We sell and service Human Power Augmented a.k.a. Electric bikes and ride them enthusiastically ourselves. See also our folding bikes at Folding Bikes West.
To order phone 800/940-6548 (not operable from all U.S. locations) or 206/547-4621 or visit one of our stores:
Please note that on February 1, 2008 we moved within Seattle to:
Electric Bikes Northwest
4810 17th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107 - Map
ph: 206/547-4621
ph: 800/940-6548
fx: 206/547-4841
Email form
Spring Hours
Monday through Friday: 11–6
Saturday: 11–5
Electric & Folding Bikes California
(store established 2006)
220 Wisconsin Ave
Oceanside, CA 92054 - Map
(30 miles north of San Diego)
ph: 760/757-3440
ph: 800/940-6548
Email form
Hours
Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays: 11-3
Saturdays: 10-4
If we read motor publications one never-ceasing trend stands out: Progress is clearly viewed in the context of more power. Can anyone recall when last a new model year vehicle was introduced as "Now ... with Less Power"? The lemming race for more power is oblivious to speed limits, diminishing fuel supplies, pollution, traffic fatalities, petroleum-related wars, and ever-slower traffic. There does not seem to be anything even remotely ridiculous, in the eyes of automakers and consumers, about 100+ mph top speed cars largely snailing along at average 20 mph urban commutes.
Be the above as it may, if the average car is 160 HP while the average driver can reasonably sustain (in a more useful and healthy activity than sitting behind a steering wheel) 100 Watt or 0.13 HP we calculate a car-to-driver power ratio of 1230:1. If the average car weighs 3,600 lb and the average driver 165 lbs the car-to-driver weight ratio is 22:1. Clearly human power does not matter here.
What would the ratio be for a small 50 cc motor scooter? If such a scooter produces 5 hp the power would still be a lopsided 33:1. Human power does not matter overly with a 200 lbs vehicle ( + rider) weight—even if scooters had pedals.
On the other hand as e.g. the 48 lb Giant Lite develops 230 Watt (0.31HP) of continuous power the bike-to-rider power ratio drops to a mere 2.3:1 and the bike-to-rider weight ratio to an inverted 1:3.4. Is there a message and opportunity here? Certainly, provided we are interested. Human power can matter and it does matter greatly in the right application.
Copyright © 2006 Folding Bikes West
Eric Sundin contends that our society does not need yet another vehicle or contraption that totally replaces human power. The electric-assisted bicycle rather blends human and electric power. Since 1996 Eric has ridden more than 20,000 miles on numerous makes and models hereof.