urbanism

Virgin Media’s broadband cabinets were stripped of their metal covers in Nottinghamshire this autumn, leaving residents worried about exposed wiring and untidy streets. For us at ETA, the thefts carried an odd sense of déjà vu. In April we imagined a world where cyclists disguised their bikes as those very boxes – rideable sheds hidden in plain sight. The joke, of course, was that nowhere is truly safe. Thieves will steal anything, from locked bikes to the cabinets bolted into the ground that might have concealed them.

E-bike batteries are costly to make and quick to wear out, but Brighton studio Gomi is finding new life for them as power banks – a step towards greener cycling.

E-bike batteries are compact, valuable and increasingly targeted by thieves. Many insurers exclude battery-only theft — ETA treats the battery as integral to the bike, offering true cover.

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Cargo e-bikes are replacing the school run and second cars for thousands of UK families, but once you’re carrying children the practical considerations change. From handling, seats and visibility to theft cover and breakdown support, here’s how to ride with confidence.

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Britain has poured billions into subsidising electric cars and charging points, but electric bikes receive no support. With cycling projects returning £5–13 in benefits for every £1 spent, are we backing the wrong horse?

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