Electronic bikes (e-bikes) are a great option for many who want a quick and easy alternative to driving a car. E-bikes have a small battery-powered motor that makes cycling up hills or over longer distances a breeze. The growing demand for e-bikes in Canberra means lower prices and more options to suit the needs of every person.
In 2023, we held two come-and-try e-bike events with the SEE-Change Canberra Electric Bike Library. Over 100 students, staff and visitors on the day tried a variety of e-bikes. The commuter-style bikes were the most popular, followed by cargo bikes, for those with children.
Are you interested in seeing if an e-bike is right for you? Check out the SEE-Change website for details on how to borrow a bike! You can also become a member of SEE-Change to enjoy member discounts on e-bike purchases!
The Canberra Electric Bike Library is an ACT Government-funded program run by SEE-Change and Switched on Cycles.
Benefits of owning an e-bike
There are many personal benefits to using an e-bike in place of a car, some of these include:
- Improved health and well-being - a recent Australian study showed that participants had improved mental and physical wellbeing from riding e-bikes, saying that they felt happier when they were riding.
- Reduced carbon footprint - in fact, for short trips like commuting to work, riding a bike over driving can reduce your carbon footprint by 75%.
Financial savings from lower running costs - depending on your circumstances, an e-bike could pay for itself in its first year of use.
Not only are there physical, mental, financial and environmental benefits, you can potentially save time and frustration with an e-bike by avoiding peak hour traffic and searching for an available parking spot on campus.
There are outdoor bike shelters scattered across the Acton campus where you can securely lock up an e-bike, as well as shower amenities in many buildings, in case you have an energetic ride!
For eligible staff interested in purchasing an e-bike for commuting, ANU salary sacrifice options include e-bike purchases, read more here.
If cycling is not feasible for you, have you considered a hybrid or electric vehicle to reduce your carbon footprint?
Check out the ANU novated lease options for these low emissions vehicles and the ACT Government incentives to help make these options more affordable. Additionally, with the Australian Government's Electric Car (EV) Discount, a novated lease on an eligible EV is exempt from Fringe Benefit tax, meaning you don't pay any post-tax contributions. Find out more information on what is possible in the links below.