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From: peakmoment
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  • If the bike goes 20 mph, that is fast enough for city streets and staying in the lane for some time. Big trucks are much slower and nobody seems to complain about them, so for short distances, people can get used to following a bicycle too. I rode a 50 cc scooter and often that would slow down to below 20 mph too, so I think the electric bike might operate like the small gas scooters. Wish I know how easy it would be to get up this steep hill by my house using the e-bike. I don't want to pedal.

  • Bikers need to use sidewalks or don't ride. PERIOD. many riders i see ride two to a bike lane on road causing traffic hazard all becuz of Ego. Here in Phoenix too many bikers who don't know the laws and cut cars off causing more hazards going clear cut across intersections etc...

  • @lovsoup FYI, bicycle laws in Phoenix are very clear; Bicycles are vehicles that must adhere to the same laws as cars. They must ride in the street or provided bicycle lane, and cars are to give them three feet of clearance. It is against the law for a bicycle to be operated on sidewalks here in Phoenix, unless there is no way that vehicles can provide that 3 foot clearance. Look it up in AZ statutes ARS 28-735 and 28-815.

  • @tbarzso Thanks for sharing... well, for my safety when I ride a bike here in Phoenix Metro I will still use the sidewalk. A cop can arrest me and I will have good reason. Stupid law banning bikes from sidewalks... let's just force people into more dangerous situations why don't we.

  • What happens if the battery completely drains? Can you still ride it on just pedal power?

  • E-bike commuting is fun.

  • ebikes could help tremendously in getting folks to go car-less or car-light. Why don't we have the same investment in developing them as we do for e-cars? I would not buy a Nissan Leaf for $40,000 but I'd buy a really good reliable ebike for $1,000 and forget about gas or e-cars altogether.

  • How much is this bike and how does it compare to the 500 dollar bike kits that you can buy to install on an existing bike? Those kits use a 36 V sealed acid battery and can go the legal limit ( for an e-bike in the USA) of 20 mph and a 20 mile range without peddling and before having to recharge.

  • western voices world news

  • what about pakistanis, here in pakistan eletricity is so expensive then any fuell. :(

  • lol. shes a lit up electric robot

  • I just bought an e-bike. I will do 250 miles a week on it to work and back. I'm glad this gal enjoys her e-bike; but I will not be wearing a damn helmet. The baseball cap will be prefered. It doesn't keep you dry or prevent skull fractures, but it does make the rain a lot less ennoying. I will keep some extra lights; the cops in my town are very eager to give tickets...

  • oil boys, are you watching ??  the pain is coming... soon... hehehehhehehe

  • this is a great video for someone who wants to start bkie commuting. I've been doing this for about 2 years in Columbus Ohio. I've transformed my Giant Boulder SE into a commuter with fenders and slick 1.95 tires.

  • For those who 'would like to make that effort to START getting in shape' there are plenty of flat roads and trails to get started on. I see no elderly, arthritic, or injured people in this video. It is a video about able-bodied people looking for an easy alternative by still continuing to using energy exterior to themselves to power them around, period. What an amazing psychological ruse you play with yourselves to dream up these hypothetical scenarios to justify laziness.

  • We are all in different places about exercise. This video is about one person's choice, not intended to cover others' situations. If Sally gets more exercise and is healthier because the electric-ASSIST bike opens possibilities -- she wins.

    Where I live in the foothills, flat non-gravel roads are a long, long way off and with many hills of steep up and down. Electric assist could help me get there.

  • @rhizomaticon I happeneed to like the video. The only problem was the reflective tape because I didnt see any on the sides of the buckets. She should definately have side reflection. I think the milk carton idea is great. I ended up getting a big bag for the front of my bike, but if I ever commute on bike I'll look into the milk crate idea

  • @rhizomaticon Here points are all VALID. She is comparing her eBIKE to a gasoline powered motor to get around town. By all accounts this is far from lazy, and I suspect she puts YOUR LAZY arse to shame. Get off your soapbox.

  • @rhizomaticon

    Fuck that, Im not walking 12 kilometers to work everymorning.

  • @rhizomaticon well said tobad your comment is hidden

  • @rhizomaticon Really? I am an elite amatuer road cyclist and use an electric bike for most commuting because training doesn't fit in with commuting for me. What does that make me? I'd say it makes me similar to most people who don't want to be covered in sweat getting to work, eating constantly all day, lugging 8mph up hills, spending excessive time commuting. Dude, seriously? Hating on ebikes? I can only image what you think of 90% of America who drives a car. It's about senseable commuting.

