Electric Bikes
Northwest+California

Driving Less and Enjoying It

When it comes to transportation in the U.S. the bicycle is rarely considered a serious option while in highly developed countries such as Belgium, Denmark, Holland, Japan, Norway and Sweden (as well as in a small number of U.S. communities) the bicycle is used to get around by a fair percentage of “mainstream” individuals. When factual information about such widespread, actual use is brought in to the U.S. “debate” it is usually impatiently dismissed.

In addition, those who do not know better than bringing up such facts are often chastised for not being “realistic” and “practical”. There are some 800 million cars and light trucks (of which the U.S., with 4% of the world's population, owns about one third) in the world today. Ought we at least not wonder whether all these vehicles (with more being rapidly added) constitute a “realistic” and “practical” manner in which to transport ourselves, to take care of the planet, its resources and future generations?

Even those dismissive of the bicycle's role in transportation may concede that the lowly bicycle is affordable, highly efficient, needing only minimal maintenance and space, is benign to the environment, promotes health and fitness, does not require foreign wars to fuel it (although can we these days be sure?), is easy to park etc. Those of us with first-hand bike riding experience would also above all add: Fun to ride.

If a person chooses to believe that wearing a bike helmet flattens hairdos beyond repair, that bicycling suggests financial failure, that all travel must be undertaken in a glass and metal bubble (of 25 times the weight of the rider and 1,000 times the power of his or her legs), that there is not time enough to bicycle, that it is not safe etc., then presumably the matter shall rest there? These assumptions may, on the other hand, be nothing but feeble excuses why the same vehicle that remains treasured by many Americans for recreation is frowned upon for transportation (even for short distances, on moderate terrain and with light loads).

But what if we are reluctant to bicycle simply because we find hills too taxing, that perspiration is not acceptable for arriving to certain appointments, that we cannot seem to stick to pedaling or we assume that with age biking cannot possibly be as joyous as it was when we were children or young adults? In such event, here is the great news:

The electric bike lets us glide up moderate hills. It lets us decide, at any and each moment, whether we want to pedal hard or lightly (or anywhere on a continuum in between). It provides the option of arriving at a destination crisp and presentable. We find that we happily stick to biking and look forward to our next ride. All this plus the lightness, ease, and pure fun of childhood riding is put back into biking when we partner with a quiet, strong, small and light electric motor.

With the price of gas these days one can ride an electric bike for several months before spending the same dollar amount charging it as for one single gallon of gasoline.

Even in our automobile society there are actually millions of us who bicycle. The advent of the electric bike has made it even more enjoyable to ride and to do so regularly. More and more of those who are reluctant to pedal are no longer so. We treasure the elation that the blending of human and electric power bestows. A deeply satisfying experience awaits you. Why not give yourself the chance to find out?

Copyright © 2007 Folding Bikes West

April 2008

Eric Sundin used to own an electric car until it brilliantly dawned on him that it occupies exactly the same space in traffic as a combustion engine car of identical dimensions and that driving offers no opportunity for exercise (except for occasionally pushing it). Since 1996 it is a rare day when Eric does not instead ride one of his electric and pedal-only folding bikes.