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Top Ten Questions About Electric Bicycles

1. What is an electric bicycle?

Electric Bicycles are a relatively new form of alternative energy vehicle and is the latest innovation to a motorized bicycle. These are basically bicycles with an electric motor mounted on the frame or the hub of one of the wheels of the bike. The electric motors are charged or run off of a series of rechargeable batteries that are also mounted on the frame of the bicycle.

Most electric motor bikes are run on a system of power on demand or on a system called pedelec. The power on demand system is a hand throttle system that regulates the electricity that is needed to run the motor. The pedelec system is an electrical system that is regulated or activated by pedaling. Electric bikes are a great alternative to regular forms of traditional urban transportation. They offer freedom from gridlock, emissions, parking problems and fuel prices while providing a fun way of getting around in the fresh air.

2. Where can you ride an electric bike legally?

There are different laws concerning electric bicycles all over the world, to include different laws in all of the 50 States in America. To date, the best reference we have found on this subject has been at the Wikipedia, free online encyclopedia Web site. (www.wikipedia.org) The actual Wikipedia page for electric bicycle laws is : Electric Bike Laws This is the most detailed source of information on this subject to date and they even site the laws and codes for each area of the world that is listed.

3. How much does an electric bicycle cost?

Depending on what type of an electric bicycle that you need or would like to have prices can vary from $250.00 to $1,400.00 the lower end of those figures reflecting electric bikes that are for the useage of younger adults and children. Another alternative to purchasing an electric bicycle is to have a bicycle and put the motor and batteries on it yourself by purchasing and electric bicycle kit. Electric bicycle kits that you can put on a bicycle yourself can run from $425.00 U.S. Dollars to about $1,300.00 depending on how long of range of batteries or the power of the motor itself.

4. Does riding an electric bicycle actually help the environment?

n the U.S. alone each year, approximately 300 million tons of carbon is dumped into the atmosphere. Because electric powered bicycles and scooters do not run of fossil fuels, they are not releasing carbon into the environment. Although electric bikes are not going to replace the convenience of cars when it comes to long range trips, they can help the environment by allowing people to run errands and trips to and from work in areas where people are close to their destinations. To be sure, the electric motorized bicycle is not the solution to global warming, it is a step in the right direction away from the use and abuse of fossil fuels.

5. What is the top speed and distance I can go on an electric bicycle?

Many of the electric bicycles on the market today average about 10 miles on a single charge, however those figures are changing daily with the changes in battery technology. As a matter of fact the distance factor has extended the life of the battery by 25%. Due to the fact that electric bicycles have to carry motors and batteries on them, the average weight of an electric motorized bicycle is 20 pounds. Depending on the price you pay for an electric bike, the top speed can be anywhere from 20 to 30 miles per hour. Of course, this depends on your weight and the terrain that you are riding on as well and these speeds and distances will definitely vary due to these factors.

6. Is it easy to install an electric bicycle conversion kit?

If you would like to go a cheaper route and convert your regular bicycle into an electric bike, then you may want to buy an electric motor bicycle conversion kit. Most of the companies that sell these kits have detailed instructions that show you how to install these motors and will tell you that they can be installed easily in 30 minutes.Please take that advice with a grain of salt. Just like any other home project you need to consider that it will take you at least an extra hour or so putting one of these things together. I have read many blog posts and forum posts addressing this issue and most of the people that considered themselves mechanically inclined said that it took them an hour at least. One of the things that you have to consider and check out before you buy the kit is if it will work on your bike. The distance between the forks must be wide enough to accommodate the electric motor hub. These hub motors are not recommended for bikes with front shock forks, or bikes with front aluminum forks. So, make sure that you check the bicycles specifications before you purchase the kit. Some of the people that bought the kits said that the biggest hassle was assembling the throttle on the handle. Of course, if you are not mechanically inclined you could always find someone that is and pay them a few bucks to do it for you.

