E-Bikes thoughts, comments?

[Eden]

I don't think that anyone is proposing banning E-bikes entirely… the larger question is whether or not they should be considered to be bicycles, motor scooters or motorcycles - which would make the rules governing them different. To determine that I would think you'd have to look at several factors - one of the bigger ones being the speed that the cycle can obtain. Here there are differences governing the different vehicles in this state, but it is getting *confusing* with all of the different choices (motor scooter, moped, electric personal mobility device…, motorized foot scooter ,e-bike)

bicycles: do not need a drivers license, can use roads, can use MUPs, can use bicycle lanes, can use sidewalks if not specifically prohibited

e-bike: do not need a driver's license, can use roads, can use MUPs *if* not specifically prohibited, can use bicycle lanes, are NOT allowed on sidewalks

motor scooter/moped - do need a driver's license and registration, do not need a motorcycle endorsement, can NOT use MUPs or bicycle lanes, must be limited to less than 30mph

I'd guess there are lots of different e-bikes out there - some are probably closer to regular bikes, some probably closer to mopeds.

A few years ago my husband used to share part of his commute with a co-worker on an e-bike (who being an engineer did a lot of fiddling and customizing). His e-bike still wasn't a match for the real bike. My hubby would draft him on the flats (well… goad the e-bike rider to try to drop him, thereby using up much of his electrical store ) and then bust him up the hills where the bike, being big and heavy, even if partially powered, couldn't match the real bike. OTOH I was climbing a rather steep hill the other day when a rather large fellow went zipping by me not even breathing hard… yup e-bike. Personally I have no use for them. I'm one of those people who feels like it's not worth the time if there's not some sweat and suffering that goes into it… for me it's exercise and it shouldn't be easy.

[OakLeaf]

Horsepower limits determine which gas-powered motorcycles can go on what roads, and what the licensing requirements are. Should be the same regardless of the power source IMO.

[BikeDutchess]

for me it's exercise and it shouldn't be easy.

I think that is a very basic and prevalent difference in mindset about the role of bicycles in most of the U.S. vs other countries like the European ones. When I grew up, bicycles were simply transportation, not exercise. And that transportation view has played into the development of bicycle-friendly infrastructure. As long as bicycles are only viewed as a tool for exercise, there will be less support for improving cycling infrastructure.

[I know I'm going off on a bit of a tangent here.]

[OakLeaf]

I agree, but I also think that that's a lot of what's at work here. Instead of making the transportation infrastructure accessible for general use for all types of vehicles and pedestrians, instead people increasingly (think they) want more and more specialized facilities, which is never going to happen. Just maybe, e-bikes will be an added impetus for taking the surface streets back for all vehicles. (And monkeys could fly out of my butt, too ... )

To my recollection there was similar controversy when mopeds first came on the scene. They were unregulated too, and kids would ride them as though they had the power of full sized motorcycles and the maneuverability of bicycles, instead of actually having neither. Eventually they became regulated based on horsepower or displacement or both. Substitute horsepower for any remaining displacement limitations (which they're going to want to do anyway, considering the rate at which electric vehicles that are unquestionably "motorcycles," and marketed as such, are also coming online) and I'm not sure what more regulation is really needed.

[shootingstar]

I've seen 2-3 e-bikes used by other employees within our bike storage lock-up at work which holds approx. 130 bikes. It does get entirely full in spring-fall. There is an e-bike store a few blocks from home and the only one it town. They also sell a handful of folding bikes.

No I haven't seen many people riding them around in our city.

I have mixed feelings about e-bikes especially on more narrow paths. Just 2 weeks ago I saw a teen on an ebike, going really fast on a MUP with her dad who was on a regular bike.
My feeling they must stay within a speed limit with that extra boost and not on sidewalks.

[BikeDutchess]

The kind of e-bikes I'm familiar with (which my dad and several other relatives ride) require the rider to pedal before the assist kicks in, and the assist stops when the speed reaches 25 km/hr (15.5 mph). Those are the types of e-bikes I'm supportive of.

[salsabike]

The kind of e-bikes I'm familiar with (which my dad and several other relatives ride) require the rider to pedal before the assist kicks in, and the assist stops when the speed reaches 25 km/hr (15.5 mph). Those are the types of e-bikes I'm supportive of.

Exactly. Until the sensor feels strong pressure from the rider, as in starting up a hill, the bike works as a bike only, without the assist doing anything at all. They are big, heavy bikes--they're not scooters and they can't go superfast. I've seen countless cyclists on MUPs with regular bikes go much faster than e-bikes will ever manage.

[smilingcat]

I was talking with my partner about her 90+ yo mother. Her driver license is ready to expire and she knows California will not give her a renewal even with complete test. She's still sharp as a tack and all that but...

