With workers heading back to the office following two years of remote working[1], and petrol prices in the UK soaring to an all-time high[2], it appears many professionals are rejecting the status quo and opting for a more active mode of transport instead.

Sales data from leading sports retailer, Decathlon, show their biggest ever quarterly jump in e-bike sales, with an impressive 50% increase between Q4 2021 and Q1 2022.

It seems that the pandemic has also encouraged the nation’s newfound love of cycling, as Decathlon report a 250% increase in e-bike sales compared to the last ‘normal’ quarter before Covid, in Q1 2020.

It’s clear that the partial return to office working has undoubtedly helped fuel this increase in sales, with petrol prices continuing to rise and the average Brit now spending over £1,600 per year on petrol[3] commuters feeling the pinch are starting to look for cheaper alternatives.

The average e-bike can cost consumers around £890 and whilst it is a more expensive option to classic road bikes, commuters opting to substitute their car for an e-bike see savings within the first year. e-bikes are also fast becoming a popular choice for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

David Martin, Decathlon’s Cycling expert, comments “The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns gave people the time to try out new sports and activities, and it appears that, even with the return to the office, this trend shows no signs of slowing down.

“With such a sharp increase of e-bike uptake between the end of 2021 and now, it shows that, not only are people looking to shake up what can be a boring commute, they’re also looking for ways to remedy the huge increase of petrol prices. Given this, people are realising the long-term benefits that other forms of transport, such as e-bikes, can have, not only for their health, but also for their wallets.”

For those who are looking to ditch the gas guzzler and peddle their way to the office, Decathlon have you covered, with a wide range of e-bikes to turn the humdrum commute into an adventure. With a two-year warranty on all brands by Decathlon, and lifetime warranty on bike frames and a 365 day returns policy, you can rest assured knowing your trip to the office will be as stress free as possible. Customers also have access to excellent in-store workshop expertise, where a team of dedicated engineers handle all necessary repairs.