The final part of our shamelessly clickbait series. We promised you wouldn’t believe who he met on the way home. We stand by the raccoon.
This is Part 3 of a three-part series written by Xzavier Laprise, our co-op student in the Health Sciences department at Western University, about a month of commuting on a Gazelle Medeo T9.
What happens when an e-bike stops being something you ride for fun and becomes part of your everyday life?
The Bike Has Changed How I Explore London
The biggest change I’ve noticed isn’t necessarily how I commute. It’s how I think about getting around. When I’m driving, I usually open Google Maps and look for the fastest route based on traffic. When I’m riding, I don’t always care about the fastest route. Sometimes I’ll take a side road I’ve never been down. I’ll stop to take a picture of a view. I’ll slow down when I see an animal. I’ve found myself exploring parts of London that I probably wouldn’t have noticed from behind the wheel. The bike has made the journey itself part of the experience.
A Different Perspective Through London Bicycle Café
Working with London Bicycle Café has also changed my understanding of e-bikes. Before actually riding one, I mostly thought of an e-bike as a cheaper alternative to a car and a more environmentally friendly way to get around. Those things are still true, but they’re only part of the story. What I didn’t understand was how useful an e-bike could be for the small, everyday tasks that make up someone’s life. Going to the grocery store, getting to work, going to class, picking up something you forgot, visiting a friend, getting to a recreational activity: the list goes on and on. These are the trips where the simplicity of an e-bike really becomes apparent.
I’ve also learned that bicycles can be useful for more than individual transportation. There are initiatives around the city, such as park cleanups, where a bicycle can access areas that may be difficult for larger vehicles to reach. Actually riding the Medeo has also changed the way I think about researching and talking about bicycles. The best way to understand something is to experience it. I can read specifications, research components and learn about what a bike is designed to do, but actually riding it to class four days a week tells me something that a Google search can’t.
My Most Memorable Ride
Funnily enough, my most memorable ride was my first one. It was also technically my first meeting with my new boss. I expected the meeting to be formal, probably sitting in an office, and talking about work. Instead, we went for a bike ride. We talked while riding, enjoyed the weather and spent time outdoors. I remember having a smile on my face that I couldn’t get rid of. I was almost trying to hide it because I didn’t want to look like I was that excited about riding a bike. But I was. There was something about exercising, talking and being outdoors that immediately made me feel relaxed.
Of course, not every memorable ride has been quite so peaceful. One night after work, I was riding home when a massive raccoon ran directly in front of me. I slammed on the brakes, and the raccoon stopped. It scurried up a telephone pole and began staring at me. For whatever reason, I became convinced it might jump on me if I tried to pass. So I started ringing my bell, almost as if I was politely asking the raccoon to go first. We had a two-minute standoff that the raccoon eventually won. Potentially out of fear, I decided that turning around to cross the street was the smart option. It wasn’t exactly the adventure I expected when I left work that night, but it’s another reminder of why riding a bike feels different from driving. You actually experience what’s happening around you instead of speeding past it.
Would I Buy One?
There is one important reality to acknowledge. As much as I love the Medeo T9, I don’t think I could personally justify spending $3,499 or more on a bike right now (that’s where the Medeo T9 starts) as a university student. That isn’t a criticism of the bike. It’s simply a reflection of my budget. If the Medeo were within my price range, I would absolutely consider buying one. And that’s probably one of the most honest conclusions I can give after using it every day.
Who Is the Medeo T9 For?
After using the bike extensively, I think the Medeo could work for a wide range of people: students, daily commuters, people who work downtown, people looking to replace short car trips, people who want to cycle but don’t necessarily consider themselves serious cyclists, and even some older riders who could benefit from the assistance, although the bike’s weight and height may be something to consider.
I would also say it is better suited to individual riders than people who need significant cargo capacity for things like transporting children or completing large family grocery trips. For someone looking for a fast, stable and efficient commuter bike, the Medeo makes a lot of sense.
So, Has My Opinion of E-Bikes Changed?
Completely. Before using the Medeo T9, I thought an e-bike was essentially just a regular bicycle with an electric motor. Now I see it as something different. I see it as a legitimate transportation option. A regular bike can get you from point A to point B faster than walking, but the e-bike adds something that makes cycling much easier to incorporate into everyday life. It gives you assistance when you need it and lets you work harder when you want to. It can save money and time, provide exercise, and replace short car trips. But, perhaps most importantly, it makes getting around feel enjoyable.
After actually using the Medeo T9 for everyday transportation, I realized that commuting by bike isn’t simply about getting from one place to another. It’s about everything that comes with the journey: the exercise, the fresh air, the money saved, the new discoveries, and even the raccoons.
For me, the Medeo T9 has turned biking from something I associated primarily with recreation into something I genuinely depend on. Now, whenever I have somewhere to go, my first thought isn’t necessarily “Should I bike there?” It’s: “Why wouldn’t I?”
Read the whole series by Xzavier Laprise:
Part 1: The commute to Western
Part 2: Turbo hills, rain and groceries
Part 3: Exploring London (and a raccoon) (you are here)