Rethinking Mobility with an E-Bike
When I bought my electric bike, my main motivation was health. I’d had some trouble with my knee, and I hoped an e-bike would help me stay active without overstraining it. In practice, it didn’t turn out exactly as I imagined — I actually use my regular bike far more often. I bought the e-bike quickly, online, without long research, while many people I know spend months choosing the perfect model. For me, it was a practical decision, nothing more.
I didn’t look for subsidies before buying it. Only afterwards did I check what support existed — and found nothing. It wasn’t my motivation anyway. Most people I know who buy e-bikes spend 30–40 thousand złoty, and they don’t need financial assistance. Personally, I think that doesn’t make much sense. There are plenty of good, cheaper electric bikes on the market. My own mother has one, but it doesn’t replace her car — she uses it purely for recreation. I’m not sure what a subsidy program would have to look like to support buying e-bikes as actual car substitutes rather than leisure gadgets.
In my daily life, I cycle to work about three times a week. I take the car only when the weather is really bad or when I need to dress formally. I own a mild hybrid, but I honestly don’t know what that means in practice. What I do know is that I enjoy cycling — and I hate sitting in traffic. Public transport doesn’t appeal to me, so the bike is the simplest and most pleasant way to get around.
I occasionally use the city bike system when I’m out without my own bike. Not very often, but I think the system in Warsaw is great. It really helps people switch from cars, taxis and buses to bikes, even if only for short trips.
As for my own e-bike, I have mixed feelings. The biggest issue is the 25 km/h speed limit on electric assistance. Once I cross that speed, the motor cuts out, and the bike becomes heavy and difficult to pedal. At that point my normal bike is simply better. I’d prefer the limit to be set at 28 km/h. Some people buy e-bikes from the US, where the cutoff is at 30 km/h, and honestly I think that’s completely fine. Many riders remove the speed limit altogether, but that’s illegal — and dangerous.
I don’t regret the purchase, but I’ve learned that an electric bike isn’t automatically a game-changer. It depends on the model, the rider and the purpose. For me, it complements my mobility, but it hasn’t replaced anything. In the end, I still reach for my regular bike most days — simply because I enjoy it more.