Originally Posted by
TiBikeGuy
Here's my view on E-bikes in a disaster like Hurricane Sandy.
There is flooding in many areas, I don't know if e-bikes work if with the motor under water, If you are riding and there is a fallen tree or collapse road, and you need to carry your bike over this obstacle. E-bikes are not light. Given a situation where you need to climb and hold on with one hand while trying to lift your your bike over. It would be much easier with a 12 kg mtn bike than a 30 kg e-bike.
Charging with solar panels. Given that current photo-voltaic technology, the efficiency of about 20%, it would be quite difficult, but not impossible to charge your e-bike with solar panels. Because even with strong sunlight it would take many hours to fully charge the battery. It would be easier to charge your battries with a generator because you could do it, while you are sleeping so you can get a freshly charged battery when you wake up.
If you are in a situation where you cannot charge your battery, and it goes flat. You will be pedalling with dead weight, E-bikes are not very efficient with a flat battery.
TiBikeGuy, check out this website and YouTube video:
http://www.shuttlebike.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmxKS...eature=related
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