Growing up, I've always lived in big cities. I'm talking Jakarta, Hong Kong, and now London – cities with thousands, even millions of cars, yet I've never once driven.
In London, taking an Uber is incredibly easy. I press a button on my phone and voila! A driver is less than five minutes away from my house and will pick me up and take me to my destination shortly. What a dream! Well, if only it was that easy.
Sadly, London is incredibly expensive, and the average Uber journey lands somewhere around $20 USD (that's without surge, rush hour, etc. taken into account) which means that in the long run, it just isn't feasible – especially not for young people.
So what is the solution? A bike, of course.
In London, the average commuter spends approximately £120 GBP (around $160 USD) per month on commuting, whether that is using the bus, train, or tube. In the long run, that's also a lot of money – money that could be invested on a bike.
Enter: VanMoof.
I've toyed with the idea of getting a bike for a long time. After all, it is the fastest and easiest way to get around the city.
As a loyal user of Uber bikes, I've recognized the value of an electric bike. It can take you anywhere incredibly fast, and get you there without you needing to put all your power into biking, leaving you soaked in sweat.
Today, Amsterdam-based VanMoof launched its two new bikes, dubbed the S5 and A5, and once again has set out to "revolutionize how people experience their cities across the world."
"This isn’t just a quantum leap for e-mobility, but for the future of our cities as a whole," said the label.
For those of you that love the technology behind the bike, you'll be fascinated by the new Gen 5 motor. There's even a Boost button, which will make you accelerate at warp speed. The bikes also feature a long-range battery, meaning that you can cycle for hours on end.
I know what you're thinking. "Someone will steal it!" and yes, that too is a big fear of mine, and also part of the reason why I've not pulled the trigger when it comes to buying a bike of my own.
But, every VanMoof comes with anti-theft technology! "Our iron-clad protection puts bike thieves out of business," the label explains.
With VanMoof's "Peace of Mind" service, they have literal bike hunters who will hunt dow your bike or replace it, should it tragically be stolen. There are also Bike Doctors, who help you with any technical problems.
VanMoof is already present in over 50 cities and has big names such as Frank Ocean and Tyler, The Creator on its long list of fans.
It is all about changing the narrative around biking and encouraging more people to see more of their city whilst doing so.
You don't need to rock up in spandex with sports sunglasses on – you can enjoy a leisurely ride, too. And even a fashionable one, thanks to collaborations with labels like Jacquemus and GANNI.
With the increasing prices of public transportation, as well as Uber's and taxi in big cities, investing in a VanMoof might just be in our best interest – and the label knows that.
"We want to make our cities greener, cleaner and happier places to live. And the more people that join the revolution, the better – that’s why our e-bikes are now more accessible than ever."
The VanMoof S5 and A5 are currently available via the label's waitlist, which launched today online, or through an early access code.
Retailing at £2,298 (just about $3,000 USD) it is certainly an investment, but it is one that VanMoof hopes more young people will make, to therefore completely rewrite the narrative around transportation – and we're all on board.
