Occasionally, in our quest to become more environmentally conscious, it seems that we have seen and considered it all. Recycling in the home, using compact fluorescent light bulbs, Energy Star appliances, checking our window insulation, and perhaps even buying a hybrid vehicle are pretty common options for a person these days. So here I am to present you with another option that you may not have considered: the electric bicycle.
“Aren’t some of us a little old for a scooter?”, you may be thinking. However, I am not talking about a scooter and I’m definitely not talking about a motorcycle. I am talking about your old childhood friend, the bicycle, and adding a few accessories: an electric motor, battery pack, and controller. The controller regulates the battery and motor, and together they provide assistance in pedaling the bicycle. The end result is an easier bicycling experience.
Now this isn’t for everyone, but it may work for more people than you think. There are many people who ride bicycles for recreational purposes, and some of whom use a bicycle to commute to work. I used to be one of those people. I lived about three miles from work and when the weather was decent, I would pack up my business clothes in a backpack and bike to work. After awhile, I stopped doing this, even though it was great exercise and definitely environmentally friendly. My main issue was that I had a hard time gauging my energy levels. Some days were tougher than others. I might have to bring a laptop home, and all the accessories with it. Add all that to the end of a tiring day at work, when all you want is dinner… well, you can see how a person’s motivation might lag. Couple that with the consistent need to shower at the work gym (and not all of us have this option) and then change into our business attire, let’s just say it takes real commitment to commute via bicycle.
An electric bicycle can help mitigate some of these issues because the job of the motor is to make your pedaling easier. Easier pedaling lets you extend the range that you are willing to commute, make it into work with less sweat (possibly eliminating the need for a shower), and assists you with any additional business equipment you might be hauling. Its still more environmentally friendly than taking your car into work because you can re-charge the battery pack. An electric bicycle also sidesteps one of the issues that potential scooter owners can face, which is licensing. In some states, scooters require a special license or even have to be registered as motorcycles. Generally, electric bicycles still fall into the same legal category as a standard bicycle.
So if you are interested in an electric bicycle, there are several manufacturers available or you can purchase an electric motor kit and convert the bicycle you own. Here are some links that you may find helpful:
- NYCEWheels: A New York based store that specializes in electric bicycles and scooters, these people have put together a great web page with articles, reviews, and products to browse through.
- Optibike: A Colorado based company that makes some of the sportiest (and pricey!) electric bicycles I’ve seen. (note* All their bicycles go faster than 20 mph which may negate their legal classification as standard bicycles.
- Wikipedia – Electric Bike Laws: Just what it sounds like.
So if this a solution you are considering, don’t forget to check for any possible tax credits or commuter credits you may qualify for through the government or your workplace.
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