I’ve always loved cycling, but as my city has grown and traffic has gotten worse, riding a regular bike to work every day started to feel like a chore. Petrol prices were rising, the bus was crowded, and I found myself daydreaming about an easier way to get around. At the start of 2025, a friend let me borrow his electric bicycle for a weekend. One ride was enough to convince me to trade in my old commuter bike for a battery-powered assist.
Before making the switch, I did a lot of research. There are dozens of e-bikes on the market now, from sleek folding models to rugged fat-tire beasts. I wanted something light enough to carry upstairs to my apartment, but powerful enough to handle the hilly streets on my way to the office. I ended up choosing a mid-range model with a 250-watt motor and a removable battery that promised about 60 kilometres of range. It cost more than any bike I’d ever owned, but after adding up what I spent on public transport in a year, it seemed like a smart investment. I still remember the excitement of unboxing it and taking it for its first spin around the block.
My first week of commuting was eye-opening. The morning climb that used to leave me breathless suddenly felt like a gentle incline. I still had to pedal – this wasn’t a motorbike – but the motor kicked in smoothly when I needed help. The bike accelerated quickly at traffic lights, which made merging into city traffic less nerve-wracking. I enjoyed gliding past cars stuck in jams while feeling the cool breeze on my face. Charging the battery overnight became part of my routine, and I quickly learned to plug it in as soon as I got home. Because the battery was removable, I could take it upstairs and charge it next to my desk like a laptop.
One of the biggest surprises was how much money I saved. I used to spend roughly ₹2,500 a month on bus passes and the occasional cab when I was running late. Now I was gliding to work on a few rupees’ worth of electricity. I also found myself skipping the gym on some days because my ride gave me enough exercise to feel energised. On weekends I started taking longer rides along the river or to the outskirts of town. The e-bike made cycling fun again; it felt like having a gentle tailwind wherever I went.
It wasn’t all perfect, of course. Range anxiety is real, especially when you’re still learning what your battery can handle. There were a couple of mornings when I forgot to charge and had to pedal a very heavy bike with no assistance – that will make you sweat! I also realised that the added speed required more attention: potholes come at you faster, and braking distances increase with the extra weight. While my neighbourhood has started adding charging stations, they’re still rare, so planning longer rides takes a bit of thought. And because e-bikes are expensive, I became more cautious about where I locked it up. Investing in a sturdy lock and insurance was part of the deal.
There were some delightful, unexpected perks too. Strangers stopped me at lights to ask questions about the bike, and I ended up chatting with other e-cyclists I never would have met otherwise. My dad, who hadn’t ridden a bike in decades, took it for a spin and came back grinning ear to ear. The quiet hum of the motor made evening rides through the park feel almost meditative. I even found myself looking forward to my commute, something I never thought I’d say.
If you’re considering an electric bicycle in 2025, my advice is to test ride a few models and think about your daily needs. How far do you ride? Do you have somewhere safe to charge and store it? Are you okay with a bit of maintenance? They’re not cheap, and they won’t magically make traffic disappear. But for me, the e-bike has been a game-changer. It’s cut my commuting costs, reduced my carbon footprint, and reminded me that getting from point A to point B can actually be enjoyable.
