Before you know it, you won't want anything else

Cycling to work is commonplace in the Netherlands, but for Ashley Quinn, an Australian who moved to the Netherlands ten months ago, it was a completely new experience. He now cycles regularly and has even discovered the benefits of an e-bike. His story shows how an electric bike can change not only your commute, but also your daily life.

Cycling as a new habit

Ashley Quinn, originally from Australia, works as a Process Manager at Sandvik in the Warehouse, Logistics Services, SMR Parts & Services department. Since moving to the Netherlands ten months ago, he has picked up a completely new habit: cycling to work. Where he rarely got on his bike in Australia because of the long distances and the mountainous terrain, he now cycles 6.5 kilometers one way to work on his racing bike four days a week.

An e-bike makes the difference

When he was given the opportunity to try out an electric bike through an e-bike trial, he jumped at the chance. The electric bike turned out to be a game changer. During the trial week, Ashley found that his commute became a lot easier and more comfortable. “The biggest benefit? No sweaty arrival at the office,” he says. The pedal assist allowed him to effortlessly cycle at a constant speed, making the ride not only faster but also much more fun.

But the convenience of the electric bike went beyond just commuting. Ashley also used the e-bike for other activities, such as going to the padel court and the gym. 'Normally I might take the car, but with the electric bike I could go everywhere without any effort. It made my daily planning much more flexible and faster,' he says. So the e-bike turned out to be not only practical for his work, but also ideal for his free time.

Cycling as a corporate culture

At his workplace at Sandvik, cycling is encouraged. The company offers an attractive bike plan that allows employees to purchase a bike at a reasonable price. In addition, there are good facilities, such as showers, lockers and equipped bike sheds, making it easy to start the working day refreshed. 'These facilities are really great, and I think there is still more that can be done to motivate colleagues to cycle more often,' says Ashley. 'With some extra communication and awareness, even more colleagues could switch to cycling.'

Healthy, sustainable and energetic

In his role as Process Manager, where he works on efficient logistics solutions on a daily basis, cycling fits perfectly with his way of thinking. 'For me, it's not only a healthy and sustainable way to get to work, it also gives me energy every day,' says Ashley. His tip? 'Try an electric bike. It makes your daily commute not only easier, but also a lot more fun. Before you know it, you won't want anything else.'