JudyJB
Well-known member
Some time ago I posted asking for information on motor scooters. By the end of the conversation, I have decided to buy an electric bike but was working on the rack to use. I am turning 70 next month and have been a lifelong bike rider, but my stamina is less and my knees are getting sore at the end of rides. I full-time alone in a 32' Class C, and do not tow a vehicle. I really needed a way to be more mobile so I could explore national and state parks more easily without moving my motorhome.
Anyway, I picked up my new electric bike yesterday, and have taken a few rides. So far, I am really enjoying it. So here is what I ended up with: http://www.eco-wheelz.com/catalog/eg-athens-electric-bike-p-357.php?osCsid=2b829d9d6a761ccc00178b21d87d030e
It has a range of 20-25 miles, realistically, depending on your weight and how much uphill you have to ride. You can ride it as a regular bike if your battery runs down, as a regular full-power bike, or with a pedal assist feature. This last mode means that it senses when you are slightly struggling with pedaling and gives you a brief boost that helps you out. You can set the boost to three speeds, but so far I have only been using the lowest one. Actually, this is pretty impressive because you can be riding along pedaling, and be speeding even uphill, as if you are 20 years old and in terrific physical shape!
Basically, according to federal law, if it has pedals, is electric under so many amps, can go no faster than 20 MPH, it is a bike, and you can ride it exactly as you would any unpowered bike. It also does not need any special license or insurance. This law also says no state can make more stringent requirements.
The cheaper electric bikes have old lead-acid batteries, but this one has lithium ion. Only problem is that you DO have to keep these bikes out of the rain, so I bought a large barbecue grill cover for it and have bungeed it down. With a little adjustment, it did fit on my old bike rack. The battery goes inside when I am done for the day.
I'll attach some photos.
Anyway, I picked up my new electric bike yesterday, and have taken a few rides. So far, I am really enjoying it. So here is what I ended up with: http://www.eco-wheelz.com/catalog/eg-athens-electric-bike-p-357.php?osCsid=2b829d9d6a761ccc00178b21d87d030e
It has a range of 20-25 miles, realistically, depending on your weight and how much uphill you have to ride. You can ride it as a regular bike if your battery runs down, as a regular full-power bike, or with a pedal assist feature. This last mode means that it senses when you are slightly struggling with pedaling and gives you a brief boost that helps you out. You can set the boost to three speeds, but so far I have only been using the lowest one. Actually, this is pretty impressive because you can be riding along pedaling, and be speeding even uphill, as if you are 20 years old and in terrific physical shape!
Basically, according to federal law, if it has pedals, is electric under so many amps, can go no faster than 20 MPH, it is a bike, and you can ride it exactly as you would any unpowered bike. It also does not need any special license or insurance. This law also says no state can make more stringent requirements.
The cheaper electric bikes have old lead-acid batteries, but this one has lithium ion. Only problem is that you DO have to keep these bikes out of the rain, so I bought a large barbecue grill cover for it and have bungeed it down. With a little adjustment, it did fit on my old bike rack. The battery goes inside when I am done for the day.
I'll attach some photos.