• Two charity workers used e-bikes to commute from their home city of Manchester to a meeting in Sheffield to encourage others to use e-cycles as a form of transport
• The pair pedalled 40 miles, taking in the Peak District National Park to an elevation of 3,000 feet in just over three hours and arrived at their destination with battery charge to spare
• Cycling UK’s new free scheme, Making cycling e-asier, is helping communities in England to start e-cycling regularly by offering free e-cycle loans and skills and confidence sessions
• Photos available at skyfish.com/p/cyclinguk/2241708

Ryan Smith and Simon Ward, who work on Cycling UK’s new free e-cycle scheme Making cycling e-asier, borrowed two fully charged Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0 e-cycles from the pilot project and made it to their meeting on time with battery life left.

The pair completed the 40-mile (64km) ride, which took them over one of England’s steepest hills, Bamford Clough Hill, in just three and a half hours. Along the way they climbed more than 3,100ft – almost the equivalent of climbing England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike (3,209ft).

Simon Ward, Cycling UK behaviour change officer at Making cycling e-asier, said:

“We decided to set ourselves the challenge of pedalling Making cycling e-asier e-cycles from Sheffield to Manchester to prove that you don’t always have to rely on cars and public transport to get around.

“The motor assistance on our e-bikes meant that neither of us struggled or felt very out of breath as we pedalled up steep hills. However, we both still really felt the benefits of incorporating exercise into our mega-commute.”

To travel home, Ryan and Simon hopped on a train with their e-bikes, which was a seamless process as the train had dedicated cycle carriage on board.

Not only did the duo feel the mental and physical benefits of pedalling, by choosing to e-cycle, they saved money they would have otherwise spent on taking the train or driving a car.

A single train ticket from Manchester to Sheffield can cost anywhere from £8-£24, and a monthly season pass costs more than £320.

According to RAC, the average cost of unleaded petrol is 148.50 pence per litre, meaning driving 40 miles per week, or around five miles per day, costs more than £10 per week, before taking the cost of a car, insurance and regular repairs into account.

In England, currently 59% of journeys under five miles are driven, however the cost-of-living-crisis is pushing many to consider alternative and cheaper ways to travel. Making cycling e-asier aims to support communities in Manchester, Sheffield, Leicester and Luton and Dunstable by encouraging them to pedal when they can.

People in Manchester and Sheffield can access Making cycling e-asier through community hubs, selected workplaces and Evans Cycles.

Jenny Box, Deputy director of Making cycling e-asier, commented:

“Cycling UK has already heard from Making cycling e-asier beneficiaries who have started e-cycling regularly as a result of their free one-month loan.

“Ryan and Simon’s enthusiasm and determination has proven that e-cycling can be a practical mode of transport. We understand that pedalling for a 40-mile journey isn’t realistic for many, however people can still enjoy the benefits of e-cycling through pedalling for short everyday journeys.”

By giving people the opportunity to discover the cost, health and environmental benefits of e-cycling, it is hoped that Making cycling e-asier, which is funded by Department for Transport, will help them make the decision to pedal more and cut down on unnecessary short car journeys.

Simon added:

“I’d not want to tackle such a ride every day, especially for work, but most of my journeys are short so it’s good to know an e-bike can make those journeys a breeze. It’s amazing to think how much money you can save and how much better you can feel by driving less and cycling more often.”