Freedom for school children: lifetime cost of a bike

Businesses are accustomed to calculating the lifetime cost of ownership of a motor vehicle. This is something we rarely do in our private lives. An inexpensive new car with an on-road purchase price below $20,000 will cost easily $4000 per annum when all costs are considered. For that price, a family could have a number of very nice bikes. Bikes have a lifetime cost as well and here is one example.

Bikes for kids from an early age

The Canberra bike stores are fewer, bigger and more competitive. They will usually price match. Bike stores just want the sale. Kids grow fast, and once an enthusiastic cyclist, then always a cyclist. They know you will be back. Pricing for kids bikes starts from $200 and goes up to about $500.

Stuck with no place to go: child friendly means playgrounds need toilets

Parenting is looking after your children’s needs. Public toilets are essential infrastructure for families. Taking your children to a public place means you will need a public toilet. Ride with kids and there is no quick way home. Without a toilet, a visit to the playground will end as soon as your child needs to go.

On your bike: the electric bike alternative

“Expensive” is a relative expression. We will go to the same effort to get a 5% discount whether products costs $100 or $10,000. We much prefer to have a $5 discount for cash than pay $5 more to use the credit card. Electric bikes are comparatively cheap and we are beginning to notice.

Is there a typical cyclist?

Normal is me”, but we cannot all be typical. The Canberra cyclist is many things: some are fit and some are not, some are old and some are young, both men and women. There are different types of bikes, and people ride for many reasons.