whats your reason for useing electric bike

[prState]

I bought my Giant Lafree (twist), because I wanted a way to travel in summer here, and arrive without sweating up a storm or dying (and not take a car, which, even with air conditioning still has blistering heat until it cools off inside). Also, walking was slow, and the sun will fry you in 20 minutes.

And it has worked well for that, though, in extreme heat I still usually limit my distances to around 4 miles round trip. The metal on the bike becomes so hot, I have to wear my leather motorcyle gloves 'cause touching the metal becomes like touching a stove nearly.

Actually, I have noticed I might be the only idiot out riding a bicycle when the temps are over 110 and more.

 

[flecc]

Great thread Keith, this one's running and running. On the third page in just a few hours.
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[keithhazel]

every electric biker..please post here..thanks

thanks Flecc, its one ive really enjoyed reading,ive learnt more or at least as much about things not technical which leave me frustrated such as amps or ah on batteries ect, i enjoy reading them as i learning but ive never been clever technically, thats why i ask others, manual is me, hearing differnt people from all countries and walks of life, differnt bikes for different reasons, different courses, however all these people who go to work ive not heard anyone mention about cycling in bad weather, what do they do in wind and rain ?...im expecting my quando very soon and as its got the balls for wind and gradients (one technical term i understand) im going to be an all weather biker, especially as for xmas pressy got a quality set of weather proofs, would be brill if everyone on the forum could post, no reason not too, there is loads to learn even from none technical postings.

 

[flecc]

We have had quite a few threads on bad weather gear Keith. Because I'm not a commuter, I haven't taken part in them, but with any luck someone who has will link you to one of them, also adding their reasons for e-biking.

One good thing with the Quando's power is that when it's bad, you can just huddle up to protect yourself from the worst of it, just letting the bike do the work.
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[frank9755]

Keith,
I use my bike in all weather. E-bikes are good for strong winds as they give you a bit more power to keep going. With rain, I might think about not using it for a second but, once I've started, with a reasonable waterproof on, its great fun and I've never regretted cycling in rain. The only thing that would stop me would be if there was lots of ice or snow lying on the ground.
Frank

 

[fishingpaul]

i use my electric bike for a little exercise,i use it for work also, but having a car, i often use this when cold and wet.i got my first electric bike after trying a normal bike up a fairly steep hill, and realising i was a little unfit,riding an electric bike is fun and makes hills much easier,making the difference beetween riding a bike being a pleasure and a pain.

 

[aaannndddyyy]

A loss of my driving license forced me out of my car and off my motor bike for six mouths last year, and an electric bike seemed a good stop gap, I have had my license back for six months now but still use an electric bike for 90% of all my journeys, cheaper, faster in many circumstance, I suffer from less road rage and stress, and no number plates for ID for when I do get a little angry with all the idiot car van and taxi drivers out there.

 

[BossBob]

, cheaper, faster in many circumstance, I suffer from less road rage and stress,

seconded

As for the wet weather I use a motorcyclists rain suit from HG for £40 , my bikers winter gloves or my Ski gloves, ski hat and my bikers boots, Altbergs.

It can rain all it wants, only my face gets it, and as the suit is damn near windproof at those speeds it keeps me pretty warm too.

 

[HarryB]

I cycle because I have no choice but public transport which in our capital is overcrowded and unreliable. I tried a normal bike but could only manage the daily 20 miles perhaps 3 or 4 days a week before exhaustion sets in. The electric bike is the perfect balance between exercise and assistance and I have lost about 6 kg in the process (but I wasn't overweight to start with). I now cycle every day saving me at least 25 minutes, in 18 months have only been late a couple of times - 10 minutes late due to damp getting into a connection and a puncture (pre Marathon plus days). All in all highly recommended if a bit scary at times.

I cycle in all weathers but I suppose if there was a layer of snow on the road I would get public transport. I carry wet weather gear of reasonable quality (Altura) whenever I commute and I never arrive wet - sometimes a bit damp maybe. To be honest I have got a lot more wet walking from the tube to work (8 minutes) when the heavens opened than I have ever done on a bike. Cold is not much of a problem, the secret is a good hat to keep the ears warm and good gloves obviously. All the equipment cost initially but you get it all back once you start saving on other forms of transport - cars or public transport.

