Ultimate urban electric bicycle: RadMini

The ultimate urban electric bicycle needs to be tough, compact and ready to haul cargo – tasks the new RadMini is built to handle with ease.

If the Brompton is a Morris Minor, the RadMini is the Hummer of folding bicycles. Fitted as standard, 4”-wide, all-terrain tyres more than soak up potholes, a folding frame makes multi-modal travel a breeze and heavy duty front and rear cargo racks put both Morrisons, and Morocco, within reach. With the bike fully laden with 50kg of cargo, powerful 180mm front and 160mm rear disk brakes with automatic power shutoff, stop you easily and shut off power to the motor even if the throttle is accidentally applied.

So what’s the rub? Well at around £1,000, it’s certainly not the price, but unfortunately for commuters in Britain who fancy trading their car for this tough and stylish cargo bike, its 750 watt 48 volt power system falls foul of current law that defines electric bicycles. It’s a ludicrous situation because the Radmini tops out at 20mph – a speed easily attained by a cyclist on a conventional road bike.

Radmini: Ready to ride

Unlike most bicycles on sale today, the Radmini comes equipped with a set of lights. The LED headlight runs directly from the battery pack and is controlled via a switch on the handlebars.

A large LCD screen on the handlebars displays battery charge, distance travelled, power consumption, and speed. Two USB charging ports allow you to charge your portable electronics while on the go.

radpowerbikes.com

ETA Cycle Insurance covers all road-legal electric bicycles, ebikes and pedelecs

If your pedelec weighs less than 60 kg, and its output does not exceed 250 W/15.5 mph, it can be covered under ETA cycle insurance at no additional cost. Every ETA cycle insurance policy includes the following as standard:

• Theft, accidental damage & vandalism
• Battery theft cover
• Cycle Rescue (breakdown cover for your electric bicycle and you)
• No devaluation of your bike over time
• £5m third party PLUS £20,000 personal accident cover
• Shed and garage storage
• Low standard excess of 5% (£25 minimum)
• 90 days’ worldwide travel cover
• Any rider covered to use your bike

Read a full list of what is covered here

Get a quote for ETA Cycle Insurance

Up to 250W covered

When you compare cycle insurance for your electric bicycle, it is vitally important to check the small print. Almost every single pedelec or electric bicycle sold and in use in Britain today is rated at 250 W. However, some cycle insurers do not cover bikes over 200 W. Cycle insurance from the ETA extends its definition of a cycle to include any mechanically or electronically-assisted bicycle weighing less than 60 kg and with an output not exceeding 250 W /15.5 mph.

Battery theft

If the battery for your electric bicycle is secured with a key (as most are), or requires any type of tool to remove, then it is covered against theft by our cycle insurance policy. Get a quote

Utility bike folders

The term city friendly cargo bike can seem like an oxymoron. If you live in a dense urban environment, chances are you could find a use for full-size cargo bike and yet it’s unlikely you will have storage facilities for a trike.

The Cargo Node is a collaboration between folder specialists Tern and cargo bike gurus Extrabike that offers the prospect of car-free city living to a new audience. With the ability to carry a payload of 160 kg, big wheels and robust rear carrier, it’s a cargo bike in every sense and yet it folds down to one third of its size in only ten seconds.

The cargo bike fits inside a lift, car boot and can be carried into a flat on aboard a train without difficulty.

The cargo bike that folds..

The Tern Cargo Node will sell for the equivalent of £1,200 in America when it goes on sale next year. Prices in Britain have yet to be confirmed.

Environmentally friendly cycle insurance

On the face of it, one cycle insurance policy is much like another, but the devil is the detail. How much excess you will be charged is just one of the things that varies wildly between providers. Another is so called ‘new-for-old’ replacement – many insurers use this term, but if your bicycle is more than a few years old, devalue it severely. This means you are left out of pocket when you come to replace it. Read our insider guide to cycle insurance.

Furthermore, every cycle insurance policy you buy from us helps support the work of the ETA Trust, our charity campaigning for a cleaner, safer transport future.

ETA cycle insurance has a low standard excess of 5% (minimum £25) and offers a new-for-old for life – however old the bike, if it’s stolen you get enough to buy a new model.

For 25 years we have been providing straightforward, affordable bicycle insurance. Whether you use your bike to commute, shop, race or amble in the park, ETA Cycle Insurance has you covered. We never devalue bikes no matter their age, allow you to buy your replacement bike wherever you like, replace stolen quick release components and handle claims in-house.

The Good Shopping Guide voted us to be an ethical company like no other.