What’s the best transport for a 16 year old?
Posted by Ok_Bed8331@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 23 comments
Hey everyone,
I’m a 16 year old who lives in the uk and have been debating for too long now what I should invest in for independent travel.
I work multiple shifts so have 140 a week coming in, and have 1.2k saved.
I need whatever I buy to be able to get an easy 25 mile round trip in around 5 times a week.
I’ve been debating a moped, pedal assist e bike, or e bike conversion kit- however would prefer something legal.
If anyone has any recommendations of bikes or what I should do it would be MASSIVELY appreciated.
Thanks a lot 😆
Marzipan_civil@reddit
If you're working you might be able to get an ebike under the bike to work scheme. However bike to work repayments can't reduce your income to less than minimum wage, so if you're already on minimum then it wouldn't work out.
Familiar9709@reddit
Public transport + walking + cycling + uber
Successful-Tap-50@reddit
Space hopper
MiserableWinter636@reddit
I love riding a moped as a kid. Even if it was more expensive. Freedom and it’s just so fun buzzing about meeting your mates. Good road experience aswell.
Ok_Bed8331@reddit (OP)
How much do you think it would be all in for a 50?
And do you think the slow speed makes them dangerous, that’s what I’ve been hearing a lot.
Thanks!
MiserableWinter636@reddit
Yea they can be but only of you are riding on country roads or a roads alot. Perfect for around town. You can take the washer restrictor out of most and they will do 35/40mph. don’t buy a 4 stroke 50cc though, they are very slow, Probably get a reasonable moped for £600. Cbt i think is around £130 and tax is £20ish and your insurance i have no idea but id say around the £500 mark as a guess
pr1vatepiles@reddit
Bus, pedal bike or walk. Keep saving and put it towards a car and driving lessons.
MercatorLondon@reddit
Driving scooter was actually cheaper than taking a bus.
I had to take two buses to my work (2 x £1.75) there and back = £7 (capped at £5)
Scooter running cost was around £1.5/day
owotnsosnfb@reddit
Build your own ebike
Impossible_Volume811@reddit
What’s your route?
If it has to be by road then I’d suggest a 50cc scooter.
Get one that hasn’t been messed about with, wear all the gear and ride defensively.
If you can ride off road the an e-bike or if you have pedal bike already you can add a motorised wheel kit.
If you look on eBay you can find Swytch kit wheels and batteries for a lot less than new
https://ebay.us/m/1n2ja9 (check the wheel size matches the bike.)
Ok_Bed8331@reddit (OP)
It’s abit of a mix between quite busy roads to be fair. That’s the reason I’m putting of a moped, potentially to slow or dangerous.
RJTHF@reddit
I had a moped at 16, and if not much has changed in the last few years cost wise id reccomend it. I got a pretty crap one for £400, and sold it a year later when i was 17 for £380- once theyre at the bottom they cant really depreciate much more.
An e-bike is a decent idea, but if you want to get a 125cc later the first years noclaims really knocks down the price. Theyre also harder and less attractive to steal than an ebike, so throw in a decent chain and you shljldnt have to worry too much.
Just get good gloves!
Ok_Bed8331@reddit (OP)
thank you!!
SuperDinkle406@reddit
Do you have a bus or train option if the weather is terrible? If so, then I would get a legal ebike. A moped would be more money, when you add the insurance, tax etc. However, consider how secure your parking will be before buying an e bike.
Ok_Bed8331@reddit (OP)
Yeah that’s the problem, a few of the journeys are for going to my mma gym, however it’s on quite a rough estate and there’s no where in the building I could store it.
There are busses however they’re RIDICULOUSLY long 🤣
I think I am going to get an e bike potentially…..maybe a foldable one?
terminashunator@reddit
A 25 mile round trip commute will get irritating after a few months on a bike. That's about an hour each way, on top of your work shift.
FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit
Be very careful of e-bike conversions. A lot of house fires have happened from charging e-bike conversion batteries.
Best to stick to an e-bike that was put together by a manufacturer that meets UK or EU standards.
Whatever you get, pay for good security: a serious (Sold Secure Gold or better) lock and always, always lock the bike to a solid object when you're not sitting on it (unless it's indoors behind a locked door).
PetitPxl@reddit
ebike conversion kit is perfectly legal as long as it's max 250w and doesn't have a throttle. (ie Bafang)
They're easy to fit if you know bikes, but quite a lot for a complete novice as you'll need some special tools.
cost is about £500+ donor bike so you might want to look for a second hand one with it already installed.
Rude-Possibility4682@reddit
Don't buy an E bike off Amazon. It's tempting with cheap prices, but you'll get no support if it goes wrong. Find a bike shop, that will sell and give you a warranty, as if anything goes wrong, then they can source parts or the problem.
Pocket_Aces1@reddit
You're 16 so you'll be limited to a 50cc moped, add insurance, and the risk of it being stolen, you'll be better off getting an E-bike. Many will easily be able to do 25 miles, and you can charge the battery each day/other day. You can look for used as they're usually cheaper.
I haven't got any recommendations but to just do your research within your budget. Don't go cheap cheap but no need to fork out loads. Once you get older, have more money coming in, etc, then learning to drive a car would probably be best (but riding a motorcycle is fun).
Keep it legal:))
Ok_Bed8331@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
Yeah, this has been what I’ve been thinking. A motorcycle is super tempting for me so I’m thinking I may try get a pedal assist and then- when I’m 17- a 125cc bike.
Thanks for the input!
Jankye1987@reddit
I think this is a good idea. But I’d also look at getting it insured against theft. It probably wouldn’t cost a lot, might even be covered in house insurance.
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