 

[allotmenteer]

Getting back on topic and away from cars my car (a Citroen C1 3 cylinder petrol version if anyone is interested )

I've got a C1 too! How much mpg do you get from it? I'm averaging 58.7 mpg so far (mind you I've only filled it up 10 times since 1st June!)

Oh, I got into electric biking because I wanted to make my 16 mile each way trip to work more feasible by bike. The major factor for me was the time it takes to do it on a non-assisted bike (1 hour 15 minutes, maybe slightly more on the way home). Now that I've upped the voltage on my kit I've done it in 48 minutes which is fantastic. I've not done the work trip in December due to the freezing weather (worried about sliding off at high speed) but as soon as the weather (and light) improves I shall use it lots. I reckon I'll do the work commute about 3 days a week from April to October.

 

[flecc]

(mind you I've only filled it up 10 times since 1st June!)

I've filled my Fabia 25 times - - -

since September 2003.
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[fishingpaul]

you are an inspiration flecc,it takes real guts to use a bike nearly all the time,when you have a car sitting on your drive,all too often i am tempted by the easy option,when its raining or cold.

 

[flecc]

Thanks Paul, but it's actually much easier for me in a way.

I keep the little Q bike in my home, but the car is in a garage at the top of the hill. Makes a big difference when the two wheels are so handy and ready to roll.

The alternative of a trek, get the car out, re-lock (triple locks) the garage etc, and repeat that at the end of the trip makes the car more effort on many of my shorter trips.
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[Citrus]

=allotmenteer;16008]I've got a C1 too! How much mpg do you get from it? I'm averaging 58.7 mpg so far (mind you I've only filled it up 10 times since 1st June!)

I have had my C1 nearly two years now. I get about 62 mpg in the Summer months and about 55mpg in the Winter (cold starts). I am doing pretty much the same as you with regards to ebiking - going to use the bike 3 or 4 times a week from March to October and my motorbike for anything else (I get 63 mpg from it). Car will be used for my wedding work in the Summer.

 

[Branwen]

I bought my lafree twist light in 2003 because I have asthma and wanted a low impact non aerobic exercise method to help improve it. It was the only one light enough to ride with the motor off at that time. With the motor off the hills and flat areas are harder to ride than a normal bike because of the battery weight, but the hills are easier, giving a more regular effort needed in excercise. Its been helpful in pain management to have this kind of exercise as I developed Fibromyalgia this year too, with related circulation problems. Way better than standing at a cold bus stop then travelling to work standing all the way at rush hour, and the journey is 20 minutes instead of an hour and a half on two buses.

I can definately recommend it for health reasons, and anyone that says that cant be right and its just a lazy form of cycling (which I have been told before) doesnt know what they are talking about.

 

[keithhazel]

another 540 to go

great viewing up to now, real interesting for me...however 553 active members and 13 made postings so another 540 to read...

 

[flecc]

Quite a few members are only seen in here on working weekdays Keith, using the boss's time, so you'll have to wait a few days for them.
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[keithhazel]

i suppose if they clock off and pay for their internet time cost thats ok.

 

[fcurran]

Quite a few members are only seen in here on working weekdays Keith, using the boss's time, so you'll have to wait a few days for them.
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Ok so Im using the Boss' time but....!!!

I use my bike mainly for my daily 2.5 mile trip each way to and from work. It takes about 10 minutes door to door depending on traffic and how brave I am feeling weaving between the cars. If I drove/walked or bussed, it would take in excess of half an hour. Its also free for me, and I get some exercise while I'm doing it (more so on the commute home than to work). So main reasons are, time, cost, convenience, exercise and fun!! Also the green side of things encourage me to use the bike. At the end of the day I would much rather get my bike out than travel by car.

Frank
Powabyke Ltd

 

[carpetbagger]

i bought my powabyke because i am pretty much surrounded by hills. It is no fun getting to the top and spending fifteen mins getting your breath back and smelling like a dirty laundry basket in the process..I use it mainly for leisure but try where possible to leave the car at home if i can use the bike...I have said this before but if there were more cycle lanes i think a lot more people would switch to pedal/electric power for work...I certainly would...if a didn't work from home.