Will an Urban Arrow cargo bike really save me money? Numbers breakdown
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- Опубликовано: 26 авг 2024
- Welcome to my first proper video. This video explains the steps I took to determine if an Urban Arrow cargo bike would save my family money when used instead of our second car.
If you want to run your own numbers you can download a copy of my spreadsheet here:
docs.google.co...
Subscribe if you'd like to see more. :)
I am not an accountant and the more I thought about the analysis the more complex it became! Depreciation is huge for both a car and frankly, the Urban Arrow. Most people can’t buy a new car with cash so they pay finance charges (let’s say $800/month). But maybe you can pay cash for a new Urban Arrow, so that is a big win right there. Opportunity Costs: Money spent making $800 monthly car payments can’t be saved and invested at 8% per year so that is about $10000 a year lost. It’s complicated! Let’s keep it simple: Some say the real cost of a typical car is about $1000/month. If the real cost of an Urban Arrow is say $250/month you can quickly see that an e-bike is cheap compared to a new car. We replaced one car with a cargo bike a few years ago and we seem to have noticeably more money to spend on other things. My non-scientific total eye-ball guess is that the Urban Arrow will pay for itself in about 3 years. After that, it’s saving you $1000/month.
Nice video! You did a pretty good job on factoring in all the variables of the cost. However, the estimates missed one important item: depreciation. Those cars have been losing value ever since you bought them and are losing it with every mile and year. I think once the cost of depreciation of the cars and the residual value of the bike are factored in, you'll find the ROI will come sooner.
Ooh, yeah I didn't think about depreciation. Good point
I'm currently waiting on delivery of my first e-bike. I'm in Ireland but apart from that, I have been looking at videos for e-bike motor and battery servicing and repairs.
I'm guessing there will be a 2 year warranty with the motor and battery on your UA? Possibly more?
I have no idea about North America, but certainly in Europe there are a growing number of independent e-bike motor and battery service centres which will repair, refurbish or replace worn out parts and components for a lot less than fully authorised dealers. Just like with a car and going to an independent garage instead of to the main dealer.
Batteries in particular losing a lot of power can have individual faulty cells replaced instead of the entire battery saving a lot of money.
And with motors, do not subject them to direct water like hoses or power washers and don't let them get immersed in water in floods or anything else. Water ingress is the biggest killer of e-bike motors according to the videos I have watched.
And for keeping dry in wet weather on your new bakfiets I would recommend a good big rain poncho.
It keeps you completely covered AND your battery, motor and electronics on your handlebars. Easy on and easy off.
Stay safe.
Ah man, I've been wondering about getting a poncho. I'm not crazy about how they look but the practicality may win out.
And I'll have to do some research when it comes to servicing my bike. Haven't gotten that far yet, lol
@@KidsAndBicycles Not going to continue bothering you but this is just too funny not to share briefly. Algorithms on RUclips can work in funny ways.
I read your reply to my other video comment and checked your other comment underneath and it was from the newly renamed channel formerly known as bikeshopgirl.
I had actually just left another comment there today about my preference for a bike poncho and actually got a reply with links to Arleigh's preferred rain clothing.
I just thought it was hilarious how the algorithm brought me in contact with you both today from thousands of miles away across the Atlantic.
I am looking at mostly commuting and cargo biking channels because they reflect what I'm doing with bicycles in my life. I like to learn from others experience and often share my own whether useful or otherwise.
My preference for a poncho is partly because I'm 2 metres tall which is over 6'6 and a big plastic sheet hanging over me works very well. It's actually a moped/motorbike poncho so it's probably even bigger than an actual bike poncho but then, everything in my life has to be a little bit bigger anyway!
On mature reflection, it possibly could get in the way trying to get your arms around it and deal with organising little humans in a small covered cabin space?
But check out what's available and whatever you think will work for you.
Stay safe out there.
And dry!!!!
Genuine Question, why would you buy an urban arrow in particular, when there are so many cheaper options? You could probably get 3 radwagons for the price of a single arrow. $7k? At that price you could get an electric motorcycle and a trailer for it.
We have a radwagon and an Urban Arrow. We got the UA because of the low center of gravity, safety factor of the box, and the ability to carry an infant. With two kids the Radwagon 4 at least was a bit tippy and top-heavy, and in fact I have tipped over in the rain on it. Presumably it is better with the new RW5, but there is no beating the stability of a box bike when you have two kids.
The electric motorcycle with a trailer is intriguing, but not legal on the bike paths where I live!
I agree with the other commenter. Low center of gravity was really important to me and I wanted the kids in the front where I could see them. I'm also a little hard of hearing and knew I would not be able to hear a word the kids said if they sat behind me. (And I needed to be able to break up fights...) I don't want a motorcycle because I want to get some exercise when I ride. Honestly, I probably will buy a radwagon or something similar in a few years, once the kids are a little bigger. I did another video on how I ended up buying an Urban Arrow if you're interested:
ruclips.net/video/Ntyq96aqZ0M/видео.html
@@KidsAndBicycles Even then, surely there must be a similar style of bike for a cheaper price, $7000 for an e-bike is ludicrous. You could probably get one for half as much and have no noticeable change in quality, performance, and maintenance.
Rad wagons are no where near as quality as other European branded and manufactured cargo bikes. A bakfiet, especially a European designed/made one will almost always incur a higher cost simply due to the cost of importation. Couple the fact that most all front loaders are mid drive assist e-bikes and you automatically have a higher ticket item than a long tail, especially a hub motor long tail like the radwagon. Add to the fact that most front loaders have better equipment as standard you have a bike that commands a high price tag. My muli st was 7500 cdn and hasn’t skipped a beat.
man gas is almost free in USA, no wonder everyone drives
Yeah, it varies a lot by region and state but it is pretty cheap where I live.
@@KidsAndBicycles Just to chip in, after some very complex mathematics ( :P ) gas in Ireland at the moment is currently equivalent to $7.40 per US gallon. Good thing my new cargo bike arrives in a week or two! Really enjoying your videos so far, your parks and trails are very nice and you're exploring them in such a nice way with your kids!