  • @melissa nice ad hominem argument-- if I may, narrow minded is believing that 'older people' will more likely ride a bicycle if it's electric. Narrow minded is believing that people with injuries can't also power themselves (I'm thinking of a local war protestor who was run over by a munitions train and lost his legs and still powers himself around). Narrow minded is believing that if you can come up with a small # of exceptions, you legitimate the comfy easy escape for the masses.

  • Seems like a very heavy option

  • Excellent - The number one rule for cycling should be it should be enjoyable. If it is not, those who start will simply give it up unless they are forced to do so by high gas prices. Of course, there are those who feel everyone should ride a bike, whether they can do so comfortably or not. Frankly, I think those people should be forced to walk everywhere, under all circumstances, period.

  • Good video!

  • Even MacGyver would be stunned by all this!

  • We need open components for source e-bike and fuel-motorized-bike so everyone and everywhere people can be repaired and upgraded or even converted. Volunteer club for roadside assistance is needed as well. Of course if there are fuel/electric/pedal hybrid models designed and available for hub wheel then we all would live with biking without a doubt.

  • Movinng form Gas-powered vehicles to some other kind of energy is NOT the solution!

    All that becomes popular and conveniet will be made extremely price blown by the armies of commercial speculants of the so called capitalist market speculants! Am I not Right?

    Salute from Russia!

  • Getting older heaver and out of shape. The solution: sitting on a e-bike. Wouldn't it be better to just use a normal bike and get in shape?

  • Sally said she got this electric-assist bike so she could ride it like a normal bike (to help get in shape), but have the electric-assist when she really needed it. She knew herself well enough to realize a pedal-only bike would be too much work and she wouldn't utilize it.

  • it is precisely this dynamic-- that people refuse to take the time and put in the effort to get in shape-- that led us down the car path and will lead us down the path to another energy crisis. People need to get out of the mentality that transportation should be about ease and convenience, period. Anything besides powering yourself is a crime against the planet-- stop kidding yourselves.

  • @XCritonX

    Some people have arthritis in their knees which makes hill climbing very painful for them an E-bike is the solution. Not everyone is in perfect health and I'm willing to bet you are one of them Criton.

  • @XCritonX this is a utility vehicle, ,like a motorbike or car. bikes are for transport not exersize

  • got a e-bike yesterday, and its rediculus silent and fast, got many eyes gazing at me when i outran a gang of bikers in a slope

  • and one thing is still missing...the gun and a cople of granades , who knows what`s gonna happen when you`re riding...

  • you can fit a howitzer on the mini trailer.

  • haha, yeah, good idea))

  • The shower cap on the seat is great. A seat cover in a bike shop costs 4 to 12 bucks, and a shower cap costs a buck and a half.

  • great Video, thanks for takng the time to put it together. i also would like to ask you to consider getting rid of the screws for the helmet light for your own safety. EOS does make a velcro strap for that light. I;'ve been thinking of going electric for my wife, I'll get her to take a look at this video.

  • Comment removed

  • i live in a state that has some 230 days of overcast ,rain possible any day,plus winter and days of heavy wind.plus no sidewalks or bike lanes,in short you will die.i know because iv been hit by cars.i will never bike commute.

  • There's no one right answer for anything. Many communities will need to get reconstructed to make it safe for bikes and pedestrians. We probably won't bike commute, either, because it's a serious uphill downhill uphill downhill on gravel roads for 6 miles to town. Electric would help, a trike would be better, with lots of flags and lights. I think a more workable solution will be a car-share or jitney.

  • I've read some complaints about electric bikes being considered mopeds in some places. Here in Australia, it varies from state to state, but generally the maximum output if the motor must be less than 200 watts, and pedals must be retained as the primary method of propulsion (that is, you don't take the pedals off to fit the motor). Otherwise, it is considered a motor-cycle and must be registered as such.

    I also note that she screwed the lights onto her helmet - USE TAPE OR GLUE - not screws.

  • Let me understand: it's an electric vehicle, but she needs to carry a whole set of extra batteries for all the lamps? And riding in the rain is ok when the value of life is less than the batteries, but not adviceable if your death would be a tragedy for your loved ones.

