What is the perfect electric bike for Paris?
This page is translated from the original post "Quel est le vélo électrique parfait pour Paris ?" in French.
- 04/11/2023 15:26
The capital city presents specific features that should guide your electric bike purchase. Here are the main points.
The Paris City Hall has turned public transportation into a nightmare – endless intervals between metros, bus traffic disrupted by ongoing surface works that have been dragging on for years, prohibitive fares… – cycling has ultimately become an obvious choice for those whose physical health and fear of getting wet (from the rain or sweat) allow it.
But not all bikes are suitable in a capital like Paris. Here are our tips and, at the very end, the cycle that Mobiwisy considers most relevant!
First, it’s necessary to create a profile of Parisian roads:
- Paved roads that jolt and slip when it rains
- Numerous hills, especially in the northern parts of the city (Montmartre, Buttes Chaumont…)
- The need for power to escape traffic
- Quite frequent rainy days in winter
- Increasingly limited city lighting
- Disregard for the traffic code, which requires knowing how to stop within a few meters
If you have already cycled in Paris, safety and comfort are your top priorities. After 5 km on cobblestones, you’ll need to see a physiotherapist. Finally, disc brakes (immediate effectiveness) and fenders are essential.
For comfort, a simple front fork is not enough: favor models with a front suspension, rear shock absorber, and ideally, a suspended seat post.
It’s also unnecessary to choose a €3,000 model, as thefts and vandalism are unfortunately common in Paris. And remember that government subsidies to encourage cycling can reduce the purchase cost.
Once these parameters are considered, Mobiwisy has identified a cycle that is genuinely ideal for navigating Paris. It is the Decathlon Riverside 920E, offered at less than €900 before subsidies. With subsidies, the price drops by €300 to €400 depending on your tax rate, meaning less than €600. For an electric bike, that’s unmatched.
At this price, unfortunately, disc brakes are not standard, but the rest of the features are faultless: double suspension, 90-kilometer electric range, removable battery, powerful lighting, and deep-tread tires to prevent slipping when it rains.
Keep in mind that cycling in Paris remains dangerous, so do not take unnecessary risks.
ALSO READ: Decathlon Rental: Is Buying a Bike Still Worth It?
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