ebike for my old mum

pep.fermi · June 24

My 75yo Mum is still reasonably fit but her eyesight is worsening rapidly and it is expected she will therefore soon have to stop driving. This will have major consequences, in terms of visiting friends and family, and daily commissions. I'm thinking of buying her an ebike. She lives in a privileged area with bicycle lanes everywhere. Unfortunately she's never really been into cycling, so basic handling skills are probably somehow lacking.

Comments?

Thanks,

briantrumpet · June 24

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/13130520/ebike-for-my-old-mum

Are there any initiatives locally for basic (e-)bike confidence building?... I've seen some advertised in Exeter, so maybe you can find something like that for your mum?

oxoman · June 24

Given her age is it worth considering one of the e-tricycle/ cargo type bikes, especially given her lack of biking skills.

monkimark · June 24

If she's 75 and not used to cycling, maybe a tricycle? - gives more/easier luggage carrying options as well.

I guess they are quite heavy though so only really an option if she has a garage that it is easy to rid in/out of.

Step through frame for practicality

Puncture proof tyres as well, Marathon plus are probably the obvious choice

Ideally, I'd want to find somewhere that you can hire one for the day and see how she gets on with it.

Also, if there are any gates on the cycle lanes (like the ones they use to stop motorbikes using them) it may be difficult to get the trike through.

Pross · June 24

If her eyesight isn't up to driving is encouraging her to use an e-bike a good idea, especially if she has little cycling experience?

pep.fermi · June 24

Thanks everybody for the comments.

I had not thought about trikes, I think they're a very good suggestion.

briantrumpet · June 24

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21075678#Comment_21075678

Yes, much better than my bike confidence idea, for all sorts of reasons... and especially given there's a good bike network, so the vision thing won't be quite as crucial as on the roads, given the slower speeds etc.