Since I purchased my E-Bike in November I have put 1,000 miles on it. About 75% of that was pedal assist with the remainder full throttle. While some argue you can’t ride a bike in the winter, I would disagree, I started riding my bike as soon as I got it and tried to ride at least 3-4 days a week thru the winter. Now with the weather being rather mild, it is a great time to commute to work on a bike. The nice thing about an E-Bike is that you have options. If you want to ride it in the street you can crank it up to full assist and throttle (about 30 mph) or if you ride on the trail you can turn it way down on pedal assist (about 13 mph). Not only does commuting on a bike give you a great workout it saves tons of money on gas. As for cost, I haven’t even noticed a difference in my electric bill charging it every night.
I do recommend a few things before buying an E-Bike, DO YOUR RESEARCH! I believe almost every locally owned bike shop sells E-Bikes. While I own an Ariel Rider (moped E-Bike) it may not be your cup of tea since it is a step over with a high center frame and weighs about 80 lbs. If you want something that is more comfortable and a good work horse I would recommend a Himiway, Juiced or Rad, they are step thru and you can accessorize them with about everything you would have in your car like Bluetooth speakers and GPS.
I also recommend with all the wind, sun and gnats you get eye protection and of course a helmet and you can never can have enough baskets.
I think the last time I put gas in my car was at the beginning of April, and I still have a half tank, I can’t tell you what the price of gas is. I even use it to get groceries and run errands. I also ride several other non E-Bikes.
Let’s admit it, most people drive vehicles that are too large for short commutes and if the weather agrees bike commuting is the best way to combat high gas prices.
Most people are not making short commutes and nor can you carry much on an e-bike. May work for you and YOUR needs but not realistic, or even affordable, for most people.
Enjoy your e-bike though.
“I’m planning to acquire one as soon as I save-up enough S&H Green Stamps”….
How long has it taken to recoup what you spent to buy the bike versus what you are not spending on fuel?
What is surprising in Sioux Falls is how the fuel prices vary from north to south. I’ve seen up to a 30 cents difference with the south side of course having the highest gouging effect.
Erica, I get groceries with mine. I have a really big back basket, I could put on a front one and two saddlebags.
Steve, I figured about $165 in gas for 1,000 miles.
E-Bikes are not that expensive, they start at $1,000.
E-Bikes give the city more to regulate. There will be tickets for riding a motorized vehicle on the bike trails. If enough people ride to downtown, there will be parking meters. Energy conservation means nothing to them. Citations and taxation does. Fortunately, city government is slow with new ordinances. It could be 5 years before we revert back to cars but then they’ll be electric and gas taxes will be history.
Here’s your ticket for a motorized vehicle on bike trails. But officer, I was peddling. Then, where’s your peddlers permit? But officer, I was coasting. Then, you’re a vagrant. Why aren’t you working?
What about seat belts, right on red, and wearing a mask?
Great for you.
How many people in your family are you feeding? How many trips are you taking to the grocery store or anywhere else each week?
How many kids are you taking back and forth to school, sports, and other activities?
If we are not careful, we could become the next Saigon, I mean Ho Chi Minh City. We already have some yellow trikes.
Erica makes a good point and how do you get that big screen TV home?
E-Bike’s at Sturgis? An option for peddle charge is kite and key.
“Here’s what I am planning to peddle and charge to Sturgis ‘Someday'”….
http://micargi.com.cn/col.jsp?id=113
True cyclists don’t need a big screen TV. The bike trail makes them high on life…. (“Look, there’s a plant over there …. ” …. )
You can strap the big screen TV to your back like a backpack, or you can connect a nice little ‘trailer’ to the bicycle and haul your groceries, clothes, shoes, and other items. Or you can call TAXI-BY-MIKE and he will take you anywhere you want to go for a fair price.
In Southeast Asia, the trike taxis are called Tuk-Tuk’s. They’re a tourist thing that cost more than an air conditioned Camry.
Blogging about riding bicycles?!?!
I don’t know what to say, except … you are turning into Lalley.
I don’t understand why Erica is so mad that you’re sharing something that works for you and saying it could work for others. I don’t see anywhere where you’re saying EVERY single person needs to go the e-bike route. If it doesn’t work for her circumstances no big deal.
If you rode an electric unicycle, then maybe you could hold the flat screen TV with both hands. #ProblemSolved
I get it, it doesn’t work for everyone, but the one thing I have realized is that most people make excuses because of convenience. They want to make several stops on the way to work for their corn syrup coffee and gas station donut. Someone should open a coffee cabin along the bike trail! It all comes down to laziness. Just look at the vehicles next to you the next time you drive to work. Most have one person in them, it is likely a SUV or junker sedan, they are sucking on a coffee or cigarette and playing with their phone. Nobody needs to drive their car 100% of the time, and they know it. As for the taking the kids to activities, have them ride their bike. That’s what I did as a kid.
That’s it. The next time I show-up at a protest, I’m going to ride my electric unicycle to it, while holding-up a big sign.
Perhaps, this “coffee cabin” could sell Milk Duds as well. 😉
Maybe one of the bicycle companies could market a bike called ‘SUV’, that might help. AND, it would only come in black or white colors…. (Although, those gray vehicles with the all black wheels are getting quite popular now.)
the bike trail is in shambles anyway
If you are worried about a flat screen TV, then it’s my guess you don’t own or ride a bike:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urnRVr1P2bc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-7pgeD__qU
i’m still waiting for the coal burning cars that trump promised. another trump failure.
L3wis, so it is ok for YOU to make excuses why YOU think an e-bike will work for others just because it suits YOUR needs. Maybe YOU live close to your job, your needs, and aren’t toting children to any of those places. Just because that is the case for YOU doesn’t mean others are making excuses as why a bike is NOT suitable for them at all.
You also apparently assume the majority of people are spending their lives, work and social, ANYWHERE even close to the bike trail. *smh*
I know a couple with middle school/junior high kids and the dad rides his bike to work almost everyday, probably around 10 miles each way, his wife bikes to work a lot to and they encourage their kids to ride bike. I get it, you can’t always go every where, every day, on a bike, but if you just think about it, you could probably cut your gas costs in half riding to places that don’t require you to pick up groceries or kids. And you don’t even need a bike, you can walk places also. I live off of 14th street and I see people carrying their groceries all the time walking down the sidewalk. My bigger point is that when you actually sit down and plan out your commutes you can probably use a bike well over 50% of the time.
For the most part, the bike trail does not enter into Taupeville, that is why our Mayor is able to regulate it with blue Canadian/commie signs. Perhaps, some Canadian truckers could free us. Where is Bubbles when you need him? #EShoppingCart. #CanadianBaconMexicanPizzas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdJ5HyDdKzo
Erica, goodness. Take a spa day or something.
Trump was hoping to take us back in so many ways:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUgVCR_658M