  • you are missing the point.. in purpose of course, but you are..

  • That's one heavy bike for a commuter. Things I didn't see for commuting. Spare tubes, you will get flats even with kevlar belted tires. No pump or CO2 inflater. Those may have been in the backpack or milk crate.

    The trailer is a neat idea.

    My commuter is a 27 speed "cyclocross" type bike with front disc brake. I am the motor. I am just getting warmed up at the end of my 11 mile ride to work.

  • What about bears?

  • What ABOUT bears and e-bikes?

  • Does it go??? Ours does! Nice video!

  • You bet it does! I (Janaia, host) was disappointed not to get to ride it...we squeezed in taping this Peak Moment show as the light was fading, so I didn't get to take a trial ride. But I got to ride another e-bike (see Peak Moment #88 "Making Way for Bikes.")

  • But screwing in a light onto a helmet means you weakened the shell structure thus no point wearing it. Even sticking on to carbon shells may damage the structure, the whole purpose of a head protection is thus defeated!

  • actually screwing a bulb to the helmet affects in no considerable way its effectiveness.. even a severely cracked helmet will save your life in a typical bike accident..

  • Congratulations u failed to ride it what a shitty review

  • Sweet set-up! I am moving from Las Vegas to Seattle in a couple months and am hoping to sell my car and buy an electric bike. Very informative video.

  • Great vid. Hubbie afraid of dogs is hilarious. I too wear a hat under helmet so that is cool. Trailor was awesome also.

  • this would be awesome shes in washington as well so im guessing works well in the rain!

  • very very soon people will be riding bikes or walking or running, or what ever else instead of using gas vehicles, cause america is headed towards a depretion very very soon. this september/october is when it will happen. people buy alot of can foods and water. this august 13th of 2008 america might attack iran to. just expect it to happen

  • Lots of good tips for practical e-bike commuting. I agree that it isn't wise to screw anything into the helmet. I'd superglue or epoxy it on instead.

  • How many lights do you need?!?!?!

  • Nickel Metal Hydride battery IS NOT a new technology, it is the old type. The new version is now Lithium Ion. It will last 800 charges instead of 500 for NiMH

  • PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS!

    Screwing anything into a helmet compromises the integrity of the helmet and puts you (the helmet-wearer) at greater risk.

    Bicycle helmets are designed to be single-use: they are made of closed-cell foam that shatters and breaks on impact to dissipate energy. If you've already shattered that foam with a screw (pointing straight towards your head, no less!), you've reduced the crash-protecting abilities of that helmet significantly.

    Don't screw stuff into helmets!!!

  • Glue it instead!

  • Agreed. that's what 2-part epoxy is for.

  • Thanks. Our guest was really knowledgeable and articulate, and she packed a lot of practical info in! A perfect orientation...

  • Really interesting, informative and inspiring video. Thanks.

  • Thanks to Ms. Lovell, she knows her stuff. Where I work (Canberra Australia) has a bike cage with power outlets for bike chargers and there are two electric bikes there regularly. I'm still pedalling.

  • execellent video, nice lady, shame her mum and dad wouldent let her join the boy scouts, its all coming out. Bless

  • you can retrofit a mountain bike for around $500

  • Aptera look it up on utube 300 mpg car that could be built with a biodiesel engine. Some have family obligations and can't get rid of their cars I just had surgery what to do with me I had to have a car no way to ride a bike.

    When I go to work I can't ride a bike 40 miles. I only go to work maybe 4 times a month but when I do I have to have a good car. When I am home I use the electric bike and trailer.Truckers are never home if they are they go broke or are injured as I am.

  • Very interesting. I already use a bike for commuting to school. I live in Boone, NC which is in the mountains and the electric motor would definitely help on the steep hills around here. Otherwise I will pedal for the exercise. It is too bad that so many people hate cyclists and hate setting up any kind of trails, lanes or paths for bicycles. It seems that people still want us all hooked on our big old gas guzzling cars.

  • Take a look at Peak Moment #88, "Making Way for Bikes" about a city council member's work to get bike & pedestrian lanes in Port Townsend, WA. (Check his e-bike, too.) On your last sentence, just change people to "moneyed interests". Of course -- far more money to be used up in cars than bikes.

