Record petrol prices, stress in traffic jams and environmental pollution anyway: We explain why switching to an (e-)bike now in spring is the ultimate game changer for your wallet, your fitness and your quality of life.
At a time when geopolitical instabilities - such as the current war in Iran and Ukraine - are driving crude oil prices to unimagined heights, filling up with petrol is becoming a luxury for many commuters. But the price at the petrol pump is just the tip of the iceberg. The stress of commuting, the burden of environmental responsibility and an increasingly sedentary lifestyle are taking their toll. It's time for a change. Especially now in spring, when nature awakens, switching to a bicycle offers a liberation that goes far beyond the financial aspects.
1. profitability analysis: the investment duel
A comparison between a mid-range car and a high-quality SUV e-mountainbike reveals a massive discrepancy in capital commitment and running costs. While the car is often seen as a necessary evil, the bike proves to be a highly efficient asset.
Acquisition and depreciation
A typical mid-range VW Golf today costs around 40,000 euros. A premium-class SUV e-mountainbike, which is suitable for both commuting to work and touring through easy terrain, costs around €5,000.
However, the decisive factor is the Loss of value. A new car loses around 40 to 50 per cent of its value in the first three years - in our example, a loss of around 18,000 euros. The percentage loss in value of an e-bike is similar, but the absolute loss in value is 8 to 9 times lower.
Leasing advantages: The company bike privilege
While the company car privilege is usually reserved for management or the sales force, the Bicycle leasing (via deferred compensation) has conquered the mass market. The 0.25 per cent rule and the savings on taxes and social security contributions massively reduce the monthly net burden for the employee. A bike costing €5,000 often only costs around €80 to €100 per month (depending on income and tax bracket) - including insurance and full service maintenance. For most employees, the car remains a purely private, fully taxed burden.
Comparison of operating costs (basis: 100 km/week)
In an urban-rural mix, a modern petrol car consumes around 7 litres per 100 km. With fuel prices heading towards 2.20 euros and more as a result of the Iran crisis, fuel alone costs over 60 euros a month - and that's still a generous 2.10 per litre. Added to this are vehicle tax, insurance and parking fees.
The e-bike requires around 0.7 to 1 kWh of electricity to cover the same distance - at a cost of around 0.35 euros per week. In the overall balance, the car results in a financial burden of over 22,000 euros, calculated over three years, whereas the e-bike only costs around 2500 euros.
| Calculated over 3 years | Car | E-bike |
| Loss of value | approx. 18,000 € | approx. 2,250 € |
| Operating costs (energy/fuel) | approx. 2,400 € (at 2.10 €/L) | approx. 60 € |
| Maintenance & wear | approx. 1,800 € (inspection, tyres) | approx. 250 € (chain, brakes, service) |
| Insurance & Tax | approx. 2,100 € | approx. 0 € (often included in leasing) |
| Total costs (estimated) | approx. 22,400 € | approx. 2,550 € |
2 The ecological balance sheet: resources and emissions
The ecological footprint of a car is gigantic even before the first kilometre is driven. The production of a mid-range car devours tonnes of steel, aluminium, plastics and rare earths for the electronics. The energy required for production is often equivalent to several years of driving.
Production and transport
A bicycle weighs approx. 25 kilos, a car approx. 1,500 kilos. The ratio of 1:60 is directly reflected in the consumption of resources. The transport route from the factory to the dealer is also negligible in terms of energy consumption compared to transporting a car by ship or lorry.
The company
While the car emits considerable amounts of CO2 per kilometre, the bicycle is almost climate-neutral. Even an e-bike only emits around 2 to 5 grams of CO2 per kilometre, taking into account the German electricity mix. A combustion engine often emits 150 to 200 grams in real terms. On short journeys in the city, where the engine does not warm up, the car's balance is even more devastating due to inefficient combustion and high brake wear (particulate matter).
3. health and quality of life: therapy on two wheels
The psychological stress of rush hour has been scientifically proven. Traffic jams, noise and the constant fear of delays trigger the release of cortisol. The car isolates us in a metal capsule, while the bike connects us with the environment.
Physical resilience
Pedalling in the morning activates your cardiovascular system. The increased heart rate pushes oxygen-rich blood through the blood vessels and awakens the lungs. This strengthens the immune system and reduces the risk of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Spring in particular supports this effect: the absorption of vitamin D through sunlight, breathing in the fresh air and the scent of nature in bloom have a rejuvenating effect.
Psychological freedom and social components
Cycling has a meditative component. "It clears your head," say many commuters. The rhythmic movement reduces stress hormones even before you reach the office or arrive back home.
In leisure time, the bike becomes a piece of sports equipment, tours through forests, along narrow paths, along rivers or over mountains broaden the horizon of experience.
Social life benefits just as much: after-work rides together or commuting in the "bike bubble" with colleagues promote a sense of community. The bike is not just a means of transport, but a lifestyle object that connects people.
4 The concept of consistent mobility
Giving up the car completely may seem radical at first. But on closer inspection, it is a gain in flexibility. If you use your bike for your daily commute, you save time as you no longer have to look for a parking space.
The formula for modern mobility is:
- Short and medium-haul: The (e-)bike - healthy, fast, affordable.
- Spontaneous large-scale transport: Use Car-Sharing services.
- Weekend & holiday: The train as a (admittedly not always) relaxed means of travelling; at the destination you cycle again.
Even if you don't want to get rid of the car altogether, the bicycle can easily replace the expensive second car in some families. The savings can easily finance the next family holiday.
Conclusion: time to make the switch
The current global situation and rising prices are a wake-up call. The car in the city and on the way to work is a relic of the 20th century - expensive, inefficient and a burden. The bicycle is the answer for the 21st century. Because the switch offers a win-win-win situation: Financial, because enormous savings can be made on purchase, leasing and maintenance. Ecological, because cycling instead of driving is an active contribution to climate protection by minimising the consumption of resources. And ppersonally, because switching from car to bike means more fitness, less stress and a significantly higher quality of life through experiencing nature and exercise.
That's why you should use spring as a catalyst. Leave the car behind, feel the wind and enjoy the feeling of freedom. Get on your bike instead of your car - for your bank balance, the environment and, above all, for yourself!
Josh Welz
Editor-in-Chief
