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Electric Bikes Won Over China. Is the U.S. Next?

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Re: Electric Bikes Won Over China. Is the U.S. Next?

#21

Post by URSpider94 »

alvern wrote: post #17

I ride 20 miles a day in Minneapolis on my e-bike. My biggest fear is when we will ruin it for everyone. There just isn't the proper infrastructure for them. Bike paths around here have 10mph speed limit signs and are mostly mixed use. Not enough connecting roads have bike lanes. It will grow wildly popular once a cheap US based lithium battery supplier appears (Tesla/Panasonic).

Exactly, e-bikes are an odd tweener. They don't mix well on bike paths if you're bombing along at 20 mph, and in a lot of places people still just don't feel safe riding anything with two wheels on public roads.

I don't see a lot of people who aren't already comfortable cycling to work (though maybe preferring to get there faster and with less sweat), going out and buying an e-bike.

Re: Electric Bikes Won Over China. Is the U.S. Next?

#22

Post by pm90 »

URSpider94 wrote: post #16

The e-bike situation in China is very different from the US. These are people who are moving UP from human-powered bikes, or walking, to their first vehicle -- not buying them so that they can leave their car at home and feel the wind in their hair. Here's a photo of a very typical Chinese e-bike: http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00zsrEyYQIYOqo/Chinese-El... As you can see, it has a second seat in the back for a pa…

I don't think it would work in the US. Such models might replace the gasoline powered vespas that a small minority of people use. But a car is central to the lifestyle of most Americans: you go to work, get groceries etc.

That said, the more bicycle looking ebikes... I am very tempted to get one. They can be a fun way to explore the neighborhood. But I would still need a car for commuting to work.

Re: Electric Bikes Won Over China. Is the U.S. Next?

#23

Post by danielmorozoff »

yolesaber wrote: post #3

Delivery guys use these all the time in NYC and I'm seeing more and more folks riding on them, even fellas in bizness suits. I'd say they've arrived.

The delivery guys definitely- for a while now. Haven't seen that many suits on them. I'm interested what do people in the Netherlands think of them?

Re: Electric Bikes Won Over China. Is the U.S. Next?

#24

Post by derekp7 »

tln wrote: post #5
yolesaber wrote: post #3

Delivery guys use these all the time in NYC and I'm seeing more and more folks riding on them, even fellas in bizness suits. I'd say they've arrived.

When you consider e-bikes are illegal in NYC thats even more impressive

Actually, from what I've been following, pedal assist is ok, it is only a throttle that is not legal. I.e., you have to be peddling for the bike to move, and the motor adds in a bit more power.

Re: Electric Bikes Won Over China. Is the U.S. Next?

#25

Post by totally »

Daily (manual) biker here (~70 miles per week).

These ebikes are a clever hack. In China they skirt motorcycle laws. In the US they can make use of bike paths. You can make good time and your commute is generally the same duration regardless of traffic. At least, that's true in Silicon Valley.

Last I checked (a few years ago) pedaling the ebikes is like pedaling a tank. Batteries and motors a heavy bike make. So you're using the motor and there's not a lot of cardio happening.

I ride my bike because I want to live longer/better. I don't think you get that with these, but there's definitely a niche for them.

Re: Electric Bikes Won Over China. Is the U.S. Next?

#28

Post by csours »

doctorpangloss wrote: post #11

eBikes are sincerely a great alternative to cars for me. I've been using an electric bike (Stromer ST1) for about 3 years now in LA and Boston. It makes perfect sense for these cities. The total cost of ownership is way below a car, due to the low cost of Uber, other people with cars, insurance and gas. In high traffic and hard parking cities like LA and Boston, I get to my destination faster. And though a bicycle is…

Only 7x dangerous? I assumed it was like 100x... Is that 7x incidents or serious injury? It would also be interesting to see it expressed in hours rather than miles.

Re: Electric Bikes Won Over China. Is the U.S. Next?

#29

Post by clydethefrog »

adamlett wrote: post #4

They are also increasingly common in Copenhagen. Both regular style bikes and three-wheeled cargo bikes.

In the Netherlands they are considered to be for old people, since they only use them. Especially in cities with a high student population people prefer to use some old rusty bike because bikes often get damaged and/or stolen in here. When I was visiting Copenhagen I was jealous of the infrastructure and your true love for quality bikes. I wish we had some cycle chic[1] instead of being proud of arriving sweaty and exhausted at work.

[1] http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/

Re: Electric Bikes Won Over China. Is the U.S. Next?

#30

Post by ghaff »

URSpider94 wrote: post #21
alvern wrote: post #17

I ride 20 miles a day in Minneapolis on my e-bike. My biggest fear is when we will ruin it for everyone. There just isn't the proper infrastructure for them. Bike paths around here have 10mph speed limit signs and are mostly mixed use. Not enough connecting roads have bike lanes. It will grow wildly popular once a cheap US based lithium battery supplier appears (Tesla/Panasonic).

Exactly, e-bikes are an odd tweener. They don't mix well on bike paths if you're bombing along at 20 mph, and in a lot of places people still just don't feel safe riding anything with two wheels on public roads. I don't see a lot of people who aren't already comfortable cycling to work (though maybe preferring to get there faster and with less sweat), going out and buying an e-bike.

That was one of the issues with Segways as well. A lot of people (understandably) didn't want them on sidewalks. But they weren't really suited for roads either.
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