| It is big in China, Japan, Europe, etc., but the United | | | | My family and I are saving many thousands of dollars |
| States has been slow to adapt to this new technology. | | | | per year in Fairfield, CA by using electric bicycles. It is |
| Recently, however, more and more people are | | | | my primary source of local transportation and I have |
| inquiring. Last year 23 million were sold worldwide, and | | | | logged thousands of miles on it. All I did was pull an old |
| the number is expected to double by 2012, says | | | | Mongoose out of the shed and put a good quality |
| Electric Bikes Worldwide Reports, a biennial publication | | | | electric kit on it, and have never had a problem. A |
| tracking the industry. In the US my experience is that | | | | recent article about us came out in the local paper |
| this is usually (but not always) a different crowd. One | | | | featuring my wife and me with our electric bikes. And |
| that is more middle-aged or older. I recently worked | | | | now I'm doing my best to help others embrace a |
| with a 90 year young man to get him setup with an | | | | mode of transportation that can provide as much or |
| electric bike that was safe and comfortable to him. | | | | as little exercise as one desires for less than a penny |
| These are people that want to ride, but may need an | | | | a mile (based on battery charging costs). There are |
| assist in the wind or up a hill. | | | | certain safety laws that must be adhered to, but an |
| Or, they are simply fed up with the high cost of their | | | | electric powered bike that remains within the power |
| vehicle and want a very inexpensive approach to | | | | output and braking system rules defined by both state |
| taking up to a 20 mile round trip ride to the store, to a | | | | and federal law, is considered a bicycle. No insurance, |
| friends, etc., which tends to be a high percentage of | | | | registration, etc. required. |
| the driving Americans do. In addition, making up to a 20 | | | | The motor is independent of the pedal and gear |
| mile commute to work on a bicycle in an hour and | | | | system, so you only have to use it when you want to. |
| showing up without a drop of sweat, and then | | | | The technology has come a long ways and is very |
| recharging the battery for about 15 cents for the ride | | | | reliable. The latest Lithium LifePO4 batteries will last for |
| home can be very appealing. According to a poll taken | | | | nearly 2000 charges and only weigh 10 lbs (or less). It's |
| by ABC News in 2005 the average commute | | | | not for everyone, and many cyclists much prefer a |
| distance for Americans was 16 miles. Easily attainable | | | | light bike and human power. I think that is great. For |
| in less than an hour with a bicycle equipped with an | | | | some of us, however, beating the gas pump with a |
| electric bike kit. | | | | little less sweat equity makes it much more fun and |
| Let's be realistic, we cannot completely get away from | | | | enjoyable! After receiving many comments on the |
| automobiles, but we do not have to be held captive by | | | | local newspaper article and the bikes when we ride |
| them. According to Triple A, Americans spent an | | | | them, I decided to get a home business license and |
| average of $8273 to drive a medium size sedan | | | | help others save money and the planet by installing |
| 15000 miles in 2008 (55.2 cents per mile). This does not | | | | electric bike kits on existing bicycles. I have not made a |
| include parking and fines. The reality is with a little | | | | profit in monetary terms, as it is a hobby that I enjoy, |
| planning, and significantly less money, going car-lite is | | | | and that everyone I've helped now enjoys! That's profit |
| very possible. | | | | enough. |