Driving the Streets of Prague in the Škoda Elroq: A Cyclist’s Perspective by Matt Stephens

By Matt Stephens

As a cyclist, my ideal vehicle is often, well, a bike. But let’s be real – sometimes you need a bit more horsepower, a bit more storage space, and let’s not forget the luxury of a roof when the heavens decide to open up. Enter the Škoda Elroq, an all-electric wonder that recently rolled into my life for a test drive around the cobbled streets and modern avenues of Prague. Put it this way, I had a lot of fun. Now, before you think I’m abandoning my two-wheeled love for four, let me assure you, the Elroq is no ordinary car; it’s a cyclist’s dream on four wheels.

First off, the Elroq is undeniably sleek. It’s got those clean lines and an aerodynamic design (we cyclists love those, of course) that make you feel like you’re driving a futuristic spaceship. But what really piqued my interest was its electric nature. The Elroq is whisper-quiet, which is particularly handy when you’re gliding through the serene, cobbled streets of Prague – no roaring engine to scare the pigeons or, more importantly, fellow cyclists. Driving the Elroq was an absolute breeze, especially with its regenerative braking system, which is a godsend, particularly when you’re coming down those steep Prague hills. It’s almost like freewheeling on a descent, but in a car!

Škoda Elroq

Now, let’s get down to the all-important bit for us cyclists – space. As two-wheeled fanatics, we’re always lugging around a fair bit of gear. Whether it’s bags full of kit, spare wheels, helmets, track pumps and more, space is a valuable premium. The Elroq offers a surprisingly roomy boot; in fact, it’s like the TARDIS in there, easily swallowing a bike frame with the wheels off or a bike with wheels on if you fold down the rear seats.

On this drive, we managed to fit a complete bike in the boot and had two more securely mounted on the roof. The roof racks are sturdy, easy to use, and don’t require a PhD in mechanical engineering to operate. This car is a bit like a mobile bike garage. Plus, there are multiple stowage points for tools and all-important snacks!

Inside, the tech-savvy cockpit of the Elroq is a cyclist’s delight. The infotainment system is intuitive and doesn’t distract from the road. It’s perfect for setting up your GPS for those cross-city adventures or tuning into your favourite cycling podcast. And the best part? It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so your smartphone becomes your co-pilot.

In fact, it’s almost as if you have a digital domestique by your side! And just in case you find yourself on one of those epic rides and need to recharge more than just your legs, the Elroq’s USB ports are aplenty, ready to juice up your Garmin, Wahoo or smartphone.

But wait, there’s more! The car’s built-in navigation system can even highlight bike-friendly routes, a feature that got two thumbs up from me as I cruised through the delightful streets of, whisper it, my new favourite city!