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• e-bikes...we're all on the same page

  We need to embrace change and not put up road blocks. I ride an e-bike almost everyday including most winter days, this is something I would not have dreamed of with my regular bike. It has become my primary mode of transportation. I also want to make note too that on many occasion I am passed by high-end road bikes going much faster than I can at full throttle. Please do not be disillusioned that there is no exercise involved either, there is typically several levels of assist to use on your e-bike. It is your choice of how much or how little you want to work (very similar to a exercise equipment in the gym) What this means for me is getting on my bike everyday & not being intimidated by large hills, headwinds, extra cargo, or the need to arrive fresh. We are not motorcycles or mopeds and have no way of reaching those speeds or more importantly releasing those kinds of emisions, so riding in car traffic can be just as crazy for us and we appreciate the calm & convience of the bike trails as much as any other rider. E-bikes make it possible for many people who before had no way of enjoying any kind of meaningful cycling or like myself who only enjoyed riding when the conditions where perfect. I rarely use a car anymore. In today's world of climate change I encourage everyone to Please not stand in the way of new technology that is getting people out of their cars and onto bikes. Also please stop being so critical of people who for what ever reason require or prefer an assist (we all need a little assistance in life from time to time) I also ask that we e-bikers(the majority) who are respectful of others on the trails and in traffic not be judged by the few bad apples out there not following the rules. It's like everything else, there will always be those who don't play fair and traditional cyclists are no exception. My husband and I decided to purchase an e-bike a few years ago instead of a second car and couldn't believe the level of interest & curiosity we got everywhere we went. This is an industry who's time has come, with so many baby boomers wanting to continue having active lifestyles and the disastrouse effects of climate change, now is the time to foster inclusivity for all green transportation & exercise. My husband and I have become so passionate about green transportion we have actually opened up a bike shop here in Peterborough On (one of Ont. largest centre's of seniors not to mention a very environmentally concience community) Believe me when I say the need is there and the excitement and enthusiasm for this form of cycling is intoxicating. We encourage people to become more than just fair weather or recreational cyclists by giving people many options such as extra cargo kits, trailors, gear etc...and yes electric assist is a very natural fit to bring people out of their cars and onto their bikes as their primary transportation. Cheers to cycling in all its many forms.
  Angie Windrem (Green Street)

  Posted by Angie Windrem September 30, 2010 11:13:09

• my e-bike

  I've been riding a power-assist electric bike for 10 years. I had to buy it in Seattle because I couldn't find one here in Vancouver (now they're easy to find). I get the motor rebuilt about every 2 years at JV Bike. My daily commute is 35 km with a lot of hills. My particular e-bike requires me to pedal - the motor will not propel me along, it does however assist me. I appreciate this bike as it gets me to and from work quickly, with minimal sweat and with a smile on my face. I love cycling and have a regular bike for pedaling longer distances and when arriving "fresh" is not an issue.
  
  As an avid cyclist I can understand other cyclist's discomfort with electric bikes using bike designated paths. I too take issue with people zipping along without actually pedaling. I think about all the time and effort advocates have put into the fight to get safer bike routes. BUT at the same time I ride an electric bike and will continue to use it for my commute.
  
  As noted by BC E-biker, "in the end, i think e bikes open up bicycling to a broader range of people. at very least, they create a transitional vehicle for people who are ready to trade their cars for an honest bicycle. change is incremental. lets be nice." I agree! Change is incremental.

  Posted by monqi September 04, 2010 07:29:44

• E-Bikes (aka-Mopeds)

  The problem I have with the e-bikes is them being used on non-motorized trails. What I've seen so far in every single situation is them being used as mopeds. They don't use the pedals for anything but resting their feet. The ones I saw last week were on a bike/ped trail that's RR grade. It's completely flat. They were buzzing along at about 20 mph zipping around people with strollers, little kids on bikes and commuters.
  This isn't an elitists opinion either. If people are going to call me out for that then why not call them out for trying to turn our bike paths through parks into motorcycle trails? These are designated as non-motorized trails. They aren't designated as super highways for people on mopeds. I had a few of those older models about 20 years ago when I was a teenager. I only used the pedals to start them and when I ran out of gas. I didn't ride any of them on bike paths though. I understood why I shouldn't and it was against the law.
  
  I don't generally get worked up about stuff but it's pretty clear cut to me that when you go nascar on bike paths that families and children are given for recreation it's the wrong direction completely. I'm also fairly upset that people would ask me to join the club of promoting bicycle/ped paths for non-motorized vehicles and then later those people start promoting motorized vehicles on those trails.
  
  I don't really care about them in bike lanes on the street or if it's a truly handicap person though. But some 35 year old guy that wants to use the Greenway in MPLS for his 5 mile commute to work? No way! It's basically a way to avoid the traffic other motorized vehicles have to face and put your motor on our non-motorized bike/ped trail.
  
  Back to the elitists thing. You know I had a few mopeds when I was kid. I also had a few dirt bikes. I got my first motorbike when I was 5. It was an Arctic Cat. As a teenager I regularly tore the hell out of the Fishbox and Potfin farm fields. I also regularly got shot with salt pellets and ticked by the cops. I got my first 155 mph motorcycle at 19. That thing was f-ing fast as hell. It went from 0 - 60 in about 3.5 seconds on one wheel. That was at about 13,500 rpm's and before I even shifted to second gear. You want an elitist point of view? Get f-ing real motorcycle.
  
  This is what I see happening in MN with this. 1. Say no them and things stay as they are on non-parkway routes. (Greenway, Three Rivers Trails...)
  2. Allow them and things change. There will be user conflicts due to the speed and carelessness of the riders and a speed limit that doesn't exist will be imposed. Then we get to go back to the streets and hand it over to other people because who wants to ride at 10 mph? This simply isn't being thought through far enough. As far as me driving to work and you cheating? I don't even own a car. It's not about that. It's about keeping trails that were designated as non-motorized free of motorized vehicles. But, it is cheating. It's riding a motorcycle.

  Posted by Ned Turnbuckle August 05, 2010 14:46:54

• what?

  I just dont understand why this article is in the "magazine for self powered people." Its not self powered, it still requires the burning of coal to use it.

  Posted by Nic August 02, 2010 16:02:09