megumin999
Regular
Hi all, I'd like to start commuting along the Paddington arm into central london to avoid having to use TfL services but needed some advice regarding the logistics of it. I have a choice between buying an electric scooter (Xiaomi M365 Pro, ~£500) or an electric pedal-assist bike (Japanese make/mama-chari, ~£800-£900), which one would be more suitable? NB: I don't want a normal MTB/road bike as I'd like to ride around hilly areas/parks effortlessly and dutch/step-throughs look nicer.
My questions are:
1. How busy is the canal towpath on my route from 8-9am and 5-7pm? Is it quite congested during peak hours?
2. What would my average speed be? Both the scooter and bike would be limited to around 15mph.
3. Are there any rough patches e.g. gravel or silty paths between alperton and little venice? Depending on the severity I don't think a scooter's 8 inch wheels could handle that.
4. I have a weird fear of riding alongside the canal and falling in since the path would be on the right of the canal and therefore I would have to ride on the left of the path so next to the water. For this, I feel safer on a scooter as I can afford to ride a bit more inside due to the smaller size compared to having to stay outside and away from pedestrians on a dutch-style bike. Am I being too paranoid here?
5. How safe is the canal during those hours?
6. If I needed to commute even further such as along Regents Canal, what would that be like? Are both canal routes good for going into central london and City of london?
anything else you'd recommend?
My questions are:
1. How busy is the canal towpath on my route from 8-9am and 5-7pm? Is it quite congested during peak hours?
2. What would my average speed be? Both the scooter and bike would be limited to around 15mph.
3. Are there any rough patches e.g. gravel or silty paths between alperton and little venice? Depending on the severity I don't think a scooter's 8 inch wheels could handle that.
4. I have a weird fear of riding alongside the canal and falling in since the path would be on the right of the canal and therefore I would have to ride on the left of the path so next to the water. For this, I feel safer on a scooter as I can afford to ride a bit more inside due to the smaller size compared to having to stay outside and away from pedestrians on a dutch-style bike. Am I being too paranoid here?
5. How safe is the canal during those hours?
6. If I needed to commute even further such as along Regents Canal, what would that be like? Are both canal routes good for going into central london and City of london?
anything else you'd recommend?