Electric Bikes Won Over China. Is the U.S. Next? • Hacker News Board

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

#131

Post by u801e » Sat, Jun 04, 2016, 12:57 AM UTC

khedoros wrote: post #78

Rumudiez wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> But I would still need a car for commuting to work. And that sums up why the typical US mentality will continue to impede transportation progress. I can easily carry over a week's worth of groceries to cook three meals per day for two people in one trip on my motorcycle. I ride to work every day of the year in Seattle . It's kind of like, you know, living in pretty much any other country in the world where cars are…

It's a chicken+egg problem. I've considered riding a bicycle to work (it's only about 6 miles), but there are busy streets without bicycle lanes (or even sidewalks), and drivers in the area are known to be actively aggressive against cyclists. These things drive down the numbers of cyclists, which increases the general feeling that they aren't accepted, and that it's not worth it to cater to them. > if we could just…

> there are busy streets without bicycle lanes

The real problem is that the lane isn't wide enough for a cyclist and motor vehicle to travel side by side with the motor vehicle remaining in the same lane. When a bicycle lane is added despite that, it leads to a bicycle lane that's too narrow and vehicles will pass without leaving sufficient clearance (at least 3 feet).

> (or even sidewalks)

Riding on the sidewalk isn't safe (and in many jurisdictions, is illegal). Mixing unpredictable pedestrian traffic with cyclists is not safe, and the number of potential conflicts that cyclists have with motor vehicle traffic when approaching an intersection is far greater compared to riding on the road and following traffic rules.

Also having to slow or stop for each driveway and intersection will significantly lengthen the time of the trip.

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

#132

Post by thatcat » Sat, Jun 04, 2016, 1:01 AM UTC

icebraining wrote: post #104

MrTonyD wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I remember my college theology class - we discussed how laws are often created in an effort to reflect and communicate community values. I find it interesting that someone would insist that laws are more important than the values being communicated by their "neighbors". If anything, I would think such feedback is a more valid expression of community values.

websitescenes did write that only cyclists are bothered, so the values being communicated by the community at large don't seem to conflict with the law.

They're bothered by the precieved threat of more restrictions due to larger community possibly being bothered.

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

#133

Post by forrestthewoods » Sat, Jun 04, 2016, 1:11 AM UTC

duaneb wrote: post #126

rakoo wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Another huge reason is that China outright banned the use of gasoline powered motorcycles in many big cities; since the majority of people just can't afford a car, the only replacement they could have is electric bikes. Maybe one day we'll also see gasoline powered personal vehicles be banned in the West ? I kind of doubt it, seeing how important the car is in our society, even though there is some progress towards i…

This kind of ban only makes sense with dense electrical and infrastructure penetration. Good luck convincing people in the country to give up four wheel drive and switch to a vehicle where fuel cannot be stashed.

... because people in the country don't have electricity?

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

#134

Post by SerLava » Sat, Jun 04, 2016, 1:19 AM UTC

forrestthewoods wrote: post #133

duaneb wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This kind of ban only makes sense with dense electrical and infrastructure penetration. Good luck convincing people in the country to give up four wheel drive and switch to a vehicle where fuel cannot be stashed.

... because people in the country don't have electricity?

...They have to drive farther.

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

#135

Post by mkoryak » Sat, Jun 04, 2016, 1:20 AM UTC

goldmouth wrote: post #42

Does anybody know of a good, complete, ebike conversion kit for an older trek mountain bike? I have a 4.4 mile round trip commute but I don't really want to spend $1000+ , plus I'm pretty diy.

you dont need an ebike for that, unless its up hill both ways.

You can spend nothing and get a free gym membership out of it.

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

#136

Post by EEGuy » Sat, Jun 04, 2016, 1:25 AM UTC

goldmouth wrote: post #42

Does anybody know of a good, complete, ebike conversion kit for an older trek mountain bike? I have a 4.4 mile round trip commute but I don't really want to spend $1000+ , plus I'm pretty diy.

Opinions vary; here's a very busy BBS for ebike and other EV DIY-ers: https://endless-sphere.com/forums/

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

#137

Post by ori_b » Sat, Jun 04, 2016, 1:25 AM UTC

duaneb wrote: post #126

rakoo wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Another huge reason is that China outright banned the use of gasoline powered motorcycles in many big cities; since the majority of people just can't afford a car, the only replacement they could have is electric bikes. Maybe one day we'll also see gasoline powered personal vehicles be banned in the West ? I kind of doubt it, seeing how important the car is in our society, even though there is some progress towards i…

This kind of ban only makes sense with dense electrical and infrastructure penetration. Good luck convincing people in the country to give up four wheel drive and switch to a vehicle where fuel cannot be stashed.

...And that's why it was banned in big cities, which have famously bad air pollution problems. As opposed to the country.

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

#138

Post by chipsy » Sat, Jun 04, 2016, 1:27 AM UTC

ghaff wrote: post #30

URSpider94 wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Likewise kick scooters. Fast and quiet enough to make pedestrians think "you are like a bike and I should treat you like one," but in fact far too slow for roads and unexpectedly agile on sidewalks.

Basically, all the vehicles that sit in the intermediate gradients of speed/acceleration are in a position for their simple existence to offend everyone else.

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

#139

Post by Steltek » Sat, Jun 04, 2016, 1:32 AM UTC

rconti wrote: post #44

totally wrote: post #25

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'…

I see a ton of these every time I'm out on my bike commuting here in the valley. My first reaction is "how the eff is that guy riding so fast" then I realize he MUST have an assist because it's a more casual looking rider on a more upright style bike, he's still pedaling but just FLYING.

Ehhh, unless you see the motor, he might just be pounding along with his own two legs. I ride year round so I'm in pretty good shape for biking but I still occasionally get smoked (uphill) by some guy on a MTB with a seat that's too low and sporting a rusty orange chain.

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

#140

Post by rckclmbr » Sat, Jun 04, 2016, 1:36 AM UTC

kennell wrote: post #94

rckclmbr wrote: post #85

I rode a manual bike for several years, and bought an e-bike about a month ago for my 25-mile (round trip) commute. It's been amazing. I still get cardio (albeit not as much), I don't have to change in my lycra, don't have to shower when I get to work, and the commute is actually faster than driving (the 101 sucks). I'll still do the occasional ride on my old bike, but it's mostly e-bike now.

What e-bike are you using?

Stromer ST2