Your Views on...Electric Bikes (Dissertation Project)

iPete

I'd consider owning one if I lived in Zone 1, where owning a car would be a massive no and wanted to get to work/pub/social events completely sweat free. Something like a GoCycle that isn't pretending to look like a normal bike.

It would in no way replace my fitness cycling / distance commuting.

roger_merriman

iPete wrote:

I'd consider owning one if I lived in Zone 1, where owning a car would be a massive no and wanted to get to work/pub/social events completely sweat free. Something like a GoCycle that isn't pretending to look like a normal bike.

It would in no way replace my fitness cycling / distance commuting.

For that sort of use, walk? Less hassle locking bike etc.

iPete

I despise using my legs for anything other than cycling.

To be honest a fixie pub beater would be my first choice then a Boris. Like you say, locking up an expensive e-Bike would be hassle and make for paranoid trips.

gbsahne001

iPete wrote:

Something like a GoCycle that isn't pretending to look like a normal bike.

£2.5k

iPete

gbsahne wrote:

iPete wrote:

Something like a GoCycle that isn't pretending to look like a normal bike.

£2.5k

It wouldn't be that hard to justify if it greatly improved my life style.
In Zone 1 I'd have to sell the car and buy a travel card, that's £££.

All hypothetical, Id more than likely build myself a fixie beater and some deodorant or return to Brompton ownership.
Who knows, maybe Brompton will get around to sorting out Project X.

elbowloh

TGOTB wrote:

elbowloh wrote:

Well, compared to a moped or scooter, for an e-bike you don't need a licence or insurance. No emissions either and no need to pay for petrol.

erm... You don't need insurance, but (as for a bike) it would be wise.

As for emissions, electric bikes in the UK are powered primarily by coal, which is one of the dirtiest fossil fuels going (and yes, you have to pay for it...)

Pretty sure that insurance is mandatory for scooters/mopeds. Another thing, you need CBT.

elbowloh

I think peeps are forgetting that e-bikes are electrically assisted only. You have to pedal. If you don't pedal, it doesn't go (apart from freewheeling, as opposed to those mopeds which you pedal to get it started.

The motor does not power the bike, it only assists the rider.

markhewitt1978

I would imagine a primary application of electric assist would be to enable someone to commute to work by bike who can't / doesn't want to handle that massive hill that stands in the way.