View Single Post
Old 12-18-09 | 01:37 PM
  #10  
Kojak's Avatar
Kojak
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 1
From: PNW - Victoria, BC

Bikes: 2002 Litespeed Vortex - 2007 Trek Madone 5.9 - 2004 Redline Conquest Pro - Specialized S-Works Festina Team Model - 93 Cannondale M 800 Beast of the East

Originally Posted by tjspiel
I like the idea that people are looking at ways to make biking practical for a wider range of people. I guess I question how well it would work in practice. If the idea is to store energy in the flywheel to help you up that hill, what happens if the hill is in the first part of your ride? Then instead of getting a boost, you're just lugging the extra weight.
I agree, but I'm a bit afraid at the same time. With the increasing popularity of electric mopeds and scooters, I see more and more of them in bike lanes and on MUPs. Since a lot of these people are new to cycling (if you can call it that), or returning after many years without riding any kind of two wheel vehicle, their skill set may not be up to the task of handling a bike when they encounter an emergency situation at 20+mph. At least on a non power assist bicycle, most people have to log some pretty good mileage before they can propel a bike at those speeds for prolonged periods of time. And, since my son is not far from being old enough to be out on these MUPs with his bike, my mind can cook up some pretty bad scenarios if suddenly large numbers of people are zipping around on these "powered" vehicles which to date don't seem to fall under any powered vehicle statutes. I also doubt that most towns and cities will keep up with adding the necessary infrastructure to accomodate the additional traffic needs. I realize there are boneheads on bicycles out there as well, but for now that seems manageable.
Kojak is offline  
Reply