Background

The COVID "bike boom" hit me hard:; I went from bike-sharer to bike-owner to e-bike maniac in 1 year.

Timeline

• 2012 → July 2020:

  • Enthusiastic bike-share (Citibike NYC) user.

  • Frequently: take train to a place/event, bike home; 1-way option is nice!

  • The bikes are heavy and slow, but convenient.

• July 2020:

  • Got a hand-me-down roadbike.

  • "I still love Citibike, but this is better for some trips/errands."

• September 2020:

  • Want something for grocery runs.

  • Bought a "hybrid" (non-electric; a cross between "road" and "mountain" bikes; basically a "city bike"). Revelatory, love it.

  • Got lots of bags+accessories to fit different needs (errands/cargo, distance/joy-ride, day in the city, etc.)

• November 2020:

  • Still want to try an e-bike.

  • Ideally a hauler, that could also fold up for easy storage (my office already had two wall-mounted bikes, but e-bikes are generally too heavy for that).

  • Bought a Tern Vektron Q9 (folding + cargo bike).

• December → January 2021:

  • E-bikes are revolutionary and I need more 🤩.

  • Helping friends+family try+buy.

  • Market moving quickly; many fascinating takes on what an "electric bike" can be.

  • Bought an electric roadbike and a VanMoof X3 (all-purpose city e-bike).

• June 2021:

  • Got a Brompton Electric; small fold + portable, nice for little errands, bringing it inside buildings/restaurants

  • 3k total miles, mix of errands, recreation, and longer/overnight trips

4 ebikes in my office: electric roadbike (Creo) on the wall, Brompton and Tern folded in a corner, and VanMoof X3 next to them