Please share!
One mummy, one bike, two kids and a school run
Lately, I’ve had a huge lifestyle change. I have decided to give up full time work to work on this blog, living more sustainably and just being with our two beautiful children more.
It’s only been a few weeks, but already I feel rejuvenated, re-inspired and ready to take on the eco world! But seriously..I am now spending more time outside, cycling and walking in and around Stirling and it is bringing my heart great joy.
I have had to learn pretty fast how to make the most of our E-cargo bike to use as school transportation – no mean feat! It’s long and cumbersome until you can get used to it. So here’s how I roll as one mummy, two kids and an e-cargo bike (a.k.a the Night Fury).
I have to get the kids ready by 8.20am. I then spend 10 minutes getting myself ready as I definitely need extra layers for the freezing temperatures we’ve been experiencing this November!
I prefer wearing a hat under my helmet when it’s cold, my husband can’t be doing with such nonsense! Good thick gloves are a must otherwise my fingers freeze up and I become clumsy with the brakes.
I am paranoid about not being seen by cars, especially when I have children on the e-bike, so a fluorescent vest is a must for me, even during the daytime.
We have a handy storage pouch on the bike in which is shoved all manner of useful things, in this case the main bike lock and emergency waterproof trousers. Always be prepared!
Who wouldn’t want this feature. So useful! I have used it when I know it’s cold out and I’m rushing in the morning. I like to appreciate a cup of (loose leaf!) tea so if I won’t have time to do that, I just make one in a reusable mug (ours happens to be Starbucks) and take it with me, making all the mums in the playground jealous!
On the way to school I am able to chat to the kids whilst on the bike which is nice. I usually use less power to train up my leg muscles on the flat parts of our route (it’s just over 2 miles) but REALLY appreciate the power of the ‘engine’ to get up one seriously steep hill…it’s full power, maximum help from the bike plus all the strength of my leg muscles!
We decant kids at school around 8.45am, giving them time to play with all their friends (and use the toilet when necessary) before school starts. The bike has been a great talking point over the last year and other kids enjoy climbing all over it whilst waiting for the bell to ring.
A must-have item for the journey home from school: plastic free snack bought from Lidl’s very own bakery, handily situated next to the school! Helps create a positive attitude in tired children!
We love this bike. We will be very sad when we can’t use it anymore for transporting children, especially over the winter months when the weather’s at its worst. We are trying to find ways to adapt it – we have recently taken out the third seat and we’re hoping to fix a box on the back for all the bags to create more room for legs in the cabin! We REALLY wish we had discovered e-cargo bike about 3 years previously to really make the most of it going to and fro round the town, to nursery and school.
I highly recommend the Riese and Muller Load 75 e-cargo bike. (Not an affiliate link. Just more photos to whet your appetite because we love it so much!) Big thanks to Electric Bike Scotland for their on-going fantastic support and maintenance of our beloved Night Fury. What a cracking store, great customer service! (Also not an affiliate link)
