Introducing our first role model…
As part of our She’s Electric Campaign, we are featuring role models whose lives have been revolutionised by electric bikes. First up is Elan, who cycles everywhere with her three-year-old daughter on her Tern GSD. (Thank you Honor Elliot for the fantastic photo)
We’ve partnered with Backpedal, a start-up passionate about overcoming the barrier of bike theft, to tell Elan’s story. Read her interview here about how the Tern GSD is the perfect car replacement for trips to the allotment and taking her daughter to preschool.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m a musician mainly. That’s my main thing, but that’s kind of been on the backburner more recently because I’ve been doing a lot of mum life.
I’ve got a three-year-old. I’m quite into gardening as well, so I do a lot of allotment stuff. But yes, I like music, allotment and sewing.
Tell me about your e-bike and how it benefits your life
Oh, gosh, it must be like a year and a half, two years ago that I got the Tern.
It’s just an amazing bike. I think I met someone who had a manual longtail cargo bike from my allotment, and when I saw that, it was just like, ‘I can’t believe that you can actually carry children on a bike and also carry stuff and kids and compost!’
I think just the practicality of being able to take stuff around on a bike – and then the motor, as well. I think that really was a game changer. I tried using a manual cargo bike for a bit, but that was just so much hard work.
I definitely need an electric situation going on! But I think that’s mainly because I don’t drive, and I wanted to be able to get around and have the freedom of just going wherever I want, not being stuck behind the wheel just to do all the various things that I like doing.
Once you’ve started and once you’ve figured out how to work it into your life and you’re happy with it… yeah, I think it’s difficult to think of changing back.
What’s a typical trip for you?
My most usual trip is probably taking my daughter to preschool. After that, probably going to the allotment, taking plants and various things that are required to garden with, like my tools and compost.
What do your family think of riding around?
Well, my daughter absolutely loves riding in the bike. She’s always keen to get in. She gets travel sick as well, so it’s definitely a better alternative to being stuck in a car.
My husband loves it and, yeah, even my mum and dad. I think they’re definitely down with it.
My dad taught me to ride. We used to ride a lot around the Lee Valley, around the canal, when we were kids with my dad.
How does it feel being part of BackPedal?
I signed up to BackPedal because I love the freedom of going out to do my favourite activities without constantly worrying about theft.
It’s a total game changer because it means I can focus on the things I love, like taking my daughters out, instead of constantly trying to keep it in eyeshot.
The fact that BackPedal have a team of recovery agents who go out to search for your bike is really reassuring. I mean, I wouldn’t want to go and get it back, so it makes sense for me to use them.
What’s one thing you would say to inspire more women to ride an electric bike?
An e-bike allows you to go so much further and do so much more than a normal bike. It opens up possibilities that were previously impossible and makes you feel way more confident on the road too.
BackPedal is a theft protection and theft recovery service for your e-bike. With a theft recovery team ready to hunt for your e-bike should it get stolen. Interested? Get two months free with this code: YXPWT. And watch their case study on Elan and how they’ve given her peace of mind.
Read our full review of the wonderful Tern GSD e-cargo bike. Could it work for your life?
About She’s Electric – We are on a mission to get more women on e-bikes. We believe e-bikes can help women over many of the barriers to cycling and as a result redress the gender gap in cycling and active travel. Do you ride an e-bike or e-cargo bike? Could you be a role model? Get in touch, we want to tell your story and inspire more women to try an e-bike. caz@cyclechic.co.uk
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