Meet Christine, a long-time Princeton resident, Executive Director here at Sustainable Princeton, and a devoted cyclist who’s recently taken her ride to the next level. Car-free for years, Christine has always relied on a people-powered bike to get around. But this spring, just in time for National Bike Month, she made the switch to an e-bike!
Car-Free Christine
Christine gave up her car years ago, making the bold move to go car-free once her lease ended. She always got around by walking, her people-powered bike, public transit, carpooling, or Uber/Lyft. She had been wanting to add an e-bike to her car-free transportation options, but knew she needed specific features, so she waited until the right e-bike came along.
Christine's New Ride
This spring, Christine finally found the perfect match, a new model from Aventon, equipped with features that gave her peace of mind and added convenience. “I was looking for an e-bike with certain types of features, this bike comes with a number of anti-theft features which was really important because I live in an apartment and I don’t have a place where I can lock my bike.”
Aventon’s e-bike checks all the boxes and more. With built-in theft prevention tools like geofencing, where she can set a certain range it can ride, and alerts for unusual movement, Christine feels confident securing it outside. Plus, she is able to remove and charge just the battery which makes life in an apartment much simpler. A cool bonus feature is that there are blinkers on the back of the bike too! Several new e-bike models have these features and we encourage you to check them out at local bikeshops!
Oh, the Places She’ll Go
The e-bike has already expanded Christine’s world. She is now able to ride to the gym and the marketplace shopping center on Route 1. She shared, “If I get tired, I can give it a little boost.”
Christine’s also planning more adventurous rides, like visiting Mountain Lakes, a hilly area that will be more manageable with her new ride. And it’s not just about distance; the throttle helps Christine feel safer when starting from a stop, allowing her to regain her balance.
Christine’s Tips for New Riders
For those considering ditching the car or just adding more bike rides to their routine, Christine’s advice is “It really takes getting out there and starting to feel more comfortable on your bike.”
She also shared some tips about safety, “Always wear a helmet and only use the battery that came with your e-bike.” Cheap, high-voltage replacement batteries are the cause of many e-bike fires. If there are any issues with your battery, contact the manufacturer directly.
Take Action: Join the Movement at Ciclovia!
Want to experience the joy of car-free streets for yourself? Don’t miss Ciclovia on June 22nd from 10 AM to 2 PM, happening on Walnut Lane from Hamilton to Guyot.
Ciclovia transforms the street into a car-free public space for walking, biking, dancing, and playing. It’s free and open to everyone — a celebration of community, movement, and sustainability.
Come meet other folks like Christine who are exploring new ways to get around and maybe even test ride an e-bike yourself.
