Electric Bikes - Looking for a super-cheap, lightweight ebike?

Hi there! This is my first time posting.

I've been looking at the eZip Trails (women's) as an alternative to a car, because I can't afford a car. But I also ride the bus and need to put my bike on the rack on the front. Sometimes I have trouble getting just my current bike (the women's Avalon by Next, previously sold at Walmart) on/off the rack. I'm 5'4, 110 pounds, and not very strong.

Thus, I need a lightweight bike. I've read that the eZip is about 70 pounds... is the women's any lighter? I don't know if I can lift 70 pounds onto the rack. Can you make any suggestions as to how I can make it lighter? I don't think I'll be able to get a second battery pack if it's that heavy, which would be good to increase my range. =(

Is there another bike in this price range that would be lighter? Or a kit? I've never worked on a bike at all, so I have no idea how to install a kit, but... I could try, get some help, or take it to a shop. How much does it cost to have a kit installed at a shop?

Sadly super-cheap and lightweight are basically mutually exclusive terms when it comes to e-bikes.
Cheap bikes are going to have heavy lead acid batteries.
Light batteries cost heavy money.

Meep. That's not good. Um, another question. Has anyone tried to put the ezip Trails on a bus rack? Did it fit? I'm moving to a new place, so I'm not sure if the buses there will have the same type of rack but it looks like it from the website. Where you set the bike onto the rack in front of the bus, and then pull a thing over the front wheel to secure it. Here's a picture of their bus/rack: http://www.wstransit.com/ride.htm

Maybe you could take off the battery before you load it on the bus. Then you can carry the battery with you seperately. This would reduce the weight of the bike by 18lbs.

Also, consider Currie's other line of bikes - IZIP. The IZIP's are very similar to the EZIP's except they use higher quaility bike parts - including an aluminum frame. By going with an aluminum frame vs. steel, you'll drop another 10lbs. Of course, the IZIP's are a little more expensive (around $649), but they'll be lighter and last longer. Here's a link:

http://www.eco-wheelz.com/catalog/izip-trailz-al-for-women-p-129.php

Do you have much experience with electric bikes? Non-electric bikes? If you have OK bus service that can take you close to your destination, then an electric bike may not be a good choice if you can't afford a pretty good one. If you spent much less money on a better, used, non-electric bike, you might be better off. Electric bikes are great for certain needs but like all choices, you also lose something.

lightweight yes,cheep maybe not.Approx 24kg include the Li+ battery.

Have you tried loading the front wheel first and then the back one?

That way you do not have to lift the whole bike all at once. It you do not get the front position then try lifting the back wheel into the track and then rolling th ebike along the track untill the fronet wheel is in position to be lifted.

When possible ask for help. What is a strain for you may very well be no effort at all for someone else. Most men do not mind being asked and actiually enjoy helping women as long as it is not an unstated part of thier job.