E-bikes a Big Hit in Nelson
The Salvation Army provided Nelson Tasman Bays Housing First staff members Sam Paynter (Property and Projects) and Alby Pahl (Peer Support Worker) with e-bikes in February. Since then, the pair have clocked up approximately 2800kms between them, and testify to the benefits of e-bike use for their health and mental wellbeing.
At the beginning of this year the Nelson Tasman Bays Community Ministries team doubled in size. And while many support workers need vehicles to transport clients to appointments and meetings, Sam explains that for others, e-bikes just made more sense economically and environmentally.
‘In a relatively small city with decent cycle infrastructure it makes sense to switch to e-bikes. I’m 50/50 in the office and out in the field so with the e-bike I can go 10kms out of my way and not get puffed!’
Sam works in maintenance and can usually fit the tools he needs in his e-bike’s saddle bags, but for bigger jobs he has access to the van. But it’s the journey to and from work where the e-bike really comes into its own, providing Sam with an opportunity for reflection and mental decompression.
‘It’s a great transition between work and home. In the morning it’s about getting the blood moving and I’m fully awake and raring to go when I arrive at work,’ he says. ‘And it’s great at the end of the day because we face some challenging situations and there are some hard choices that must be made. So having that transition between work and home where you are exercising really helps you to switch off from work by the time you get home.’
For peer support worker Alby there’s another facet that undergirds his passion for his e-bike. Following a serious accident, Alby sports various surgical plates and screws in his pelvis. Riding to work keeps him fit and limber and prevents his body from seizing up, and at the end of the working day he can take the scenic route home.
‘Like any city nowadays the traffic congestion in Nelson is shocking so it’s easier to get around on my bike. And when I head home, even though I only live 5kms away, I will bike around the waterfront which adds another 5kms because it’s time for me to just be me for a bit and shut off from work. Whether it’s sunshine, rain or hail, I ride in it all!’