  • My situation is I am over weight the electric allows me to go on a trip and do all I can when I need help motor up as soon as I can I pedal I can average 16 mph on a 12 mile run for someone that is not an advid biker that is great. At the end of that 12 miles urban ride the bike needs a charge but most folks work 8 hours a day charge while you work the trip home is faster than a car we have congestion at rush hour.

  • rpsecrst that sucks that you got cited how much did it cost you?? I just googled Electric Bike Minnesota(where I live) and found legislation that states that I have to register my bike and pay a $6 annual tax. Lame but still cheaper than a tank of gas!! amped bikes dot com everyone should check it out!

  • Great vid.

  • Thanks for wonderful vid.. and this might sound like the chauvinist I am, but women do a really great job of explaining things to women. This is doing a good job of getting the word out about how well light weight electric vehicles work. So many are not aware of the battery advances and life's improvement with a little exercise. A nice aspect is one can find a model to match one's exercise desire/ability out of the many options of ebikes out there these days.. thanks again.

  • i had a go on an electric bike once. they are so much fun!

  • good vid, lots of info thanks for the coverage

    john weaver

  • In Pennsylvania Electric Bikes & segways require registration as a moped. I was cited for riding an unregistered vehicle when riding mine in September 2007, the citation was upheld in local court.

    The bike is great. The Pennsylvania law is bad. Help me fight for e-bike recognition in Pennsylvania.

  • My ebike goes about 35-40 miles an hour and to convert it to electric is about $250. It's sort of bootleg, but it works just fine.

  • i have 15 segways

  • Tell folks what a segway is. They're pretty amazing!

  • why 15? collector or seller? what is your opinion of the four wheeled version?=D

  • Wonderful video. I'm try to bicycle commute as often as possible. I love to see the ideas that others use to make getting around easier. Thanks!

  • I've owned an electric bike (moped-style) for 5 months now. I don't even pedal (I'm an avid walker) - I love it !

  • i've been pedaling my yamaha PAS bicyle for eight years now.

  • I would have liked to see that bike running...

  • Electric bikes are pure win.

    I love my electric scooter.

  • Great video. I produce and direct instructional videos and am producing a dvd on how to convert a regular bike to electric with a front hub kit. I found your video very helpful. keep up the good work!!

    David Welch

    Shining Star Video Productions

    Valparaiso, IN

  • Hey man where can I find this DVD of yours. what will it tech me?

  • Think about an electric, enclosed, recumbent. Now, THAT I would buy. Although, seriously, now that the batteries are better, the motor is built in the hub, and gas prices are so high, I'm gonna get a 24" kit for my mountain bike. The time is NOW.

  • fantastic, smart,a pleasure to watch !

    andrés from santiago, chile.

  • Interesting video.. would've been better if there were some technical aspects mentioned (battery capacity and voltage, motor amp draw on level run at a given speed, etc). After all, if that was in the video, I wouldn't have to waste power by leaving my computer on while I google it all by my lonesome, hehe.

  • One thing about famous brand e-bike is, if the battery dies you have to buy a very expensive one. And if that e-bike is out model, your e-bike will be stranded.

  • Not so. That pack could easily be rebuilt with new cells. Most likely a D cell pack of NiMhs. Local ebike shop or electronics kid or handyman would find it little challenging.

  • $1000!!! about$200 here, in NanJing,China, nearly everyone has one like this. Not because we love the environment but it's the fastest way to get to work/school/shop in downtown, faster than bike and avoid the congestion.

  • I met "that guy" in seattle. i think the cost should come way down. Its bought in china, it seems the shipping cost kicks up the price 300 percent or more. I really want to see better tech looking at motors for existing bicycles ,at really low costs.

  • ...And, when you fall on that light that's bolted on the front of the helmet, it'll drive the screws right through your skull into your brain.

  • I agree. The bolts can go straight through the helmet into the skull. And that can crack the skull...

  • Didn't know that--about e-bikes in national parks. Yet one more good reason to get one! Terrific!

  • WONDERFUL!!! now if we can get the rest of the USA thinking this way! I am buying one of the 48volt Street Bikes this wk. and trad'n n my little gas powered ped'lr for a quiet ride...wish you had mentioned that..e bikes are allowed in national parks where my motor bike is not!!!

    HAPPY SPRING PED'N!!!! with a bzzzzzzzzz motor

  • That's also true for Austria - if you know that little country in the center of Europe. :P

  • great info!ALL I NEEDED!THANKS!

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