Once a week, I try to pick up our four-year-old via my e-bike. We ride to the park and then home or go get snacks. Working at IU and living in Bloomington, we are lucky to use my e-bike as our second car. When we moved here three years ago, we sold our second car. The e-bike has allowed us to be a two-working-parent household. Cycling as a person with small children looks different than in my days of endless touring but it made dealing with the pandemic exercise woes many experienced so much easier.
I was already a year-round commuter and my kid already loved coming with me. Last summer, purchased a Wehoo trailer with a weather bonnet to make school pickups and adventures easier. I have a hearty kid and as long as the weather isn't too dangerous, we can go wherever! My kid loves to help by peddling. She will definitely be a cyclist when she gets older. I hear a lot of people say, "I would never been that brave" when they see us out. Usually the kid's R2-D2 helmet draws interest. They think riding with a kid is scary or hard. The reality is it allows us all to get quality low-stress time, which is so precious in a pandemic!
Many people can ride with the right gear and a lot of planning. Eliminating a car allowed us to afford an e-bike and trailer that could support this sort of recreation and transport. While e-bikes are still expensive, they offer so many options to cyclists of all abilities and with all sorts of commutes. They also make tremendous car replacements. I'm a bit evangelical about them! If we inspire one person to get out and ride, then we've done a great job!