E-Bikes thoughts, comments?

[DrMitzi]

When i was younger, my Litespeed and I traveled quite a bit and I was fortunate to do some amazing bike trips in here in the USA, Europe and Costa Rica. However with age and bodily renovation (both knees replaced, surgery on both hands, 2 back surgeries and shoulder reconstruction), I could no longer get on and off my beloved road bike or make it up the 850' hill that I live upon. I though I was done with biking, until I tried the Townie Electra Go. I'm back in the saddle again and can even drop my husband coming up the hill. This is a pedal assist configuration, so you have to pedal to make it go, so it is still a lot of work for me to get up the hill, but I can do it. It is certainly not "exercise-free". Top speed is only 15mph pedaling, so I'm not zipping by anyone. I have baskets on the handlebars and rear rack, so I can take my little dogs along or buy a few groceries and run errands while getting some exercise. At 56 pounds (without baskets or load), it is heavier than any road bike and a bit clunky to handle, but sitting more upright takes the stress off of my neck and hands. The Townie has an unusual geometry that puts your feet somewhat forward, which takes the stress off of my refurbished knees. It does make a little bit of noise, but not too terribly much. This technology has allowed me to get back into biking for fun and health as well as rejoining my (annoyingly athletic) husband on bike trips again. Probably the best money I have spent on biking since I got the Litespeed. Now I just need to find a bike rack big enough to cart it around.........