So instead of completely losing her mobility with a loss of a car, why not an ELF or other three wheel e-bike? I have no problem with that at all. My problem with e-bike is similar to what others have said, bunch of yahoos who think they can ride it like a rice-burner/cafe racer/crotch rocket or what ever other names you want to use.

Then there is my mother who is in her 80s. My sister just informed me that her license is due for rewal this month. See if I can talk her into an ELF and give up her Lexus. She drives less than 4,000 miles a year. I wish they, organic transit, would target advertise to those who are ready to lose their license. Maybe they can get through the rigid thinking of the elderly and try something meaningful.

STOP advertising about health benefit and instead talk about benefit of mobility without a car!!

Maybe I'll go bother Organic Transit about it.

And here I never thought about being a proponent of ELF. I thought they looked hedious and use other negative adjectives. I'm more of the rice burner type...

[ridebikeme]

Like some of you folks, I too, have mixed feelings. I will say that when I bought the shop that I have, the previous owner had some in stock. I chose not to continue that trend, as bikes were heavy, expensive and for rural areas simply not practical. But over the years, I'm sure they have become much better and cured some of the previous issues. But at least at this time, I don't see them becoming a part of the shop... who knows, maybe that will change down the line.

[rebeccaC]

I just came across this electric motor kit on Amazon. What does everyone think? Would this work on a standard bike? Certainly much cheaper than buying and e-bike.

Your link took me to the PK80 gasoline motor.

MIT’s Senseable City Lab program is doing some interesting research into conversion kits to e-bikes. The Copenhagen wheel (everything incased in the rear wheel) came out of that lab and may turn out to be one of the easiest ways to convert a bike. As with a lot of new tech, prices can be high at the beginning though, $700+ depending on single speed or cassette. I think as prices and weight goes down and wattage and battery technology increases something like/or the Copenhagen may be very appealing to a lot of people.

other kinds of conversion kits can be bought for around $200

[Bethany1]

Actually I was thinking an e-bike would be perfect for me after doing reading. I'd want the pedal assist where you pedal and the motor kicks in when needed. A full electric bike almost defeats the purpose of riding though. Only cons I see right now are weight, price and where the motor is at in the hub or midpoint. I'd love to put a kit on my cross bike. I'm sick of climbing hills and would love the boost when needed. I'm wondering if my LBS still has the electric Trek bike I tried a few years ago.

[estronat]

I'm planning to purchase an eBike spring of 2015. Perfect for my needs and geography, which includes lots of rolling hills

One can get a very vigorous workout on an eBike because the level of assist is controlled by the rider at all times. Anywhere from no-assist to a high level of assist, with a couple choices in between. It can be a great option for those who would like to drive less and bicycle more, being able to run errands, commute to work, and various practical uses, not only for fun. Most people drive to run errands within 5 to 8 miles of their home. Also for those who have injuries, knee replacements, or had surgery, an eBike can get them back to cycling or supplement what they are able to do on their own.

For me I need the assistance because I have a lot of hills and it's just not any fun having to walk the bike.

[shootingstar]

I think I would consider an e-bike if somehow the batterypack could be lighter but also have wider wheels..for winter, yes make it a fat bike here where we live where it's long hard and snowier winters in the prairies.

It's something to consider much later on in life when I need a boost occasionally and be more balanced. By the time, I wouldn't care how slow I was going..but still wanting to be mobile on my own on quieter roads and on paths.

[salsabike]

I think that is a very basic and prevalent difference in mindset about the role of bicycles in most of the U.S. vs other countries like the European ones. When I grew up, bicycles were simply transportation, not exercise. And that transportation view has played into the development of bicycle-friendly infrastructure. As long as bicycles are only viewed as a tool for exercise, there will be less support for improving cycling infrastructure.

[I know I'm going off on a bit of a tangent here.]

Actually, I think this is quite relevant and not tangential at all.

[Eden]

Don't get me wrong - I use my bicycle for transportation often (I nearly exclusively bicycle commute), but I still view it as multi-tasking… transport that is exercise. If I couldn't use my bike and was given the choice between a scooter and the bus, I'd take the bus - I can't see why I'd choose a more hazardous, less comfortable means of transport if it didn't have the exercise benefits… OK… well I except I suppose that sometimes trips by bus are unreasonably long when you look at the wait/transfer factors and where exactly you can get to is limited… but still if it were my everyday commute, I'd rather ride my bike in the rain than take the bus, but I'd take the bus over riding a scooter.

I also think there are other basic reasons that a lot of people don't view bicycles the same way here as in Europe - we tend to be way less dense here and many if not most people do not live urban areas where walking and cycling are practical. Suburban areas are not set up to be friendly to much else than car transport - houses far away from shops and workplaces with few ways in or out - few sidewalks, few amenities within reach- you have to be intrepid, dedicated or you just get into your car…