And one more thing: a scooter will not give you this feeling of freedom that gives bicycle ride, especially when you catch a pleasant rhythm and drive 25 km/h with wind in your hair …;)
What to choose then? There is no one good answer. The scooter wins with mobility, simplicity and price. The bike beats her on the head in terms of range, comfort and durability. If you live in the center, you get for short distances and want something light – a scooter probably makes more sense. If you care about something universal, for everyday and weekend riding – a bike can be a more universal solution.
Or maybe … just borrow both for the day or two and see for yourself what suits you better? No advice will replace your own driving impressions, and rentals of this type of vehicle are no longer exotic.
