There are a lot of different commuting options out there these days. You can take the bus, the train, your car, or even ride a bike. But what if you want to get around without using any gas or pedalling? That’s where electric bikes and skateboards come in.
Electric bikes have been around for a while now, and they’re becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional bicycles. Electric skateboards, on the other hand, are a newer invention that’s slowly but surely gaining popularity. So which one is better for commuting? Let’s find out!
Why You Would Use Any Of The Two?
Well, this might be stating the obvious but – eco-friendliness. Electric bikes and skateboards are powered by electricity, which means they don’t produce any emissions. This is great news for the environment!
And yes, we know they run on lithium-ion batteries that aren’t exactly “green”, but so does your phone, yet no one seems to be frustrated or vocal about that.
Another benefit of using an electric bike or skateboard for commuting is that it’s often faster than other modes of transport. This is especially true during rush hour when traffic is bumper-to-bumper.
And finally, let’s just be brutally honest – electric bikes and skateboards are so freakin’ cool. They definitely make commuting more enjoyable.
E-Bikes – What Are They And What Do They Bring To The Table?
Let’s take a look at e-bikes first. How would we describe them? We’d as they’re kiddy bikes with training wheels, but for grown-ups. That’s a pretty good assessment if you ask us. On a more serious note, an e-bike is a motor and battery-powered bike that you may or may not have to pedal – depending on the model.
One of the biggest advantages of e-bikes is that they can go much faster than traditional bikes. Some e-bikes have a motor that can propel them up to 30 miles per hour, which is much faster than most people can pedal. In fact, that’s about two to three times as fast as an average human can pedal. This makes e-bikes ideal for commuting since you can get to your destination quickly and without breaking a sweat.
E-bikes also have a longer range than traditional bikes, since they rely on battery power more than on your own legs. We’re joking, as you can obviously see, but when you think about it, if you’re not in shape – you can’t really ride around for thirty miles, especially not at these speeds.
All jokes aside, most e-bikes can go for about 30 miles on a single charge, with some reaching up to 50, which means you can easily commute to work or run errands for a few days without having to worry about running out of juice. And if you do run out of battery power, you can always pedal the bike like a regular bicycle if push comes to shove.
Also, bikes are even considered professional, which we can’t really say about skateboards. We’re quite certain, that even in this culture, you’d get some weird looks if you rolled up to work on a board – electric or not. Bikes, on the other hand, are more than passable.
Finally, riding an electric bike is a lot easier than riding a skateboard. This is because, with an e-bike, you’re mostly just sitting down and staying upright, whereas with a skateboard, you have to constantly balance yourself or else you’ll fall off.
Electric Skateboards – What Are They And How They Compare To E-Bikes?
Now, let’s take a look at electric skateboards. Electric skateboards and longboards are very similar to regular skateboards, except they have a motor and a battery that allows them to go without being pushed – but you already know that. But, what might not know, is that you can control the electric longboard with a remote! If you actually didn’t know that – we hope you are as mind-blown as we were. It’s so cool.
Now, let’s stop gushing about remote controls and let’s compare them to e-bikes.
They’re smaller than electric bikes, which makes them more portable and easier to store. Some petite boards could probably fit in a large backpack if we’re being completely honest. As you know – a bike couldn’t. And since boards don’t have pedals like bikes, you don’t have to worry about getting the hem of your dress pants caught in them while you’re riding.
Electric skateboards also tend to be more affordable than e-bikes, so that’s a bonus. In fact, bikes are, on average, twice as expensive.
However, electric skateboards do have some drawbacks. For one thing, they have shorter ranges than e-bikes since they come with smaller batteries. Av average motorized electric longboard can only go for about 10 to 15 miles on a single charge, so you’ll need to plan your route carefully if you’re commuting on one of these.
And oh, if you’re confused by the skateboard-longboard mess – click here and you’ll see the difference immediately.
In the end, electric skateboards also tend to be slower than e-bikes, with most models topping out at around 15 miles per hour, although you can find models that can speed up to 25 miles per hour. Overall, this means that they might not be ideal for commuting if you need to get to your destination quickly.
Final Verdict – Which One Is Better For Commuting?
So which one is better for commuting? Well, we can’t really decide. They’re both cool and they both come with their own set of pros and cons, so it really depends on your needs and preferences.
If you need to get to your destination quickly and don’t mind pedalling, then an e-bike is probably the way to go. But if you want a more portable (and arguably cooler) experience and don’t mind taking a slightly longer route, then an electric skateboard might be better for you.
Ultimately, the choice is yours! Just make sure to wear a helmet and actual elbow pads! Patches on a blazer don’t count, professor.
