Living Car Free - NPR story on electric bikes

Caught this story on NPR this everning about folks in San Francisco who ride electric bikes to work.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93954541

At first, I was a little taken aback. After all, it was a 9 miles roundtrip for their commute, but came to the conclusion that it is a better solution (environmentally, exercize-wise, etc.) than a scooter or a car.

And, of course, SF is a hilly city.

Commuting Without Cars (San Francisco Chronicle 8/25/08):
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/25/BA9812GSKO.DTL&type=green

Commuting Without Cars (San Francisco Chronicle 8/25/08):
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/25/BA9812GSKO.DTL&type=green
It confirms that electric bikes aren't quite as popular as either bikes or scooters. But they seem ideal for a hilly terrain like SF, especially for folks not used to cycling. The good thing about them is that you really need to do some cycling because there's not usually enough juice to go on the electric motor alone.

However, for flat terrain, I'd judge them pretty useless since even those in poorest health can usually get around by a turn of the crank and then coasting a ways.

However, for flat terrain, I'd judge them pretty useless since even those in poorest health can usually get around by a turn of the crank and then coasting a ways.

And . . . . . after a few weeks riding, those in poorest health are in slightly better health, and able to ride further, and riding further gets them in better health, and . . . . . . well, it's a vicious cycle.

I always figured electric powered bikes were kinda useless, since once your fitness level grows, you don't need the electric assist so much, and the weight of the bike becomes a negative.

Real nice idea for a first time cycling commuter, though.

And . . . . . after a few weeks riding, those in poorest health are in slightly better health, and able to ride further, and riding further gets them in better health, and . . . . . . well, it's a vicious cycle.

I always figured electric powered bikes were kinda useless, since once your fitness level grows, you don't need the electric assist so much, and the weight of the bike becomes a negative.

Real nice idea for a first time cycling commuter, though.

It depends, they can be amazingly useful. I bought mine after I broke my neck so I could rebuild my strength (you have to pedal for my bike to move, the throttle in in the bottom bracket, the harder you pedal the more juice to the motor) I've since built a proper commuter, but never out grew the electric. I put an Xtracycle on it and it has become my heavy hauler. I'll never have the strength to carry some of the loads I do with the electric on a non powered bike. Not because I had a spinal injury, but because I'm in my 40's and don't have the genes for it (400 lbs of potting soil was my largest load, I just can't do that without help).

I'll also use it on occasion when I need to be somewhere not drenched in sweat and would not have the opportunity to clean up after I arrived.

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/XtraLite/XL3.jpg

Thanks for the insight - never thought of it in that light.

http://homepage.mac.com/awcg/.Pictures/XtraLite/XL3.jpg

I wish I had the key to your garage! You seem to have the inside tracks on exotic rigs.

Now I want an electric bike... except there's only about one serious hill in my city.

lol
Thanks--they are in the basement btw.

Gives me an excuse to post up my pride and joy again.
http://awcg.com/Allen/Bicycle/X1/Side.jpg
She is back on the road.
Soon to come, double top tube bamboo.

That is beautiful. I actually feel kind of emotional. How does it ride? Links with details?

Commuting Without Cars (San Francisco Chronicle 8/25/08):
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/25/BA9812GSKO.DTL&type=green

From the above article:


In San Francisco, a traffic count by the Municipal Transportation Authority in July found that during a one-hour stretch of the morning commute, there were more bicycles than cars, taxis, buses and streetcars heading eastbound on Market Street. According to Judson True, an authority spokesman, 509 bike riders were tallied compared with 400 cars, 43 taxis and 30 transit vehicles. On Bike to Work Day in May, he said, officials counted twice as many bikes as motorized vehicles.

That is beautiful. I actually feel kind of emotional. How does it ride? Links with details?
Thank you very much.

I split the downtube in a crash. Where the rack (frame mount not fork mount) attaches wrenched sideways taking the tube with it. I've just recently replaced the tube.

It rides as smooth as glass. Wood has amazing vibration dampening qualities.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=376129
^^^
A thread on it's construction and another member's bamboo bikes

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=405675
^^^
It's debut in the Utility forum.

Tabor, I have visited SF only a couple of times, but from my recollection, it is easy to see why you would ride a bike vs. a car. I remember trying to make a trip in car from downtown SF to Sacramento. It took just over 4 hours... most of it in very, very frustrating circumstances. I don't recall ever seeing car traffic move much faster than bicycle speed either.