I come from two worlds: Bicycles and Motorcycles. Electric bicycles are the perfect melding between the two worlds for me.

That being said, comes the question of apparel. I guess they're called clothes in the bicycle world...

I live in Phoenix and summers reaching 117º Fahrenheit are common, as well as brisk winters...

Since it's summer, I'd like to talk about motorcycle style - extreme HEAT apparel that WORKS with wind (not in a car). MESH jacket and pants to keep the sun OFF my skin. No need for sunscreen (which is gross) because the sun can't see me, and I'm in ALL BLACK TOO. The color black, with opaque mesh that is hardcore and kevlar or cordura something. The wind goes right through this, even just walking you feel the breeze as if you were butt-naked. You will freeze your ass off in this suit in 75º Fahrenheit on a motored cycle. Seriously. It is only for EXTREME heat. Now, I couple that with one of these water-polymer vests that hold water for 24 hours but doesn't feel wet against your skin or clothes. It's basically a body swamp-cooler pad for the wind I'm "making" by riding. 115º Fahrenheit at 40 mph is COLD, fresh, refreshing, and FREE!!! (No stagnant air from keeping the windows up in your greenhouse and using more gas to power the A/C compressor, word.)

Now do I go with a motorcycle suit with a motorcycle helmet, on a bicycle?!!?

I'm pretty sure I'd get a lot of flack from 'real' motorcyclists and everyone else as well. It's also hard to pedal in the motorcycle pants and the boots.

I think there is an untapped market for "electric bicycling" apparel that I really need to kick off with my own line. Just a merging of the two styles, for instance:

Lighter, more flexible and less hard-core armor built into electric bicycling jackets and pants, with calf hugging zippered ankles for pedaling without chainring interference.

Basically a very "streamlined" and body hugging version of motorcycle apparel built with lower speeds in mind.

Same with the helmets... Full face (for bugs and rain, etc.) with not quite as much thickness, since we're going slower... It would be lighter, and more aerodynamic than my full face Shoei Multitec.

I'm curious what the rest of you wear for this "sport". I'm betting most choose "bicycling clothes", but I believe that will change when I release my new fashion / tech line of Electric Bicycling apparel!

I just wear regular clothes. If I were riding a regular bike, I'm more likely to wear bike tights and all that. But with the electric bike, less sweat, less concern for drag, so I go with my regular clothes (unless it rains or if it's really hot).

However, I would LOVE to see bicycle helmets for electric bicyclists:

- Half face and retractable wind screen to keep the bugs and dust out
- Screen meshed air vents.. again to keep the bugs out
- A mount for a mirror since we're more likely to be riding with traffic we'll need to know what's behind us
- Straps that help reduce the wind noise near our ears

Well, to a degree what you're describing, lighter armor and more abrasion resistant gear that falls in between the unarmored cycling clothing and motorcycle armor exists in the form of Freeride/DH protection, as do lighter full-face helmets. If someone was looking for that kind of product, this is already very close to the description - would your product line differ from this design?

A DH helmet with leather is good, like a gravity sports armour suit, especially if you are overvolting.
Safety is the important factor. Get some perforated leather, that'll keep you cool.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/ProductImages/300/2006_Alpinestars_Stage_Perforated_Leather_Jacket.jpg
http://www.classybikes.com/image.php?image_id=244996
http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/forum/attachments/ninjas-mutant-turtle-not/5963d1159175867-new-kawasaki-ninja-zx-r-600-2007-kawasakininjazx6r2007-8301-001-f.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1220/882050367_c2093d9efc.jpg

An electric suit? - my word that does take me back ;)
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa276/Sianelleofavelorn/ElectricSuit.jpg?t=1218255384

I would've thought that some of the gear that those Downhill craz..... I mean riders wear would be highly suitable.

To be honest, I would think some of the more conservative casual looking MTB clothing is the perfect image for E-bikes.

It's basically clothing that looks more normal and casual, but uses the same ripstop type fabrics that provide wind-breaking protection, yet with lycra under-layers for shorts to provide very comfortable riding in the saddle.

I saw a pair of nice khaki cargo pants like this for MTB. They had a thin lycra under-layer (short or FULL LENGTH version) for cool weather riding. Very stylish, yet very comfortable. I think they were even water repellent.

Here they are. Both come with lycra liners with a chamois pad. :D

http://www.agu.com/en/?pag=22&prod=640

http://www.agu.com/img/product/large/Lazio%20pants%20M%20448015.jpg

And capri's for the ladies.

http://www.agu.com/img/product/large/Veneto%20capri%20448050.jpg

I just have to find someone who sells and ships to the USA. :(

Yes, lighter and thinner armor. Hmmm, the DH specific stuff seems like motocross or dirtbike stuff to me. When I compare dirtbike apparel to street apparel at the motorycycle store, they are VERY different. Not just style-wise, either. Seems the "street" stuff has a lot more abrasion resistance, because of higher speeds and danger from other vehicles. The off road gloves I saw were very thin.

I agree with Patriot about how they should look more casual than DH stuff as well. Idealy we'd be able to be comfortable wearing the clothes all day at work.

More weatherproof as well. All pockets must be zippered. Zippered venting. For now, I'm wearing my motorcycle clothes when I ride on the streets.

I believe the Electric Bicycles will get more efficient and faster. I just built my first electric vehicle, and I went with the Crystalyte 5304 (Phoenix Cruiser, from ElectricRider), and it goes FAST! Not quite as fast, but I cruise at forty miles per hour regularly.

I think regular street clothes should suffice on the lower output systems that only do fifteen to twenty miles per hour, but when I'm doing thirty-five to forty, it feels very similar to riding a motorcycle - just more rigid and more "squirrely".

i would go for a mountain biker look

Helmet http://akamai.backcountrystore.com.edgesuite.net/images/items/medium/GIR/GIR0087/MBKC.jpg

Upper body http://static.tramdock.com/images/items/medium/SSO0007/L.jpg

lower body http://akamai.backcountrystore.com.edgesuite.net/images/items/medium/PRO/PRO0042/HMBKR.jpg

gloves http://images.buzzillions.com/images_products/08/69/mens_fox_digit_bike_gloves_unisex_reviews_546739_300.jpg

elbow pads http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/dainese-3x-elbow-guard.jpg

knee pads http://static.tramdock.com/images/items/medium/SSO0009/OS.jpg

But thats just what i think looks cool and functional.