Sir, – As a single parent, I used to feel that not having a car placed limitations on my life. That was, until I bought an electric cargo bike. Suddenly most aspects of my life became easier, and I felt I was living rather than just surviving.
Though the bike costs little to run, the initial outlay was significant on my income at the time.
In contrast with government incentives to buy electric cars, Bike to Work, as the name suggests, is only available to those in paid employment. This means that many of the people who could benefit the most are left out.
Pensioners, family carers, third-level students, full-time parents, jobseekers, those on work placement and training schemes, and self-employed people are all excluded.
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Going to work is not the only worthy use for a bike. They are for transporting children, attending classes, shopping, accessing services, exercising, meeting friends and family, volunteering, staying active in older age, and much more. They can even enable people to take up employment opportunities in the first place.
And e-bikes lower the barriers to cycling, reducing car reliance and giving people independence when driving is burdensome or impossible.
Given how they improve people’s lives, create safer streets, and reduce emissions, I hope the upcoming budget brings supports to make bikes and e-bikes affordable for all. – Yours, etc,
CLARE HARTWIEG,
Gorey,
Co Wexford.