A field guide to getting there without the gas.
The big comparison
E-bike, scooter or Onewheel?
Start with your route.
The stairs, the work bag, the road home. The right ride has to get along with all of them.
Find your fit Photo: Denago eBikes / Unsplash
A better trip to work
Less gas.More good
miles.
You don't have to sell your car. Start with the trips you'd enjoy riding instead, and see how much gas money you can keep.
Find your everyday escapeA good place
to start
your life?02What would you
save on gas?03Your first week
riding to work
The field guide
A few things worth knowing.
Find your kind of ride
How do you like to move?
Familiar, with a little help
For the days
you're carrying
half your life.
A comfortable seat, a rack for your work bag and a motor to help on the hills. For everyday errands and longer commutes, an e-bike is a good place to start.
- Fits well
- Work bags, groceries, longer trips
- Think about
- Storage, stairs and secure parking
A short trip, made easy
For the gap
between here
and the train.
A scooter can turn the walk to the station into a quick ride. Look closely at weight and folded size: the one you carry onto the bus is very different from a big, fast road scooter.
- Fits well
- Short commutes, transit connections
- Think about
- Rough pavement and the actual carry weight
Make a little room for fun
For people who
look forward
to the ride.
Hands free, nimble and a whole different way to move. Give yourself time to learn before putting a work deadline at the other end of the trip.
- Fits well
- Light packing, carving, a more playful commute
- Think about
- Practice, protective gear and local access rules
More your speed? Get to know electric unicycles and electric skateboards.
THE BACK-OF-AN-ENVELOPE BIT
What stays
in your pocket?
Pick a trip you could ride instead of drive. Use the whole round trip and the number of days you'd actually do it.
Not sure where to start? Pick a tripAn editable example, not a current gas-price quote. Change these numbers to match your week.
GAS YOU COULD AVOID BUYING
per month, averaged over the year
$1,266 in gas per year
281 gallons per year
Gas only, before buying the ride, charging it or paying for upkeep. Your car payment and insurance continue if you keep the car. The full calculator lets you add the other costs.
Add the ride and work out the full costWhere life happens
