Thanks to Axcess for supporting VB by sponsoring this feature. Ed
visit their Website
There’s no denying it – owning and running a car is getting more expensive – and it doesn’t look like this is going to change with the price of oil predicted to continue to rise.
On top of fuel prices, there’s rising car tax, high car parking charges on the Isle of Wight, garage bills, MOT and the need to yearly insure your car. If you tot it up, the cost of running a car can be considerable.
Electric bikes – for the forward-looking
But we still need to get around, so what are we going to do? Well, some forward-looking people are switching to electric bikes.
Axcess Electric Bikes is an Island company based in Sandown that has a wide range of electric bikes catering for every need.
In the past, electric bikes were a bit of a peculiarity, suffering from large, heavy batteries that didn’t power the bikes very far.
Better batteries – better range
Fortunately, with the advancements in battery technology, due in no small part to the march of the laptop battery, they can carry you much further distances, for longer.
The designs of the bikes in the Axcess range are contemporary, with Axcess’ ten models currently catering for every need, from a foldup bike, good for commuting, through to mountain bikes with disc-brakes for the adventurous.
Full charge only 12-15p
Not only are the bikes a lot more green than cars, but with a full charge of their batteries only costing 12-15p – and that taking you up to 45 miles (depending on the bike model) – the running costs start to become very appealing. Of course, there’s no car tax to pay on them, nor parking fees.
The distance that each model can travel varies depending on the battery that is on-board – a 10 amp/hour has a range of 20 miles to a 17 amp/hour battery carrying you 40-50 miles, that should be enough to take you from the east of the Island, to the West and back again.
‘Pedal assist’
Both of those distances are while the bikes are under power, you can of course, extend the range of the bikes by pedalling them. There is an in-between setting, ‘pedal assist’, that helps you along your way, reducing the work of pedalling.
Even if you’re out and about on the Isle of Wight, there’s a growing number of re-charging stations dotted around the Island.
Savings of £1,000 on annual fuel bill
One family found that driving their daughter to muck out horses at a stable 2.5 miles away was not only involving them in early morning journeys, but totting up to an additional 10 miles of driving a day.
Their solution has been to buy their daughter an electric bike from Axcess. Not only does their daughter benefit from the increased independence of making her own journeys, but the family estimate that in a year they’ll save over £1,000 on fuel alone – and not have to be up at the crack of dawn to ferry their daughter around.
Others are taking the opportunity of deciding to not replace their second car, going instead for an electric bike or two.
Free on the ferries & hover
Some people who have bought bikes from Axcess are not only using them for making trips that they would have previously used a car, but for expanding their leisure activities. As the ferry companies and Hovertravel carry bicycles for free, they’re planning trips to the Mainland at low cost.
If you like the idea of making the world a greener place, or saving money on your transport, the team at Axcess will be more than happy to talk you through the range of bikes they carry, finding the perfect one for you.
Call them on 01983 407 049 or visit their Website.
