I love my car to bits—same with all vehicles in general. That’s why I dreamt of becoming a motoring journalist and wrote for this publication.

But I am not oblivious to the fact that the use of our steeds exacerbates the terrible traffic situation. I am also aware of the negative environmental impact of the emissions.

I’d want to be part of the solution, and my long-term plan is to replace my internal-combustion-engine vehicle with a hybrid-electric one. But getting a bicycle is the most attainable and emission-free solution for short trips.

Looking around, I found that the Fiido C11 would best suit my needs. But I wouldn’t just buy one without first trying it out. Thankfully, Popcycle let me test one for two weeks.

The bike’s proportions can be intimidating to new bikers. It’s tall, riding on big 700c rims. The 40mm tires have a slimmer profile than those on a mountain bike.

But mounting and dismounting is easy thanks to the aluminum frame’s step-through design.

The rear cogs have a seven-speed design complete with a Shimano TY300D shifter. The front and rear hydraulic dual-piston brake calipers multiply the brake force that your hands make.

The handlebar’s swept-back design is easy to reach, and the nonslip grips bookending it are a joy to hold. On top of the seat post is a very comfortable Velo vacuum full-fit saddle.

The C11 has a 500W hub motor controlled by the cadence sensor mounted at the crank or the handlebar-mounted throttle lever.

A 499.2Wh battery powers the motor, offering a 60-90km riding range. A 1.47-inch LCD screen shows vital information, while the buttons operate the horn, the headlight, and the pedal-assist level.

Compared to the D11 with smaller 20-inch wheels, the C11 has bigger wheels, requiring more effort to accelerate. However, the riding position is comfortable.

Three pedal-assist levels can be upgraded to five, if you have it unlocked. This allows it to reach up to 45km/h.

The pedal-assist system works wonders, helping me conquer gradients with ease. I barely pedaled on some trips where I relied on just the electric motor for most of my short trips.

One day, I used it to get firecrackers for the New Year festivities; another, I rode it to the market to get ingredients for the media noche feast.

I also rode it extensively around the Southwoods area, surrounded by more experienced riders on their mountain bikes and road bikes. I barely felt the imperfections on the road, thanks to the fork with shocks and meatier tires.

My bum took a beating with the D11’s saddle before. But the ones on the C11 are just so better that it was a joy to sit on.

Perhaps it’s the former’s shorter wheelbase, smaller wheels, and a rigid fork. Or maybe it’s just my porky proportion that was to blame.

During my two-week stint, I got to ride it a lot. But it got me wanting to ride more as it’s a truly enjoyable experience.

I needed to charge the bike twice even though I never really needed to do so. I just can’t tell if it’s range anxiety or if it is just me being paranoid safe.

This C11 test unit came with useful accessories, too. The Sack It x Popcycle pannier (P2,500) makes it easier to carry small items like a bag of groceries. The Norregade phone holder (P1,500) allowed me to use a navigation app while riding.

Both these accessories and more are available at Popcycle’s Taguig and Quezon City stores.

After that fact, I still thought that the C11 was the perfect choice for new bike commuters like me. It just begged to be ridden so much that it made me comfortable parting with my trusted four-wheeled steed and leaving it in its parking spot.

While I wouldn’t be able to use it extensively since most of my activities required me to ride my car, it’s something that I would lovingly use for short-distance errands. Sure, it wouldn’t be enough for me to completely part ways with my car, but you’d see me riding one a lot.

It may be hard to shell out P55,000 for a commuter bike as there are many other options like scooters, underbones, and e-trikes. But with its sheer simplicity, versatility, and low maintenance costs, choosing to get one makes much more sense.