Try our Products at our Electric Bike Shops in Bristol, Cambridge, Oxford or York

We know the pandemic has affected us all in different ways. The disruption caused by Covid has meant many businesses couldn’t operate in the usual way. Many of their employees couldn’t go to work, and customers couldn’t buy their products or services. But one industry that has bucked the trend is the takeaway business, as people seek small treats under challenging times. We see news reports of highly skilled people such as airline pilots having to find alternative ways to make ends meet.

So if you’re thinking of delivering for Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Just Eats or another delivery company to make extra cash, you will want the most cost-effective, fast and easy way to get around.

Electric bikes are ideal, allowing you to make more deliveries and use less energy.

This article looks at the pros and cons of using e-bikes for urban delivery and how to choose the best e-bike for your delivery needs.

Why use an electric bike for deliveries?

“We love to give our customers Super Powers.”

Eddie Kehoe, Director

Electric bicycles use a battery-powered electric motor to help you get around. In Britain, most e-bikes use pedelec technology — you need to pedal to receive a boost from the motor, and it is some boost you really will feel like a superhero!!

There are loads of reasons why an e bike makes perfect sense:

• e bikes are faster in urban areas than both cars and ordinary bikes
• Make more deliveries — more money
• You use less energy
• You avoid getting stuck in traffic
• Much cheaper than using a car
• Low maintenance costs
• Easily keep up with traffic and accelerate away much faster than a standard bike
• No need to worry about finding a car park in busy areas
• You don’t need a driver’s licence or car insurance

Is an electric bike worth the investment?

If you are seriously considering taking up a new career as a delivery rider, you will need to most probably invest in a new bike, one that will be able to cope with heavy loads and all the mileage you will soon clock up. A cheap bike from Halfords isn’t going to cut the mustard, and you will need a high spec bike. While it is true that electric bikes are more costly, however even cheaper e-bikes tend to come with high spec groups sets and other high-end components as standard.

So you will find that a high spec pushbike is comparable to a cheaper electric bike. So it may be a good investment to spend a little more and go electric!!

Unless you are already very fit, the prospect of daily cycling around cities on a bike is a daunting one, and all but the most seasoned cyclists will quickly find themselves struggling to keep up. This is no issue for e bike riders and that superhero boost; the extra investment will soon pay off!! 

e-Bike Vs Car

Electric bikes may seem expensive. But compared to the price of running a vehicle and factoring in maintenance costs, insurance and tax etc., E-bikes are much cheaper to run than cars, making an excellent choice for zero-carbon last-mile delivery.

Electric bikes are fully tax-deductible for UK businesses, do not require a licence or road tax, have no parking costs or fines, minimal running costs (charging the battery and servicing), and can cover 50 miles on a single charge.

Research from traffic analysts found that UK drivers spent on average 115 hours each year stuck in traffic jams, costing £6.9bn and the typical driver £894. So for food delivery drivers, that means cold pizzas, less tips, fewer deliveries and less money!!

The facts show that over a year, electric bikes are much cheaper than cars, and by purchasing an electric bike, you could save over £1000 a year, quickly recovering the cost of the e-bike in money saved.

eBike Conversion Kit

Another way to go electric, especially if you are on a tighter budget, is to consider an electric bike conversion kit. At Electric Bike Sales, we have converted thousands of bikes into e-bikes, winning several awards along the way. See our blog post What is the Best Electric Bike Conversion Kit in the UK?

e-Cargo Bikes

Electric cargo bikes are becoming the go-to solution for last-mile delivery in towns and cities, with zero carbon emissions, no getting stuck in traffic jams and easy parking. Many delivery companies have discovered that by using e-cargo bikes instead of cars or vans, delivery times improve, and costs are reduced. One recent study found that e-cargo bikes could be used for 20 per cent of deliveries, meaning that electric cargo bikes could make potentially billions of yearly deliveries worldwide. UPS tested electric trikes that can hold up to 181 kilograms with a capacity of 2.7 cubic meters.

The impact e-cargo bikes are having on take-out food delivery is especially impressive. A dozen pizzas would overwhelm a traditional push bike and could be cumbersome even for a moped—but fit neatly in an e-cargo cycle. In trials, Domino’s Pizza found that eBike deliveries were faster than car deliveries and receiving higher customer service ratings.

See all our eCargo Bikes

Pros vs Cons of investing in an electric bike

We have looked deeply into the many advantages of electric bikes. Let’s examine the disadvantages.

The main two drawbacks of using an electric bike for a delivery service is:

• Weather
• Cost

Unless you choose to use a car, you will be exposed to the British climate. However, as we have discussed, there are so many disadvantages to using a vehicle compared to riding an eBike, and you will be much better off financially with an electric bike.

Cost is a significant consideration in whether to invest in an e bike or a regular bike. Speed is an important factor for any delivery service. Unless you are an extremely fit seasoned city commuter, you will have trouble keeping up with an e-bike, so more deliveries means more money offsetting the extra investment, quickly turning into profit.

Conclusion

Electric bikes and cargo are a fast and cost-effective way to fulfil last-mile delivery in urban areas.

Utilizing cycle lanes and avoiding traffic jams has meant electric bikes and eCargo bikes can reach delivery destinations quicker and are certainly worth serious consideration.

Some great eBikes you will love

2021 Cube Kathmandu Hybrid Pro 625 Hybrid eBike

Equipped with a Suntour XCR 32 air suspension forks for easy adjustability and sublime comfort on rough roads. Then we added an adjustable stem and suspension seat post. Shimano’s 10-speed Deore transmission provides a massive range and easy shifting. Included, of course, is the full complement of accessories and a very sturdy Integrated Carrier meaning you’re set up to take any ride in your stride.