7. What should I look for in an electric bicycle?

There are 4 main parts of an electric bicycle or an electric bike kit; the motor, the batteries, the throttle (or controller) and the charging system. The first thing that you should consider is the motor. The motor must be powerful enough to assist you in your needs. There are two basic types of electric motors at this time: Direct drive and geared. Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages. The very best thing any consumer can do is to consult the dealer that you are purchasing the electric motor bicycle from, to find what the best type of bike or kit you will need for your particular usage. Technology has really changed batteries in the last several years. Batteries are usually either lead-acid (the most common in use today and the cheapest), NiCd, NiMH or Li-ion. Lithium ion polymer batteries are now beginning to be used as well, offering the advantage of lighter weight for the same energy storage capability but at a higher cost.

Also, the newer technology has made the life of the batteries much longer and their distance is also becoming greater with each year. Throttles can be varied and different, and most are controlled by a twisting of the wrist while newer models are incorporating thumb buttons for stopping and other functions. The final consideration is how the bike will be charged. Most electric bicycles are charged by simply plugging them in to an outlet while other systems can have a dual charging system of plug -in and regenerative charging and braking. Regenerative charging and braking is simply charging the batteries by braking and pedaling. The bottom line is, in all four of these considerations you should consult the dealer that you are buying from and ask a lot of questions before you buy.

8. Since electric bicycles are a valuable investment, how do I take care of one?

One of the reasons that electric cars did not become popular during the 1980’s is because car dealerships did not want to sell them. Why? Because there is very low maintenance on electric vehicles, thus killing their repair shop profits. Electric bikes are the same as far as maintenance is concerned. Here are a couple of basic tips: Don’t let the battery completely run out. When an electric battery runs way day it shortens the life of that battery, so recharge it every day. Also, make sure that the electric hub on the wheels are dry at the end of every day. Rust and water can be taxing on an electric motor and keeping this part dry will prolong the life of an electric motor bicycle. Finally, make sure that basic, common sense maintenance is taken care of on the electric bike. Make sure that the tires are properly filled and that the brakes are not dragging on the wheels. If you follow a couple of basic, easy maintenance steps your electric bike should last you a long time.

9. Who should I buy an electric bicycle from?

My recommendations for purchasing an electric bike or electric scooter for that matter, would be to purchase one from a bicycle dealership that is local. However, since e-bikes have not proliferated through out most of the known world yet, the best place to by them is online.

10. Why should I purchase an electric bicycle or electric scooter?

First of all, you get all the benefits of riding a motorized vehicle, while at the same time taking advantage of the road rules a conventional bicycle gets. In many big cities, even if you are on a motor cycle you have to sit at lights and fight with all of the traffic everyone else does.

....you get all the benefits of riding a motorized vehicle, while at the same time taking advantage of the road rules a conventional bicycle gets....

With an electric bike, you can ride on bike paths, sidewalks and even cross on a cross walk safely all the while utilizing a motorized vehicle. On a lot of college campuses for example, the advantages of this are very beneficial. The way many campuses are laid out, you would have to drive clear around the university to get where you need to go. With an electric motor bicycle, you can easily zip quickly and quietly to your next class or destination while avoiding parking fees that everyone else is paying.

Second, electric bikes ( or ebikes as they are sometimes called ) can maintain a higher level of speed than a regular bicycle and therefore get you to your destination sooner. This not only applies to level ground but also to hills and rougher terrain. It is much easier to ride an electric bike up hill that all of the huffing and puffing you will have to do on a conventional bike.

This last point brings me to another reason you should ride an electric bicycle and that is personal hygiene. I know all of you want to arrive at your destination all sweaty and wreaking of B.O. That’s the way I’d want to show up at a party….Not!!! With an ebike it is possible to enjoy the fresh air and fun of cycling while avoiding sweat stained clothes and that natural odor all your friends will love.

I think another valid point that can be made about electric motorized bicycles is that this time in America, they are a good investment. Not only can you save gas money on these devices, but the resale value is much better than with a regular bicycle.

Finally, with all of the concerns of global warming, and America’s dependency on foreign oil, there appears to be a grass roots movement away from fossil fuels. Almost everyone would like to see greener pastures and smell fresher air. Even though electric bicycles are not the answer to our fuel and environment problems, they can make a difference in the way we treat our environment. As far as miles per gallon (MPG) electric bikes are definitely making an impact. The average electric bicycle gets an easy 700 to about 1800 miles to the gallon which is clearly significant. With all of these advantages it is clear that purchasing an ebike is fun, environmentally safe and a good investment for just about anyone.