FAQ
- Is it for me?
- Are Electric Bikes Safe?
- Can they go Uphill?
- Is it good for fitness?
- What is the advantage?
- How heavy is an electric bike?
- How efficient is it?
- How much electricity does it need to charge?
- What is the running cost?
- Is it genuinely sustainable if it uses electricity?
- What types of drive motors are available?
- What is the maximum person's weight?
- How fast can it travel using only power?
- What about the resale value?
- Are there battery upgrades?
- How to dispose the batteries?
Is it for me?
If you enjoy riding a conventional bike or a motorcycle you will love the smooth and quiet and yet strong ride that only an electric bike can provide.
Are Electric Bikes Safe?
The Mathematics is compelling. Think of a steep or busy road, with cars moving at 40 Km/hr and you are pedaling at 10 K/h, with an electric bike you could tackle the same road at 20 K/h (or more) with power assisted, 33% fewer cars will pass you, and they will pass you at 20 K/h rather that 30 or at least we think that is right. The same general principle applies to road junctions, the faster your acceleration, the sooner you can get out of trouble. And with no need to rush the hills, you won’t be tempted to rush downhill at breakneck speed… another safety feature.
Can they go Uphill?
That may sound obvious, but it is the primary advantage. A good electric bike effectively flattens hills. Increasing your average speed and eliminating the groan factor when a gradient comes into view. Provided you supply a reasonable amount of effort you can expect to climb hill of 10% slope factor with easy, and clear a maximum gradient of 14% or much more. In hilly country, the effect is nothing short of miraculous.
Is it good for fitness?
Surely a conventional bike will keep you fitter? That depends how much – if at all - you use it. Research has found that 46% conventional bikes are used less than twice a week and that 30% are only used once in a while. By contrast a recent survey of electric bike owners shows that 30% are used at least once a day and that 81% are used at least once a week. The figures confirm that electric bikes are used at least twice as often as conventional bikes. Because riding an electric bike is more enjoyable in hilly roads or against headwinds or when carry heavy loads, users tend to make better use of them. In electric bikes the motor provides up to half the effort of riding it, but more regular use means more exercising for the rider.
What is the advantage?
Scooters and motorcycles need to be registered, platted, insured and stay on roads. Traditional bikes require that you supply all the energy from your body which leads to larger intake of food to replenish the energy burned after you use it, an electric bike will give you the best of both worlds. The sweat factor is another advantage when used to transport you to your workplace.
How heavy is an electric bike
A typical electric bike is expected to be much heavier that a conventional bike, but recent improvements in manufacturing the motors and batteries provided much lighter units that rival the traditional bikes, and they are not cumbersome bulky, the average model will weigh around 25 kilograms (55 pounds) batteries included. But newer models are being manufactured using Lithuim Ion batteries with a total weight less than 18 Kilograms (39 pounds).
How efficient is it?
The average electric bike provides about 200 watts of traction power and almost all of the energy is transferred to the wheel, by contrast a gas powered scooter will use the equivalent of about 15,000 watts of energy from which 85% of that power is wasted as heat transferred to the environment.
How much electricity does it need to charge?
One full charge of the batteries requires about the same amount of energy than a 100 watt light bulb will consume in one evening or approximately half a kilowatt-hour, if your electrical utility company charges you 10 cents per kilowatt-hour consumed, the total cost of electricity is of 5 cents per charge.
What is the running cost?
The cost of running your electric bike has been estimated at around $300 per year including the price of purchase and maintenance, making it one of the most cost effective and convenient second only to walking, but not much if you factor the cost of shoes. The mileage you put on it, makes only a small difference in the cost of operating it.
Is it genuinely sustainable if it uses electricity?
Purchase electricity from a “Green” supplier or generate your own with a roof-mounted windmill or solar panel array and the vehicle fossil fuel consumption will be zero. A conventional bike does that already? Only if you grow the food you consume while riding it. Unfortunately most modern food production and distribution is so energy-intensive that the consumption of a typical cyclist is not terribly efficient.
What types of drive motors are available?
There are three types of motor drive or hub, they could be mounted in the front wheel, in the pedal assembly or they could be mounted in the rear wheel along with the gears.
What is the maximum person's weight?
The maximum weight recommended for a person to ride an electric bike is 110 Kg (240 lb)
How fast can it travel using only power?
When you ride your bike and use power only you can travel up to 18 Km/h (11 Mile/h) in flat roads and using the highest gear, of course terrain conditions, the uphill factor and the headwind can decrease your speed. If in addition to the power from the bike you also assist with pedaling you will go up in speed to about 28 Km/h (17 Mile/h).
What about the resale value?
Electric bikes are new technology, and it’s early days yet, but the evidence points to a much better resale value than a conventional bike. True a typical electric bike cost more to buy, at $1000+, but it seems you’ll get most of that back if you sell the machine on.
Are there battery upgrades?
There are three types of batteries: Sealed gel Lead Acid (LA) battery which is standard in most bikes models, weights about 8 Kg (18 lb) and provides reliable power for at least 300 recharge cycles. The Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery, weights about 4 Kg (10 lb), it offers more power than LA type and charges faster, it also provides about 500 recharge cycles. And more recently the Lithium Ion batteries which provide the largest amount of power, weight only 3 Kg (7 lb) and last at least 1000 charge cycles. Before attempting to upgrade please consult with your reseller/distributor.
How to dispose the batteries?
Batteries must be disposed or recycled according to the laws if effects in your locality, most municipalities also have recycling programs, we encourage you to find one and use it. Your battery distributor is also equipped with programs to dispose the batteries.
