| With the current conditions in our economy and the | | | | conditions such as power of the battery, wind speed |
| price of a gallon of gas, everyone is finding the need to | | | | and terrain. A factor to consider may be the size and |
| tighten their belts. Many people have found themselves | | | | weight of the battery. A car battery on a trailer |
| out of work and not able to afford car payments and | | | | attached to the bicycle may give more power but the |
| the associated insurance. Thoughts turn to several | | | | extra weight may not be worth the extra power it |
| different versions of reliable transportation. One | | | | provides or the extra expense. |
| alternative may be the electric bike. | | | | Some practical uses of an electric bike include running |
| What is an electric bike? An electric bicycle is a regular | | | | errands and a stress-free ride to work. Most errands |
| bicycle but with an addition: a motor. The motor can be | | | | can be completed in a short amount of time and a |
| attached in many ways and aid the cyclist in many | | | | trailer can be attached which could provide storage for |
| ways. Most people who use bicycles as forms of | | | | parcels, bags of groceries and packages. Those who |
| transportation do not have the stamina to travel long | | | | have a short distance to drive to work may |
| distances with heavy loads. A motorized bicycle may | | | | appreciate avoiding traffic jams to get to work in a |
| be the answer. The electric version has a motor with | | | | shorter amount of time. |
| a rechargeable battery and is legal to travel on most | | | | There are a multitude of models of electric bicycles. |
| roads. Sidewalks are unsafe for bicycles as motorists | | | | Some of the newer models conceal the motor and |
| are not looking for them at intersections and may not | | | | battery in the frame of the bicycle proving once again |
| see the cyclist until it is too late to avoid a crash. | | | | that smaller can be better. In the case of the e-bike, |
| E-bikes as they are also called only assist the cyclist | | | | smaller may also be lighter and more efficient. Some |
| and may improve the speed of someone who | | | | motor and battery packs can be bought and installed |
| averages 10 mph by 5 to 10 miles per hour. Unlike a | | | | at home with only the instructions and the ability to turn |
| moped, the legal maximum speed of an e-bike is 20 | | | | a wrench. These kits start at around $500. Others |
| miles per hour. The legal speed of a moped is 30 miles | | | | called "purpose-built" require special installation and are |
| per hour. An e-bike works best when the cyclist | | | | generally more expensive. The cost saving can be |
| pedals and is not designed to act as a motorcycle. | | | | tremendous over time no matter what version is |
| The battery has a recharge time of several hours and | | | | chosen. |
| a normal range of about 10 miles depending on | | | | |