Toby’s First Ride: How an E-Bike Transformed Our Family Commute

​Last October, on a crisp and golden morning, my 8-year-old daughter and I set out on an adventure that would quietly reshape our daily lives. Toby—our freshly purchased, sky-blue e-bike—stood waiting by the curb for its maiden voyage to school. My daughter had picked the name, and like most things she names, it stuck immediately. To add a dash of Halloween flair, we buckled in a life-sized skeleton beside her in the back seat, arms raised in a friendly wave. It wasn’t long before curious smiles, honks, and impromptu chats accompanied our ride. In that single journey, I felt more connected to our neighborhood than I ever had driving in and out of it in a car.​

---

From Monotony to Magic​

Before Toby, mornings were rushed and repetitive. We crawled through traffic and trudged through the same motions with the windows rolled up and the world shut out. Commuting felt more like a chore than anything. But the e-bike shifted everything.
Now, our school runs are highlights of the day. We breathe fresh air. We spot wildlife. We laugh about pedestrian skeleton waves. And perhaps most importantly, we bond—not only with each other, but with the community around us. Our commutes have transformed from transactional to relational.

​Why We Made the Switch

Our original motivation wasn’t whimsical—it was rooted in environmental concern. My husband and I had often worried whether we were setting the right example for our daughter, driving two gas-powered vehicles around town. But alternative options felt frustratingly out of reach. Electric vehicles weren’t in our budget. Scooters weren’t family-friendly. And biking with a trailer was less “refreshing commute” and more “intense cardio session.”
Then, our city introduced a subsidy program for e-bikes. With some research and a bit of optimism, we found the perfect model for our family—safe, sturdy, and wonderfully vibrant in color. Post-subsidy, it cost us $1,200, with negligible electricity usage and a $200 annual tune-up. Compared to the mounting costs of car maintenance and gas, it was a clear win.

​The Unexpected Benefits

Beyond the obvious—financial savings and eco-friendliness—Toby surprised us. Our daughter, seated just behind me, became an active participant in our journey. We talk about turns, traffic, and bike safety. We discuss the satisfaction of movement powered by our own bodies. When we slow down for pedestrians, she learns about respect and empathy. When we climb uphill together, she learns about effort and patience.
We also rediscovered the joy of simply saying hello. Biking opened up a channel to greet neighbors, wave at friends, and strike up conversations we’d never have had sealed behind tinted windows. Our world got bigger.

​Navigating Challenges

​Of course, it’s not all perfectly paved paths. We’ve faced our fair share of bumps—literally and figuratively. Infrastructure isn’t always designed for bikes, and routes often lack consistent lanes. We’ve run into stairs, detours, and disconnects in city planning. But instead of frustration, these moments have become teaching opportunities. We talk about what could be improved. We’ve contacted local representatives together, turning our commute into a mini civics class on wheels.

​Nature, Wellness, and Connection

The route we’ve settled on adds about five extra minutes to our journey. But those minutes are spent along a serene river trail where herons stalk fish and kestrels perch overhead. Our time outside has waned as she's grown older—homework, screen time, and busy schedules take over. But on Toby, we share quiet moments in nature that seem to anchor her emotionally. I’ve noticed how calm and cheerful she is before school. Riding together seems to energize her, creating space for unfiltered storytelling and, sometimes, deep conversations we wouldn’t otherwise have.
One afternoon, she brought up our family cat’s passing mid-ride, asking sincere, poignant questions about loss and grief. Without the pressure of direct eye contact or the confines of a quiet home, I found the words I needed more naturally. The bike had become a safe space.

​Community Through the Cold

Even winter hasn’t dampened our enthusiasm. On a recent chilly day, we pedaled home under brooding skies and falling snowflakes. At a stoplight, we heard my daughter’s name and turned to see her friend waving from an SUV beside us. I briefly worried she might feel embarrassed. But as we unbuckled our helmets in the driveway, she looked up and said, “I bet he wished he was on an e-bike too.”
I smiled. She got it.

​Final Thoughts

Five months and nearly 1,000 miles later, Toby is part of the family. What started as a decision based on sustainability bloomed into something more profound—a daily rhythm of connection, wonder, and growth. Our commutes are a little slower, sure. Sometimes colder. Occasionally challenging. But they’re also richer, full of beauty and learning and laughter.
I used to think of the e-bike as a tool. Now, I see it as a bridge—to nature, to our community, and most meaningfully, to my daughter.