The Lab’s partnership with Ridepanda, a bike and e-bike leasing company, provides members with alternative commute options to help ease parking challenges. We spoke with Peter Nugent, Senior Scientist and Division Deputy for Science Engagement for the Applied Mathematics and Computational Research Division, to discuss his transition to e-bike commuting through Ridepanda.

Q: How did you first hear about Ridepanda?

Peter Nugent: I was walking down from where I had parked above the ALS to Building 50 when I saw them with the tent and all these bikes out there. I asked, “Hey, what’s this?” and they described the program to me. I said I’d love to try out an e-bike and see what it was like.

Q: What motivated you to start using an ebike for your commute to the Lab?

Peter: When I first came to the Lab, I lived in El Cerrito and I biked to the Lab. But then we moved to Orinda, and I did not want to have to take a shower when I came into work, nor did I feel like taking another shower when I got home going up over the hill. So biking was out. I also had kids, and we’re dropping them off at school and all that. But now we’re empty nesters.

The other thing was, the road in Wildcat Canyon down at the end of Tilden Park and right before you got to Orinda had a landslide, so I couldn’t go that way to work. My commute went from 14 minutes to 30 minutes by the time it took me to find parking at the Lab and then walk all the way to my door.

When I saw this e-bike I thought, oh, well, if it can get me up over the hill and I don’t sweat when I’m going home. So I got a pedal assist bike, which gives me a little bit of a workout when I go up over the hill, but nothing that floors me. Turns out, I can get from my house, walking out my front door, to walking into my office in 30 minutes. It’s exactly the same as taking my car, so I went ahead and rented.

Q: What type of e-bike did you rent?

Peter: I have this Specialized Turbo Vado which is sort of on their higher end. I’m a big guy, and getting up over the hill, you need a little more power, and so it does that. If you’ve ever been out the back of the Lab, it’s a dramatic change in elevation. The great thing about testing the bikes out here was that I just went and did it. I biked all the way out to Blackberry Gate and up the hill, and I was like, okay, this can be done easily. It made the choice very easy to make.

I set it up with a pannier, so I can put my bags in it and it’s been perfect. I pretty much take it all the time except when it’s raining.

Q: What has been the biggest benefit or surprise about switching to an e-bike?

Peter: Thirty minutes that is uninterrupted in each direction where I can just think and I’m not taking a phone call, I’m not listening to the radio — that has been absolutely wonderful. It’s nice to get disconnected and just go through the park and get a little exercise. I can definitely tell I’m in better shape than I was when I started this. So that’s nice.

If I don’t get in before 8 o’clock when driving, I basically have to park about a half mile plus away from Building 50, and then it’s a nice long walk downhill. Then in the afternoon when I’m heading home, it’s a nice long walk back up. So to be able to park and lock my bike right outside my office has been just fantastic.

Q: What advice would you give to colleagues who are considering an e-bike for their commute?

Peter: Try one out that’s going to cover the same distance and type of ride that you have. My ride is 15 miles a day up over probably several hundred feet of elevation change, and the charge is just good enough. I get home with 20% to spare, and that’s perfect. I recharge it during the night, and it’s ready to go the next day. You want to make sure that whatever distance you’re going, it’s comfortable, and you’re getting just the amount of exercise you want. So try it out. You can rent them locally and just do it for the weekend and see what it’s like.

Also, don’t be afraid to explore. You often have in mind, this is the way I drive in, so this is the way I’ll bike here. There are other routes, so don’t be afraid to explore.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Peter: It’s a really nice program the Lab has. I think eventually I’ll transition to buying my own bike, but this has been a great way to determine all the seasons and the changes, and when I want to bike, and when I don’t. It’s been very nice to have this opportunity.